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Opiate Rehab

Get to know everything about Opiate Rehabilitation

How effective is Opiate Rehab?

Overdoses from opiates are such a common event today that the medical community has labeled the number of deaths resulting from overdoses an epidemic in the U.S. Two different types of detoxification are currently offered: short-term and long-term maintenance treatment.

Short-Term Detox – Short-term detox lasts three to twelve weeks. During this time, a host of withdrawal symptoms occur.

Long-Term Maintenance – Long-term maintenance occurs after the initial short-term detox and lasts for the rest of the addict’s life. During this time, health and social problems are addressed.

Intensive psychotherapy is begun in the short-term detox phases and lasts throughout the long-term maintenance to solidify new behaviors. Medications, such as methadone and buprenorphine, are often used during the initial detox phase. These drugs can help the addict with some withdrawal symptoms. Both drugs are heavily regulated in the United States and are only obtained through a licensed physician in a drug treatment program.

Methadone is given in licensed drug treatment centers and is proven effective in long-term studies. Selected patients are allowed to have take-home doses. Buprenorphine is also given at licensed drug treatment centers, but some physicians’ offices also prescribe this drug. It is dispensed at community-based pharmacies. It is also proven effective for addicts of low-dose opiates. There is no “magic pill” that will wipe away opiate addiction, but many patients have found success with medicines when they have had a hard time getting clean on their own. In addition to medicines, the underlying mental health issues need to be addressed. This is crucial to the success of a patient recovering and building a new life without drugs and alcohol.

How do I choose the right Opiate Rehab Center?

The best place to recover from an opiate-based drug is an inpatient treatment center that specializes in this type of treatment. Opiates are very addictive due to the sense of relief from pain a person feels when taking the drug. Many opiate addicts do not start out intending to abuse the drug, but rather become addicted after suffering from pain due to an injury or surgery. Codeine, morphine, pethidine, diamorphine, and paracetmol are drugs in the opiate family, but heroin is the most commonly known illegal form of opiates. Codeine and morphine are the two most commonly prescribed opiates. These Schedule II controlled substances are highly addictive, which means that a person using these drugs can develop a tolerance and may use more of the drug to obtain the desired effect.The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) states the most common source of drug overdose resulting in death comes from opiates. Opioid prescription drugs are the leading cause of drug overdose related deaths. If a person has suffered and survived an opiate overdose, they can recover at a long term treatment center.

To find the best recovery center for an opiate addict, find a treatment center that has been licensed by the state and local governments. Many government websites provide a list of licensed mental health and addiction facilities. There are also many accreditation sites such as:

  • Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
  • Council on Standards (COA)
  • Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC)

Inpatient rehabilitation programs can last from a few weeks up to six months to complete, depending on the depth of the addict’s drug abuse. If an overdose has occurred, the patient should receive counseling to prevent future overdoses. Counseling provides patients with information about risk factors for opiate overdose such as:

  • Loss of tolerance to the opiate which results in the addict taking too much of the drug to obtain the same high
  • Poly-drug abuse including abuse of opiates with other drugs or alcohol
  • Changes/Increases in the purity of a street bought drug
  • Severe depression or another psychological disorder may cause someone to over dose as a way of attempting suicide
  • Physical diseases of the liver or kidneys may prevent an addict from properly absorbing opiates

Cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and one-on-one counseling sessions also provide the addict with coping skills and information they will need to live a drug free life.

How expensive is Opiate Rehab?

While some luxury rehab facilities can cost tens of thousands of dollars, there are many affordably priced treatment facilities. Some of the mid to high range centers accept insurance coverage for some or all of their services, making these centers within reach also. Contacting your insurance company’s service department and checking your coverage benefits is the first step. If you do not have insurance coverage and still need detoxification or treatment services, there are a number of websites specifically designed for helping addicts find the best treatment facility for their needs.

Before choosing any drug rehabilitation facility, check to see if the center is licensed by the state and accredited by a reputable health care accrediting body. Each client should have a case manager or primary counselor who will assist the addict in identifying areas where change needs to occur. As a patient works towards sober living, full day programs should be in place to help support and identify any needs that may arise. Many programs employ a 12-step recovery program as the foundation for sobriety.

Opiate addiction can have a severe effect on your way of life

Surf City Recovery offers comprehensive opiate detox treatment for all patients suffering from such an addition. Our detox program includes group and family therapy along with one-on-one counseling sessions to help patients cope with their addiction.

FOR MORE DETAILS

(714) 841-3863