Final answer:
The drug of choice for maintenance treatment of opioid abuse is naltrexone, an oral narcotic antagonist that helps maintain long-term abstinence by blocking the effects of opioids without producing euphoria. Psychotherapy and support groups are additionally often part of the treatment plan, especially considering the severity of the opioid crisis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drug of Choice for Maintenance Treatment of Opioid Abuse
The drug of choice for the maintenance treatment of opioid abuse is naltrexone. Available since 1985, naltrexone is an effective narcotic antagonist that is similar to naloxone but with better oral absorption and a longer action, thus requiring only a 50 to 100 mg dose for chronic therapy. Unlike methadone, a synthetic opioid used in treatment programs to help manage withdrawal symptoms, naltrexone does not have euphoric effects and works by blocking the effects of opioids. If a person on naltrexone uses opioids, they would likely experience little or no effects due to naltrexone's blocking action at opioid receptors. This characteristic makes it desirable in narcotic treatment programs where long-term abstinence is the goal.
Patients undergoing treatment for opioid dependence may also receive psychotherapy and participate in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, which complement pharmacotherapy. Other medications, such as buprenorphine, may also be used to alleviate symptoms of opioid withdrawal. This integrated approach to addiction treatment is critical given the severity of the opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by the overprescription of opioid pain medications and the high addiction potential of drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.