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Abstinence from drugs is the hope for all addicts, and especially for the ones that keep relapsing on heroin and prescription pain killers. Addicts, families, and a lot of addiction professionals have decided that abstinence must be the bar to reach and hold. The problem is that most opioid addicts can’t hold on and relapse repeatedly, and they suffer in many ways from that.

Abstinence is considered “normal” behavior when it comes to opioids, so we shoot for that with addicts. But “normal” isn’t normal for addicts. Normal, in an addict’s mind, is to be free from cravings that consume their lives. For most addicts, the cravings remain even when they abstain from using, which leads to multiple relapses or a life overshadowed by cravings.

Non-addicts can’t relate to these overwhelming cravings, so they don’t understand why an addict that is clean from opioids would start on Buprenorphine Maintenance. “Why give an opioid to an addict?” is the usual argument. And the answer is, “So they can live a normal life, free of cravings, and safer from relapse”.

When long-term recovery is achieved on the first or second attempt, Maintenance may not be necessary. If an addict feels constant cravings though, using or clean, they should strongly consider going on Maintenance.

For more information:
Methadone Maintenance Brings Positive Outcomes
Methadone Maintenance