Final answer:
Naltrexone is a medication-assisted treatment that is effective for treating opiate dependence as it acts as a long-acting narcotic antagonist, helping individuals aiming to be drug-free by blocking the effects of opiates.
Step-by-step explanation:
One medication-assisted treatment that has significantly positive outcomes for opiate dependence is naltrexone. Naltrexone has been clinically available since 1985 and acts as a narcotic antagonist, similar to naloxone, but it is longer-acting and well-absorbed orally, allowing for chronic therapy with only a daily dose of 50 to 100 mg. This makes it an effective option in narcotic treatment programs, especially for addicts who are motivated to be drug-free as it blocks the effects of opiates. Individuals on naltrexone experience little to no effect from subsequent opiate injections, which can greatly aid in the recovery process.
Other forms of treatment for drug dependence may include psychotherapy, participation in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and temporary use of other psychoactive substances like methadone to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without creating new addictions. Methadone, a synthetic opioid less euphoric than heroin, is commonly used to manage withdrawal symptoms in opioid addicts.