Opioid Rehab: The Journey to Recovery Begins Here

Many kinds of drugs can contribute to a substance use disorder. Opioids are one of the categories. Opioids include legal drugs prescribed by doctors, such as codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone. They also include illegal drugs, such as heroin and illegally made fentanyl. These drugs bind to receptors in the brain, causing euphoria and a massive reduction in any physical pain the user feels. More than 800,000 Americans died from drug overdoses from 1999 to 2020. Because opioid use disorders are so severe, it is essential to seek professional opioid rehab to recover. 

Opioids produce euphoria and a massive reduction in pain, but continued use past what is appropriate can cause an opioid use disorder (OUD.) The withdrawal symptoms can be so uncomfortable that a person will continue to take the opioids to avoid them. OUD is a chronic condition that occurs when a person takes opioids to the point of negative physical, psychological and social consequences. 

Significance of Opioid Rehab

Although you will not become physically addicted to opioids after only a couple of days, you can get addicted in as little as two weeks if you take opioids regularly. People with OUD may suffer from a variety of symptoms, and there can be negative consequences to a person’s body. These include: 

• Cognitive impairment 
• Chronic pain 
• Respiratory problems 
• Gastrointestinal problems 
• Nausea 
• Drowsiness 
• Overdose 

Overdose

The risk of overdose is the most serious consequence of opioid use disorder. Signs of a possible overdose include such things as: 

• Slow breathing 
• Constricted pupils 
• Cold skin 
• Vomiting 
• Limp body 
• Loss of consciousness 

Call emergency services or 911 immediately when such signs occur. 

Impact on Relationships and Careers

Not only do opioid use disorders hurt a person’s physical and mental health, but they can also hurt their relationships, jobs, and job chances through:

• Strained relationships with family, friends, and co-workers 
• Inability to perform correctly on the job 
• Failure to maintain customer and client relationships 
• Missing meetings and days of work

Impact on Communities

There is an OUD crisis in the United States. As a result, opioid use disorders negatively impact society as a whole through: 

• Increased healthcare costs 
• Lost productivity on jobs 
• Increased burden on social services

If you’re a person who is prescribed opioids by your doctor to take for less than seven to 10 days and you follow their instructions, you do not have an OUD, and you can stop taking the opioids immediately. 

On the other hand, if you’ve been taking opioids past what is acceptable and you’ve developed an OUD, withdrawing immediately without help is never advised. Few people are successful at quitting opioids “cold turkey.” Furthermore, going in that direction can further harm one’s physical and mental health. Professional treatments are safe and far more effective. 

Opioid Rehabilitation Programs: Exploring Options

Here is an overview of the various OUD treatment options that an individual can do to conquer OUD. They include inpatient treatment, residential opioid rehabilitation programs, and outpatient opioid rehabilitation programs. 

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is when an individual receives 24-hour care. In this treatment, the client is in a safe and supportive environment (typically a hospital) for evaluation, treatment and rehab. An essential component of this kind of treatment is that the client is supervised by a medical professional 24 hours a day for any physical or mental complications. 

Residential Opioid Rehabilitation Programs

A residential program for opioid use disorder (sometimes called “inpatient”) is one where the individual must reside in the setting or the duration of the treatment. If the individual leaves before the duration is complete, they harm their recovery. Residential opioid rehab centers typically have a 30- to 90-day commitment. When a person enters into one of these programs, they will find that it is not only highly supportive and safe with counselors who typically have conquered substance use disorders in their own lives but also highly structured to assist with organizing and accountability. There is round-the-clock care and supervision to assist the client’s opioid detoxification process and recovery. It typically includes: 

• Medication-assisted treatment 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy and other mental health services 
• Nutritional counseling 
• Exercise and physical therapy 
• Individual and group counseling 
• Family therapy 
• Aftercare 

Outpatient Opioid Rehabilitation Programs

An outpatient program for opioid use disorder is one where the individual receives treatment while remaining at home. It is a flexible alternative that is desirable to individuals with outside commitments, such as work, that they can still do sufficiently. It is also a cheaper alternative and typically closer to home. 

Whereas a residential program is typically long-term, lasting as much as 90 days, an outpatient program varies in length and intensity. These programs usually include medication-assisted treatment, one-on-one sessions with a healthcare provider, and group therapy sessions.

Examples of Specialized Programs for Opioid Addiction

There are specialized programs for OUD that are of note. These include MAT, behavioral therapy, support groups, and aftercare services. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) 

This method uses medications along with behavioral and counseling treatments to help people deal with withdrawal symptoms, cut down on cravings, and avoid relapse. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are the three drugs that the FDA has allowed to treat opioid use disorder. 

Behavioral Therapy 

Working with a therapist or psychologist to find and deal with the problems that cause substance use disorders is part of this method. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI) are just a few of the different types of behavioral therapy. 

Support Groups

Support groups are safe places for people to talk about their problems and get help from others recovering. When you are trying to stay sober from opioids, peer support groups offer encouragement and help to keep you on the track of sobriety. 

