What to Expect From Opioid Addiction Treatment

by Carter Toni

When someone becomes addicted to opioids, it is difficult for them to stop using the drug on their own. They will often need help from a qualified health care provider who can prescribe medication-assisted treatment in order to get clean. This blog post will explore what opioid addiction treatment entails and how people can access this life-saving service.

Rehabilitating drug addicts is never an easy process. Nevertheless it’s a process that has become commonplace all over the world. Taking that first step is never easy, but the faster you decide to step out of the grapes of addiction the faster you will be on the road to recovery.

Enrollment

Opioid addiction treatment requires a person to be enrolled in an opioid addiction program and to take part in the recovery process. This includes receiving counseling, participating in group sessions with other people who are struggling with substance abuse issues and may include accessing medications that are designed to treat cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxification 

In order to enroll in opioid addiction treatment, a person has to first go through detoxification. During this process, the doctor will reduce their dosage of opioids slowly so that they can wean themselves off drugs without suffering from withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and anxiety. The doctor may also prescribe medications that help a patient cope with these side effects.

Inpatient Treatment

During inpatient treatment, the individual lives onsite while receiving around the clock medically supervised addiction treatment. They will also go through detoxification during this time and take part in group counseling sessions with other people who are struggling with addiction issues.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is designed for people who need additional support but do not require the same level of supervision as they would get in an inpatient facility. This is a less intense form of treatment that still provides the patient with counseling, medication assistance, and support from their peers who are also seeking recovery help. However, because they don’t live on-site while receiving treatment, there’s still the flexibility to live at home and participate in other day to day activities like school and work.

Medication, Counseling, and Behavioral Therapy Sessions

Once a person has undergone detoxification, they can begin opioid addiction treatment. During this process, the doctor will prescribe them medication such as buprenorphine or methadone which helps reduce cravings for opioids while addressing withdrawal symptoms. They may also prescribe other medications that help treat anxiety and depression. 

In addition to medication, the doctor may have a patient participate in counseling and behavioral therapy sessions where they can discuss why they turned to drugs (or other addictive behaviors) and strategies for staying clean. 

Depending on the severity of a person’s addiction, this step in recovery may be lifelong. Even if they are not using opioids anymore, patients may have to continue taking medication and attending counseling sessions. 

Meditation, yoga, exercise, art therapy, and acupuncture are some alternative therapies that may help people who are recovering from opioid addiction. 

Getting Help for Addiction 

Opioid addiction treatment can be overwhelming and scary since it requires someone to go through detoxification, enter an inpatient or outpatient facility, participate in counseling sessions, take medication regularly and attend group therapy sessions with other people who are also struggling with substance abuse issues. This process is one that requires motivation, commitment, and determination. 

People who want to stop using opioids should look for clinics or facilities that specialize in opioid addiction treatment so they can receive the support they need. They will also be able to access resources such as counseling services and medical referrals if needed after they recover from their addiction.

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