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March 2017Vol. 18, No. 1Opioid Addiction Treatment Guide for Families

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction is a prevalent chronic disease with no cure that affects people from all walks of life, their families, and their communities. Although opioid addiction has no cure, much like other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, there are safe treatment options available that can lead to a healthier way of life known as recovery. ASAM's pamphlet, Opioid Addiction Treatment: A Guide for Parents, Families and Friends, illustrates the path toward successful treatment.

The pamphlet outlines approaches to treatment, beginning with assessment and diagnosis; a list of medications currently in use for treating addiction disorders, such as naltrexone and methadone; how to recognize and respond to opioid overdose, such as using Naloxone at the first signs of an overdose; and a list of questions to ask a clinician, such as "Are opioid treatment medications addictive?".

Dos and don'ts for responding to an opioid overdose also are included.

Opioid Addiction Treatment: A Guide for Parents, Families and Friends is available at http://eguideline.guidelinecentral.com/i/706017-asam-opioid-patient-piece.