Opiate Rehab

Opiate Rehab

Opiates are a class of drugs that describe a number of different illicit substances. A variety of different narcotic painkillers fall under the categorization of opiates, as does heroin.  Heroin use is widespread in the United States, but painkillers are the top abused prescription drug. “Street drugs” are harder to obtain, and as a result, prescription drug abuse is even more extensive.  Today, children as young at the eighth grade have tried prescription narcotics like Vicodin or Percocet. As these drugs are highly addictive, there is a need for rehab to truly achieve long-term recovery.

Why Is Opiate Rehab Important?

Opiates are physically addictive in nature, which means that the body becomes dependent on them. When addicts stop using this kind of drug, there are physical withdrawal symptoms that surface. These symptoms can make it challenging to stop using the drug, and with opiates, addicts also struggle with depression and anxiety.

Few addicts have a sufficient support system at home or the coping skills they need to overcome addiction on their own. A rehab facility ensures that the full support that addicts require is at their disposal. At treatment centers, addicts have the support of others who share their struggle with opiate addiction as well as the support of addiction counselors.

What Is Involved in Opiate Detox?

Many private treatment centers provide detox services on site. Opiate detox is harsh and can last for an extensive period of time. Typically, the withdrawal symptoms peak about 48 hours after the last dose of opiates. Some specific symptoms include:

• Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
• Body tremors and shakes
• Flashes of hot and cold
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Frequent mood swings
• Depression

All these withdrawal symptoms can be controlled in opiate detox with medications and other techniques.  Psychological care is also available to ensure that there are no self-harming activities in those who experience anxiety or depression.

What Happens in Opiate Rehab Recovery and Aftercare?

Opiate recovery depends on the reasons why addicts were abusing the drugs in the first place. Often, there is an underlying psychological reason why addicts continue to use. They may have a painful condition that requires legitimate use of pain management drugs; that use then turned into abuse. These issues are determined in recovery and then treated accordingly. Coping skills are taught to ensure that addicts can deal with these issues in the future without the need for the opiates.

Opiate detox can be a long or short process, but the complexity of this class of drugs means that a longer program is often recommended. Addicts entering into an opiate treatment center may benefit from a program that lasts for at least 30 days. Those with a history of relapse may benefit from a 90+ day stay, but the correct treatment protocol depends entirely on the addict.

Aftercare is often a recommended course of action for addicts as well. This is because it can be challenging to re-enter into a real-world environment, even with new coping skills. Addicts will face temptations and stresses again that they may struggle to learn how to cope with. Having a h2 support network is essential to overcoming these challenges. Addicts need someone to talk to, and family and friends can’t always offer the right kind of support. As a result, aftercare programs are an integral part of the recovery process.