Aftercare Services

The journey to recovery does not stop after inpatient, residential or outpatient care. Aftercare services allow people to return to their everyday lives while still getting the help they need to stay sober. With aftercare services, a person’s recovery from OUD can focus on important issues they may have with abstaining from opioids and remaining sober. There is no finish line for aftercare services. Recovery is a journey and not a destination. 

Understanding the Opioid Detoxification Process

There are many benefits of opioid rehab, and one of them is the opioid detox process. Detoxing from an opioid means removing the substance from your system. 

Explanation of the Opioid Detox Process and Its Importance

These are some examples of the steps involved: 

• Medical evaluation to determine if detoxification is appropriate 
• Creation of a treatment plan and an explanation of the potential risks of medical detox 
• Explanation of what long-term treatment is needed to fully recover after detox 

Insight Into Common Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms and Management Strategies

Because people go through withdrawal symptoms when they stop using opioids, detoxing from them can be a difficult process. Symptoms of withdrawal can be mild to serious and can include feeling sick, throwing up, having diarrhea, having muscle pain, and feeling anxious. 

Overview of Medical Supervision During Opioid Detox

The opioid detoxification process is an important one. The management of these symptoms is an essential part of the detoxification process. The goal of managing opioid withdrawal is to make the client as comfortable as possible while the drugs are leaving their body through medications, therapy, and behavioral therapies. As mentioned earlier, the drugs most commonly used are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.

Comprehensive Opioid Rehab Approaches 

There are various approaches to rehab you can look into for an opioid addiction. 

Holistic Opioid Rehab

Holistic approaches to OUD are natural approaches. They include: 

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation, for example, are powerful tools in the treatment of an opioid substance disorder. These practices teach individuals to remain present at the moment, reducing the likelihood of relapse by helping them manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. 

Nutrition and Exercise

These are also important parts of holistic methods of opioid rehab. A drug use disorder can do a lot of damage to the body, causing poor nutrition, weak immune systems, and other health problems. Clients can start healing their bodies and thoughts by focusing on good nutrition and regular exercise. 

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga, and art therapy, can also be valuable additions to opioid rehab approaches. These non-traditional methods can help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues that may have contributed to their substance use disorder. 

Choosing the Right Opioid Rehab Center

Finding a rehab center that offers evidence-based treatment, personalized care, and ongoing support for OUD is essential. 

Questions to Ask When Evaluating an Opioid Rehab Center

• Is the center accredited and licensed? 
• What is the center’s approach to treatment? 
• What are the center’s staff qualifications and experience? 
• Where is the center located, and what are its amenities? 
• Does the center offer long-term opioid recovery support or aftercare support? 

Benefits of Professional Opioid Rehab

You should never try to detox and heal from OUD without professional help. Doing so could be dangerous. Withdrawal signs can be terrible and may need medical help to handle. Self-treatment may also not deal with the problems that lead to addiction, which raises the chance of relapse. Getting help from a professional to detox and heal from OUD has many benefits. With a structured method and medication-assisted treatment, you can ease withdrawal symptoms and alleviate medical problems. In addition, professional treatment includes psychological support and therapy to address underlying issues. 

Aftercare and Continued Support

Aftercare and continued support are crucial for ensuring long-term success and recovery for individuals who have undergone OUD treatment. Aftercare planning can help people stay sober and avoid future substance use disorders by addressing possible relapse triggers and taking a whole-person approach to recovery. This long-term support is vital as substance use disorders are chronic diseases that require ongoing management and care. 

Aftercare involves a range of support mechanisms:

• Therapy 
• Help with co-occurring mental health issues 
• Support groups 
• Counseling 
• Ongoing monitoring and accountability 
• Additional resources and support 

How to Choose the Best Aftercare and Continued Support Options

One of the most important factors to consider is individual needs and preferences. Each person’s recovery journey is unique, and aftercare programs meet specific needs and preferences. Choosing an aftercare program that aligns with an individual’s goals, values, and lifestyle is essential as this can increase the likelihood of long-term success. Therefore, people should take the time to reflect on their needs and preferences and choose an aftercare program that meets those requirements. 

Also, individuals should choose a program that fits their schedule and allows them to maintain their daily responsibilities while receiving the necessary support. 

Empowering Opioid Addiction Recovery 

Access to a wide range of treatment choices for OUD is crucial. The treatment must take into consideration the physical, mental, and social parts of a substance use disorder and be specially designed for each person. Medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, counseling, and other types of care are typically available. 

If you are struggling with an opioid use disorder in Portland, Maine, you’re not alone, and we encourage you to get help. At Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, Maine, we have years of experience in helping clients detox from drugs and alcohol. We also understand that one of your most significant worries is likely the withdrawal process. But don’t fear; we offer one of the most comfortable medical detox processes around. 

Our staff members are not just professionals; they’re recovering people with substance use disorder themselves, so they understand what you’re going through. We also offer an “open-door” policy, so our recovery center is like a home, not a hospital. Our services are personalized and never one-size-fits-all. We provide inpatient and outpatient services with medical detox, various therapies, and more. Contact us today and begin your journey to sobriety.