Medication-Based Treatment

Medication-Based Treatment & Recovery Support

Compassionate treatment. Personalized care. A path forward.

Substance use and certain mental health conditions are medical conditions that can be treated. For some patients, medication may be combined with counseling, behavioral therapy, and ongoing medical support as part of a whole-person treatment plan.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes medication combined with counseling and behavioral therapies as a whole-patient approach to treating substance use disorders. [samhsa.gov]

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used in the treatment of opioid use disorder, and it is also commonly used to treat alcohol use disorder. [library.samhsa.gov], [samhsa.gov]

For patients with opioid use disorder, naltrexone is one of three FDA-approved medications identified by SAMHSA TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. [library.samhsa.gov]

Treatment is most effective when it is part of an individualized recovery plan that may also include counseling and other supportive services. [samhsa.gov]

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder. It can help patients stop or reduce opioid use and may help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings. [nida.nih.gov]

Medication treatment for opioid use disorder is evidence-based medical care, not simply replacing one drug with another. SAMHSA notes that medications for substance use disorders can be used alongside counseling and behavioral therapies to support recovery. [samhsa.gov]

Ketamine and Esketamine

Ketamine treatment is different from treatment with naltrexone or buprenorphine.

Ketamine has been studied and used in mental-health treatment, but patients should understand the distinction between ketamine and esketamine. Racemic ketamine itself is not FDA-approved for psychiatric disorders. Its use for conditions such as depression is therefore an off-label use.

Esketamine (Spravato) is a related medication that is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression in adults, either alone or with an oral antidepressant. It is also approved, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. [accessdata.fda.gov]

Esketamine requires medical supervision because important risks include sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and potential abuse or misuse. The FDA requires patients to be monitored for at least two hours after administration. [accessdata.fda.gov]

Potential Benefits of Medication-Based Treatment

For appropriate patients with substance use disorders, medication combined with therapy and recovery support may:

Help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. [samhsa.gov], [nida.nih.gov]

Support continued participation in treatment and recovery services. [samhsa.gov]

Reduce illicit opioid use. [samhsa.gov]

Improve survival for patients receiving medication treatment for substance use disorders. [samhsa.gov]

Provide an evidence-based treatment option as part of a comprehensive recovery plan. [library.samhsa.gov], [samhsa.gov]

Treatment Starts With the Right Evaluation

There is no single treatment that is right for everyone.

Your healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms, substance-use history, mental and physical health, current medications, and treatment goals to determine which options may be appropriate.

Lighthouse Wellness Clinic

Confidential care. Compassionate support. Personalized treatment.

Seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness. It is an important step toward improving your health and well-being.