If you or a loved one is wrestling with drug addiction, you’re not alone. Almost half of all Americans know a friend or loved one who has struggled with drug addiction.
Addiction to prescription painkillers, including opioids and opiates, has been on the rise. The result has been an epidemic of addiction. Many people are now seeking solutions.
Treatment for opiate addiction does exist. In fact, there are a few choices for effective intervention. If you’re wondering how to get help for opioid addiction, you should know these different options.
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Therapy is Treatment for Opiate Addiction
One theory of addiction says opioid use disorder is a coping mechanism. The person with addiction feels overwhelmed by stress or traumatic events. They then use opiates or other substances to deal with their day-to-day lives.
People who support this theory favor counseling and behavior therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy helps people change negative behaviors such as drug use.
Counseling treats the psychological conditions that led the patient to use opioids.
Medication-Assisted Therapy
Medication-assisted therapy is one of the most effective opioid dependence treatments. It combines counseling and behavior therapy with medicines to help people recover.
Treatment for opiate addiction has to deal with withdrawal symptoms for patients. Using medications such as methadone or suboxone helps people manage withdrawal.
Some people worry that this method is simply swapping one drug for another. Inspire Malibu outlines how managed maintenance helps people give up opioids. MAT reduces the risks of relapse and improves treatment outcomes.
MAT is effective because it manages powerful drug cravings as people undergo counseling.
Residential and Hospital Treatments
The most famous opioid treatment involves people staying at rehabilitation centers.
Both residential and hospital-based treatments draw on options like CBT and MAT. The difference is the setting they’re provided in.
For some people, a residential treatment program may be the right choice. Many others are successfully treated in day-programs. These patients continue living in their own homes while receiving treatment.
If you’re not sure about the types of programs offered in your area, get in touch with service providers. Many offer both day and residential programs. You should also check with your insurance to see if they’ll cover opioid use disorder treatment.
Improving Your Health
Seeking out treatment for opiate addiction is one step on the path to restoring your health. You may want to consider other supports to help you on your road to recovery.
Many people see improved results when they connect with a support network. This can include caring friends and family members, along with healthcare professionals. It may also include others who are traveling the road to recovery.
Improving your diet and adding supplements such as B-complex vitamins could also help. Supplements like melatonin could also help manage withdrawal symptoms like insomnia.
Help Is Out There
When you or someone you love has a drug addiction, you may not know where to turn. After reviewing treatment for opiate addiction options, you should have a better idea of the help that’s available.
Treating an addiction can be a long road, but it is possible. If you’re looking for more advice, take a look around our blog. We have more great articles designed to support you on your journey.