If you currently know of or have known of an employee that needs drug and alcohol treatment, it is likely that you are frustrated. As an employer, dealing with employee drug or alcohol abuse seems troublesome, and firing that employee altogether seems as if it is the best choice for the company. But that choice may be wrong, and here's why.

Physicians who treat opioid addiction also have the option of utilizing "medication-assisted treatment," and the most common medications used in the treatment of opioid dependence today are methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine (Suboxone). Medication-assisted treatment options benefit patients in staying sober while reducing the side effects of withdrawal and curbing cravings.

A person is said to have physical opioid dependence if they have high 'tolerance' of opioids, meaning they need more of the opioid to get the desired effect. Most patients who seek treatment for opioid addiction also have some degree of physical dependence and need assistance while going through opioid withdrawal.

For patients requiring drug and alcohol treatment, outpatient and residential treatment programs can deliver an essential level of care to achieve long-term recovery. But how does one know whether you or a loved one would benefit from a residential or outpatient program? Both types of treatment have distinctions which make them more or less appropriate for a patient's needs, depending on the patient's level and length of addiction.