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4
TREATMENT OVERVIEW
During the assessment, the clinician will also identify the
patient's psychological and social support needs. They will likely
recommend counseling or recovery support services, such as
mutual support group participation. However, participation in
counseling and other support services should not be required to
receive treatment with medication. If the patient does participate
in mutual support groups it is important to find a group that is
supportive of the use of medications for opioid use disorder.
While a comprehensive assessment and medical evaluation are
important for developing a treatment plan, completion of all
assessments should not delay or prevent the patient from starting
medication.
After the assessment, the clinician will discuss all recommended
treatment options with the patient. Every patient situation
is different, so choosing the best options is a shared decision
between the patient and the clinician.
There are three main choices for medication to treat opioid
addiction: methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. These
medications are typically recommended in combination with
counseling and other support services.
There are a range of different treatment options depending on the
severity of the patient's illness and other factors. ASAM describes
four broad levels of care:
• ASAM Level 1 - Outpatient treatment. For example,
treatment with buprenorphine or naltrexone with a primary
care provider.
• ASAM Level 2 - Intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization.
In IOP and PHP programs the patient receives over 9 or 20
hours per week of treatment services, respectively.
• ASAM Level 3 - Residential treatment. Residential treatment
programs provide treatment in a safe, homelike setting where
the patient can practice skills needed for recovery.
• ASAM Level 4 - Hospital inpatient treatment. Inpatient
treatment may be needed for patients with severe medical or
psychiatric problems that require medical and nurse care.
It's important to discuss the many different treatment options with
the clinician to determine which is most appropriate.
