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Opiate Addiction Treatment

The Mental Health Services Administration estimates that over 21 million Americans struggle with at least one addiction. While you might feel alone in your drug addiction treatment journey, there are millions out there just like you.

The first step towards sobriety is seeking treatment. If you or a loved one are addicted to opioids, contact Next Step Recovery today to receive the best care for successful recovery.

What are Opiates?

Opiates, also referred to as opioids or prescription opioids, are synthetic substances that were originally created for chronic pain relief and surgical sedation. Some examples of common opiate pain medications include OxyContin, Vicodin, Codeine, Morphine, and Fentanyl.

Originally used for severe medical issues, these drugs have become abused quickly by millions of Americans. Opioid addiction treatment has become one of the biggest sectors in the addiction treatment realm.

Symptoms of Opiate Substance Abuse and Withdrawal

Due to the euphoric and sedative effects of opiates, they can quickly become addictive, even after just a few uses. Acute opioid withdrawal can occur shortly after the last dose wears off, causing the cycle of opioid use disorder to continue.

Depending on the scale of opioid drug abuse, the withdrawal side effects you experience may vary. Since opioids have short-acting effects on the body, withdrawal generally happens suddenly.

You may experience initial symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, and increased blood pressure. As the process continues, you may begin to experience psychological side effects including agitation, paranoia, anxiety, and mood swings.

In order to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, you should go through the withdrawal process at a licensed opioid treatment program.

This way, you can be monitored by medical professionals and given additional treatment options to aid in recovery. One of these options may include medication-assisted treatment or medically supervised detox.

How Do Opioids Affect the Brain?

When you take opioids, they target opioid receptors in the brain in order to produce a feel-good effect. Specifically, opioid medications trigger the release of endorphins, which increases your feelings of pleasure. 

But overtime, your brain will need a higher dose of the opioid drugs in order to feel the same effects. This results in many people increasing their dosage, taking the drugs more frequently, illegally obtaining the drugs, and/or practicing opioid misuse. Feeling like you need more of the opioid in order to experience pleasurable feelings can lead to addiction. 

Who is at Risk for Opioid Addiction?

You might be at higher risk of developing an opioid addiction if you:

  • Take more of the drug than your doctor prescribes
  • Obtain opioids illegally
  • Take opioid medications for more than a few days
  • Have a history of depression
  • Have a history of substance abuse
  • And many others
 

The above list is just a few of the potential factors that can put you at increased risk of developing an opiate addiction. Genetic, psychological, and enviornmental factors also play a role. Additionally, research has found that even after only taking opiates for a few days, you increase your risk of addiction. 

Do I Need Treatment?

Many patients often wonder if their substance use is bad enough to need treatment. If you answer yes to any of these statements, it may be time to seek treatment:

  • Hiding your substance use from others, or isolating yourself in order to use alone.
  • Experiencing financial loss or property loss due to the need to fund your addiction.
  • Losing family relationships and romantic relationships due to substance use.
  • Trying to withdraw on your own, but quickly falling back into using once withdrawal symptoms set in.
  • Having additional mental health and physical health emergencies caused by your addiction.
  • Researching alcohol and drug rehab centers, but backing out at the last minute due to fear of getting sober.

Opiate Addiction Treatment Process

If you have never been in any addiction treatment programs, you may be wondering how they are structured, and which style of programming will best fit your treatment needs.

Detox and Initial Steps

Generally, before you can move into a residential treatment facility or complete outpatient treatment, you will need to go through the detox process.

During this time, you will be monitored by healthcare professionals in a comfortable environment to minimize discomfort and side effects.

During the detox process, you may be offered medication-assisted treatment, which involves the use of medications like Sublocade and Vivitrol to ease cravings and work to lessen urges and withdrawal side effects.

Residential Treatment

This form of addiction treatment, also called inpatient treatment, is where patients live the rehab centers for a certain period of time.

The length of your stay will depend on a variety of things, including insurance and payment, substance abuse history, medical history, and therapeutic needs.

In inpatient rehab centers, you will have access to individual and group therapy for mental health services and substance abuse recovery.

You may also have access to support groups and other therapies like music and art therapy. Additionally, you may have resources like cognitive behavioral therapies, dual diagnosis treatment, and other therapies to assist in addiction treatment and mental health disorders, if present.

Intensive Outpatient Program Style and Benefits

Generally, an IOP model involves the patients coming to the treatment center for a few hours per day, multiple days per week, usually totaling around 15-20 hours per week.

Intensive outpatient programs offer a variety of different treatment models to address mental health issues and addiction issues. You may have a variety of program offerings including individual counseling for mental health and group therapy for addiction recovery.

Depending on the treatment center, you may also participate in support groups like AA and NA, as well as other therapeutic activities like music therapy and art therapy.

Outpatient treatment offers a holistic approach to get to the root of your alcohol or drug addiction. This treatment modality will help you address any emotional issues, identify triggers, discover relapse prevention techniques, and work to address the root cause of your substance abuse.

Opiate Rehab Near Me

Addiction treatment centers can be tricky to navigate, especially if this is your first time seeking drug rehab or outpatient treatment. 

At Next Step Recovery, we offer a private and convenient solution for you to take control of your substance abuse and achieve long-term recovery. 

When you receive addiction treatment from Next Step Recovery, you are taking the most important step to stay sober and break free from addiction. 

Our treatment center team can help you verify your insurance coverage and answer any additional questions you may have. Contact us today to receive personalized care for your substance use particular needs.

We’re Here To Help with Your Opioid Addiction

At our rehab facility in Charlotte, we provide our patients with the highest level of care and ensure that their needs are met throughout their journey while encouraging them to take action to improve their lives. There is hope, and there is a way out of addiction. We want to assist you in getting the help you need and deserve. 

Reach out to Next Step Recovery today to learn about our recovery program and which program may best fit your needs. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you along your journey to recovery.

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Sandy Stader

Medically Reviewed By Susan Stader MS, LCMH, LCAS, CCS

Susan Stader is the founder and director of Next Step Recovery and NSR of Asheville, an Intensive Outpatient Program and a Long-term Extended Care program in Asheville, NC. She received her Master’s in Community Counseling in 2004 at Western Carolina University and went on to get her licensure in addictions and mental health counseling. Susan believes that treatment should be gender-specific and offered in a small setting. Small recovery communities, such as hers, are more intimate and effective in overall client satisfaction and care.

Reach Out Today

Recovery is a lifelong journey, but you don’t need to take it alone. At Next Step Recovery, we give you the tools and support you need to get through early sobriety and find lasting healing. It is our goal to empower our patients to be their best selves and live the life they deserve.

If you have any questions about our programs, methods, insurance, or anything else, reach out to us today. We look forward to helping you to get started along the road to recovery!

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Our goal is to help you overcome your addiction and develop the tools you need for a sustainable recovery. Give us a call to learn more about our addiction treatment programs for men.