Opioid addiction is a global disaster that has caused the untimely deaths of countless thousands, far before their time. When you or a loved one are dealing with an opioid dependency, it can be overwhelming emotionally for everyone affected, and oftentimes extremely challenging to figure out exactly to treat it. Every individual is different, and not every case of opioid addiction is going to be effectively treated the exact same way. However, regardless of the means of recovery you choose, it’s imperative that the person suffering from the affliction is truly ready to commit to this change in their life.
Any form of opioid addiction treatment is going to have a significantly better chance of working in the long run if the person truly wants it to. If you or a loved one are going through the difficulties of opioid addiction, but feel ready to make an earnest effort for recovery, the very first step is letting yourself believe that it can be accomplished. It can be a challenging road, but with belief and resiliency it’s something that you are fully capable of. Once you’ve reached the point where you feel ready to start taking the steps toward recovery, the two most popular methods of treatment for opioid addiction, which oftentimes go hand in hand, are rehabilitation programs and maintenance medications.
Most Effective Treatment Options
- Rehabilitation Programs
Many people attempting to recover from opiate addiction have found rehab programs to be very effective. If you decide to take this route to recovery, you have the option of attending either an in-patient or out-patient rehabilitation clinic. At an in-patient clinic, you temporarily move in to a rehab facility, and typically remain there for a set amount of time. At an out-patient clinic, you would instead report to the clinic for a few hours on a daily basis, receiving consultation and treatment while you’re there. For the most serious addictions, in-patient facilities are usually recommended. These facilities have the benefit of 24/7 care, and the absence of any temptations of the outside world. Rehab programs offer regular therapy and the assistance of professionals, who are trained to help make sure that you have the tools needed for your recovery to stick in the long term. In many cases, these programs will treat you with medication to help you get past the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and some programs even prescribe the use of long-term maintenance medications, which we will talk about next.
- Long-Term Maintenance Medications
One type of treatment that is becoming more and more common for opioid addiction is the prescription of long-term maintenance medications, such as buprenorphine and methadone. These medications are designed to help you avoid the painful, debilitating symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and also to help you stay free of the cravings or need for opiates in the long-term. Both buprenorphine and methadone, when prescribed, are taken regularly either indefinitely, or for a set treatment duration before being gradually tapered off. Each patient is going to have different needs in terms of their dosage and duration of use. Of the two medications, many people are beginning to prefer buprenorphine, as it also has a component in it called naloxone, which prevents the patient from experiencing a high.
It is very common for both in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation center to offer one or both of these medications as part of their program, but people also commonly begin taking them with the guidance of a private physician. Typically in these cases, outside counseling of some kind is recommended to supplement the medication, and improve the odds of long-term success. Remember, if you or someone you love is dealing with opioid addiction, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There are resources out there that can help, and there are excellent treatment options for anyone who is truly serious about recovery. If you or your loved one is ready to get started with treatment, we are here and ready to help. Please call us today at 844-844-3463.