Naltrexone: Medication-Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder
When I write blog articles, my inspiration is drawn from the courageous patients who are re-writing the stories of their lives. Usually when I ask for permission to tell someone’s story, changing a few details to keep it confidential, people are willing to share. When I talked to Ben about sharing his story, he offered to write it in his own words. Clearly, I couldn’t have said it any better.
Here is Ben’s Story:
“After sustaining injuries during college football I was introduced to opiate painkillers. During my senior year of college I progressed to using Oxycontin without doctors’ prescribing them to me. After graduating and having free time on my hands my tolerance began to climb out of control. After getting married, I moved 600 miles away from home, where I didn’t know anyone in an attempt to stop using. I didn’t use for about a year, but only because I didn’t know anyone to get it from. I slowly learned the difference between choosing to quit and being unable to use.
My wife was homesick and wanted to move back home and thought I was better but subconsciously I knew I was going to start using again, even feeling excited about it. I told myself everything would be ok and under control. I got high the day I moved back home.
I worked long hours fueled by being high all the time and built a successful business from the ground up. The business that I worked so hard to build ended up causing my addiction to grow even faster. I had complete flexibility with my schedule and I used the funds to buy large quantities of oxycodone. At the worst point I was spending $10,000 a month on drugs while at home my wife struggled to pay the bills.
I had to beg investors for more money to make ends meet at my business. It all came to a head when my wife started catching me using at home and at my office. I knew I had to make the choice to get better or I would lose my wife and son, who is due in April.
After a brief unsuccessful stint with Suboxone therapy, my counselor recommended the Coleman Institute. I had nothing else to lose so…. why not? I am here today writing this down, just before having my naltrexone pellet implant--with high hopes for the future. I’m ready to wake up tomorrow and start a new life.”
The Accelerated Opioid Detox at the Coleman Institute is unique. Ours is an outpatient medical detoxification process, allowing loved ones to participate in the care of their child, spouse, or friend. Our staff continues to be recognized for the competent, compassionate, and high quality care we deliver. Our office is one of the earliest utilizers of naltrexone as a highly effective Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction.
Because of our success using naltrexone, many other doctors around the country have sought training in our methods and have joined the Coleman Institute team. We now have locations in 14 cities across the United States. To learn more about having a Medication-Assisted Treatment that does not produce physical dependency (like buprenorphine or methadone do), please give us a call.
Joan R. Shepherd, NP
