Mia
The opioid epidemic is a serious issue in the United States. Overdose deaths from prescription and illegal opioids have quadrupled since 1999, and more than half of these deaths involve a prescription opioid. Opioid addiction is also at an all-time high; those who abuse use opioid medications or heroin pose extremely high risks of long-term dependence. If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to opiates, it’s time to break the vicious cycle. Let’s examine how serious opioid addicts can get the help they need with Daymark Recovery Services and what to expect.
Detoxification
The first step in healing from a serious opioid addiction is detoxification. This can be done in a number of ways, including detox at home with the supervision of medical professionals or through an outpatient program when one is available. Detoxing from opioids can cause flu-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Chances are, if it is a severe case, it’ll be treated with medications under the supervision of a medical professional.
Residential treatment
After detoxing, patients will likely be required to enter a recovery program for further treatment. Here, staff will be available 24-hours to administer medications, monitor patients, and help with withdrawal symptoms. This is the most intensive form of rehab and is not necessary for everyone, but it is certainly helpful for people who have developed a serious dependency on opiates. Some inpatient treatment programs take as little as 30 days, but may require up to a 90-day stay for full recovery.
This also includes meetings with therapists, counselors, and medical professionals. The goal here is to help patients understand why they turned to opiates in the first place so that it does not happen again.
Outpatient treatment
After residential treatment, patients sometimes move to an outpatient program where they have more freedom. This type of program is also best for those who cannot afford the residential treatment or do not need such an intense level of scrutiny in order to stay off opioids.
These types of programs usually involve group therapy sessions and/or individual counseling with a therapist as well. This is the stage in the recovery process where recovering addicts will learn how to deal with cravings and prevent a relapse.
Long-term recovery
After completing one of the above programs, it is likely that patients will continue with outpatient care in order to prevent themselves from relapsing and returning back to their addiction. This can be done through mental healthcare providers or other treatment facilities where they feel comfortable and safe enough to discuss any problems or concerns without judgment.
Aftercare is also important for those who have recently completed an inpatient or outpatient program, as it can help them stay sober long after treatment ends. Aftercare may include continued individual counseling sessions, group therapy meetings, 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or other resources that help with long-term addiction recovery.
All of these programs are vital for those who have developed a serious addiction to opioids. The longer a patient stays committed to treatment, the more likely he/she is to succeed in his/her journey towards sobriety and be able to live life without needing opiates.
