Treatment for opioid addiction is different for each person. Here at Crossroads, our main goal for treatment is to help you stop using the drug. Opioid addiction often requires the use of partial opiate agonists like Buprenorphine, for ambulatory detox, and often for maintenance therapy.
Abstinence treatment is also an alternative with the use of Naltrexone (Vivitrol) monthly injections. Medicine can help with your physical addiction to opioids, but you may also need help with your mental or emotional addiction to opioids. Counseling can help you learn how to manage the underlying psychological issues behind your addiction. Together, these treatments help you avoid opioids, deal with cravings, and heal damaged relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions, Drug Addiction Treatment in Baton Rouge and Gonzales
What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and how does it work for opioid addiction?
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling, support, and ongoing medical care to help people recover from opioid use disorder. At Crossroads Recovery Center of Louisiana, MAT options may include Suboxone, buprenorphine, Sublocade, Brixadi, and Vivitrol, prescribed when clinically appropriate as part of a broader treatment plan.
Which medication-assisted treatment is most effective for opioid dependency?
Effectiveness depends on the individual — factors like how long someone has used opioids, other health conditions, and personal treatment goals all affect which medication works best. A confidential assessment with a Crossroads provider is the starting point for determining the right medication and dosage for your specific situation.
Suboxone vs. methadone: which is better for opioid addiction treatment?
Both are FDA-approved and effective, but they work differently and are typically dispensed through different settings — methadone often requires daily visits to a specialized clinic, while Suboxone (buprenorphine) can often be prescribed for take-home use once stabilized. Crossroads' outpatient model is built around Suboxone-based MAT combined with counseling and medical oversight.
Is medication-assisted treatment better than inpatient rehab for opioid addiction?
They serve different needs rather than one being universally "better." Inpatient rehab provides 24-hour supervised care, while outpatient MAT — like the model at Crossroads — allows patients to continue working, caring for family, and living at home while receiving medical treatment, counseling, and medication management on a schedule built around their life.
How do I choose the right treatment for opioid use disorder?
The right treatment depends on the severity of use, any co-occurring medical or mental health conditions, and what level of daily structure a person needs. Crossroads' initial assessment reviews substance use history, medical needs, treatment goals, and insurance information to help determine whether outpatient MAT, ambulatory detox, counseling, or telemedicine is the appropriate starting point.
Is medication-assisted treatment or naltrexone-only treatment better for opioid recovery?
Naltrexone-based treatment (like Vivitrol) works differently than buprenorphine-based MAT — it blocks opioid effects entirely rather than reducing cravings and withdrawal, and requires a period of detox before starting. Crossroads offers both approaches, including Vivitrol, and helps determine which fits a patient's specific recovery stage.
What makes a treatment plan effective for long-term opioid recovery?
Long-term recovery typically requires more than medication alone — combining MAT with professional counseling, addressing co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression, and building ongoing support are what most reliably sustain recovery over time. Crossroads' team combines medication management with counseling for this reason.
Does Crossroads treat co-occurring conditions alongside drug addiction?
Yes. Crossroads' physicians, nurse practitioners, and counselors — with over 50 years of combined experience — also treat conditions that often accompany addiction, including anxiety, depression, hypertension, and Hepatitis C.
