Can opioid addiction be treated?

Yes. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. A person with addiction can regain a healthy, productive life.

To do that, most people need help to change their addictive behavior into non-addictive, healthful patterns. This process is called treatment, and involves doctors and substance use treatment providers providing patients with comprehensive, long-term care, with the goal of moving into recovery, and beginning to live healthy, addiction-free lifestyles.

Managing an opioid addiction can be an incredibly difficult, lifelong struggle. Which is why you should take every precaution possible to avoid becoming addicted in the first place. Talk with your health care professional to learn more.