Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Program
Keystone Health’s Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Program (MOUD) helps people heal from opioid use.
These questions and answers about medications for addiction treatment at Keystone can help you decide if it is right for you.
What is opioid use disorder?
Opioids are drugs that reduce pain. Doctors may prescribe opioids for injuries or to relieve pain after surgery. Common prescriptions include oxycodone and hydrocodone. Drugs like heroin and fentanyl are also opioids. Using prescription opioids for a long time, or taking too many, can cause serious health problems. This is called opioid use disorder. A person with opioid use disorder can have physical, mental, or relationship problems.
How is opioid use disorder treated?
Treatment for opioid use disorder can include medicines or therapy. The medicines can stop cravings and help with withdrawal. Therapy can help a person with their behavior while in recovery.
Learn more about how therapy can help, here.
What medicines treat opioid use disorder?
Doctors use three medicines to treat opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Your doctor will talk about which is right for you.
How do the medicines work?
Medicines for opioid use disorder are taken by mouth or injected with a needle. These medicines reduce a person’s need for opioids and help with withdrawal. Some medicines are daily, but others are monthly. Your doctor will talk about which one is best for you.
What is treatment like at Keystone Health?
You can get medicines for addiction treatment from our doctors in behavioral health, family medicine, and women’s care (see below for contact information). If you receive medicines for addiction treatment, you will meet often with your doctor to see how you are feeling. There are more appointments at the beginning but once you start feeling better appointments are monthly.
Some of your appointments will include a urine drug test. Your doctor will review your results to make sure the treatment is working. They will help you if any problems happen.
Do the medicines have side effects?
Yes. Side effects are constipation, sweating, dry mouth, headache, and nausea. You may also have trouble sleeping or feel like you have a cold. Injections may cause temporary pain at the injection site. Your doctor can help you reduce any side effects you may have.
Can I get treatment if I’m pregnant?
If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, talk with your doctor about opioid use disorder treatment choices.
Who should I call if I have questions?
We offer treatment at the following Keystone Health locations:
Keystone Women’s Care: (717) 709-7990
- Thomas Orndorf, MD
Keystone Family Medicine: (717) 709-7999
- Barbara Haeckler, MD
Keystone Behavioral Health: (717) 709-7930
- Irakli Mania, MD
- Zeeshan Faruqui, MD
- Andrew Stowell, PA-C
