Do you or someone you love have a problem with pain killers or other opiates?
At STARS, we are currently recruiting for several federally funded treatment studies for pain killers and other opiate abusers. Dependence on opioids is a serious public health problem with an increasing number of individuals becoming addicted each year. Individuals who are dependent on pain killers or other opiates often find themselves using more over time and unable to stop using on their own due to physical discomfort. Finding ways to break the cycle of using can be very challenging. In addition to its devastating impact on relationships, employment, health, and overall well-being, individuals using opioids are often also struggling with other untreated difficulties, such as anxiety or depression. Finding the right program is essential. STARS currently has two treatment options that provide both inpatient detoxification and outpatient treatment, as well as comprehensive psychiatric and medical assessments. Anyone who uses pain killers or other opiates and wants treatment will be considered for these research studies.
Treatment Option 1:
This treatment begins with an approximate 8-day inpatient detoxification. The detoxification stay includes the use of new and established medications used as necessary to keep patients comfortable. Following the detoxification, participants are offered outpatient treatment up to six months, attending the STARS clinic at least twice a week. Patients receive intensive counseling along with the medication naltrexone. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the intoxicating effects of pain killers and other opiates, but itself is not an opiate. When taken regularly, it can help to stop opiate-taking behavior. Patients are routinely seen by therapists, psychiatrists and medical staff. Lastly, significant others are involved in the counseling to help promote gains made in treatment.
To learn more about this treatment please visit the National Institutes of Health clinical trials website.
Treatment Option 2:
This treatment also begins with an 8-day inpatient detoxification, followed by three months of outpatient care. The outpatient treatment consists of three weekly visits to the STARS clinic during which patients receive comprehensive care to help maintain abstinence. Patients are routinely seen by therapists, psychiatrists and medical staff. All patients receive naltrexone, the medication that blocks the effects of opiates. There is also strong support from research that other drugs may be effective in treating opiate dependence. Patients are randomly assigned to take memantine, an FDA approved medication, or placebo (non active medication). At the conclusion of treatment, further referrals are offered to all patients. Follow up assessments are also done at one, two, and three months after the completion of treatment.
To learn more about this treatment please visit the National Institutes of Health clinical trials website.
At STARS, we are currently recruiting for several federally funded treatment studies for pain killers and other opiate abusers. Dependence on opioids is a serious public health problem with an increasing number of individuals becoming addicted each year. Individuals who are dependent on pain killers or other opiates often find themselves using more over time and unable to stop using on their own due to physical discomfort. Finding ways to break the cycle of using can be very challenging. In addition to its devastating impact on relationships, employment, health, and overall well-being, individuals using opioids are often also struggling with other untreated difficulties, such as anxiety or depression. Finding the right program is essential. STARS currently has two treatment options that provide both inpatient detoxification and outpatient treatment, as well as comprehensive psychiatric and medical assessments. Anyone who uses pain killers or other opiates and wants treatment will be considered for these research studies.
Treatment Option 1:
This treatment begins with an approximate 8-day inpatient detoxification. The detoxification stay includes the use of new and established medications used as necessary to keep patients comfortable. Following the detoxification, participants are offered outpatient treatment up to six months, attending the STARS clinic at least twice a week. Patients receive intensive counseling along with the medication naltrexone. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the intoxicating effects of pain killers and other opiates, but itself is not an opiate. When taken regularly, it can help to stop opiate-taking behavior. Patients are routinely seen by therapists, psychiatrists and medical staff. Lastly, significant others are involved in the counseling to help promote gains made in treatment.
To learn more about this treatment please visit the National Institutes of Health clinical trials website.
Treatment Option 2:
This treatment also begins with an 8-day inpatient detoxification, followed by three months of outpatient care. The outpatient treatment consists of three weekly visits to the STARS clinic during which patients receive comprehensive care to help maintain abstinence. Patients are routinely seen by therapists, psychiatrists and medical staff. All patients receive naltrexone, the medication that blocks the effects of opiates. There is also strong support from research that other drugs may be effective in treating opiate dependence. Patients are randomly assigned to take memantine, an FDA approved medication, or placebo (non active medication). At the conclusion of treatment, further referrals are offered to all patients. Follow up assessments are also done at one, two, and three months after the completion of treatment.
To learn more about this treatment please visit the National Institutes of Health clinical trials website.
The Substance Treatment and Research Service of Columbia University (STARS) provides free and confidential treatment of substance abuse in the context of a research treatment clinical trial.
Cutting edge approaches to treating addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, narcotic pain pills or marijuana are available in a supportive and professional environment.
Cutting edge approaches to treating addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, narcotic pain pills or marijuana are available in a supportive and professional environment.
