Join Together

About the author: Join Together is a community support organization that creates action kits about drug abuse that encourage a broad array of groups and individuals to take action on timely issues affecting their communities.

The various treatments for heroin addiction fall into two categories: drug and nondrug treatments. Once detoxification has occurred in which the patient gradually adjusts to being heroin-free, either or both treatments can commence. Of the drug treatments, methadone is the most widely prescribed. This treatment uses methadone as a substitute for heroin because methadone satisfies the addict's craving without causing the harmful side effects associated with heroin use. LAAM (levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol) is used like methadone, but LAAM has the benefit of lasting longer than methadone. Both Naloxone and Naltrexone counteract the effects of heroin and help prevent relapse. Nondrug treatments include contingency management therapy...