Advances in opiate addiction treatment programs have tried to keep pace with the surging opioid addiction problem in the US. Estimates point out that anywhere from 1.2 million to 2.6 million Americans may be addicted to opioid or synthetic opioid painkillers, and this number seems to be rising as the epidemic of illegal prescription drug purchases blossoms.

Today, clinicians utilize two other, more modern forms of opiate addiction treatment. The first is so called rapid detox under anesthesia. This procedure can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 and beyond, and it typically lasts around a week. Addicts are weaned off of opioids under the supervision of a medical staff in an ICU. Drugs are used to combat withdrawal symptoms, and all sorts of monitoring systems are required to make sure the patients' vital stains are up to spec.

There is a far less invasive -- and more medically recommended -- alternative to all the aforementioned treatment projects. Addiction treatment through buprenorphine therapy provides a palatable alternative to methadone substitution treatment. In many cases, patients can be treated in an out patient basis. In other words, they can continue with their daily routines notwithstanding the buprenorphine intake. Buprenorphine also organically blocks the uptake of "less clingy" opioids, like hydrocodone and oxycodone.

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