Opioids may interact with other drugs and are only safe to use with other drugs under a physician's supervision. Typically, they should not be used with substances such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines. These drugs slow down breathing, and their combined effects could risk life-threatening respiratory depression. Chronic use of opioids can result in tolerance to the drugs so that higher doses must be taken to obtain the same initial effects. Options for effectively treating addiction to prescription opioids are drawn from experience and research on treating heroin addiction.
Some examples follow.
Methadone, a synthetic opioid that blocks the effects of heroin and other opioids, eliminates withdrawal symptoms, and relieves drug craving. It has been used for over 30 years to successfully treat people addicted to opioids. Naltrexone is a long acting opioid blocker often used with highly motivated individuals in treatment programs promoting complete abstinence, and also to prevent relapse. Buprenorphine, another synthetic opioid, will soon be available. Also, naloxone counteracts the effects of opioids and is used to treat overdoses.