The devastating impact of the American Opioid Epidemic has left millions of people struggling with addiction they don’t know how to treat. Those from low-income neighborhoods are more likely to suffer from addiction, but they are also less likely to reach out for treatment because they do not believe they can afford it.
Heroin addiction is a serious substance use disorder that requires professional rehab. The good news is that even if you are unemployed or work a low-income job, you can still receive quality rehabilitation and escape the self-destructing cycle of heroin addiction.
What Are the Treatment Options for Heroin?
Most cases of heroin addiction are severe, meaning they require residential or intensive, all-day treatment programs instead of weekly meetings. There are some forms of long-term residential treatment that last six months to a year; this type of treatment is ideal for people with severe, enduring addictions who also have co-occurring mental health problems. There is an extreme, intense emphasis placed on the self and tackling addiction from the inside out.
Long-term treatment might be effective, but it isn’t an option for many. Instead, short-term programs offer inpatient treatment for 30 to 90 days. As heroin detox typically takes anywhere from two weeks to a month, it’s recommended that clients stay in treatment for at least 60 days. There are some 12-step residential programs that are even shorter and last around six weeks.
If you cannot take off work or afford a residential program, outpatient heroin treatment is also available. Because heroin is so addictive, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are the best treatment option. These programs typically last 30 days, but some will last six to eight weeks. Some people may continue their addiction treatment after a residential program by attending an outpatient program.
Forms of Heroin Treatment
Both psychotherapy and medication can be used to help you overcome heroin addiction. Methadone is a common medication prescribed to help treat heroin dependency; avoiding withdrawal and slowly coming off heroin is much easier on the mind and body than abruptly stopping. In fact, quitting heroin entirely right away can be life-threatening and is never recommended.
Therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a major element in many addiction treatment models; this form of therapy focuses on helping clients identify their irrational beliefs and negative thinking patterns that contribute to addiction. Self-acceptance, self-esteem building and trauma recovery can also serve major roles during the heroin treatment period.
Group therapy is also implemented in most programs. Support from others who are also going through addiction can be helpful in overcoming the feelings of loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness many people encounter as they let go of drugs and begin to work toward a sober future.
What’s most important to remember is that there is no “one size fits all” treatment for heroin addiction or any substance use disorder, for that matter. You have a unique experience and addiction that is influenced by your upbringing, life experiences and personality. The best rehab will embrace your uniqueness and help you identify the core strengths you possess and help you apply them as you take ownership of your recovery.
Paying for Heroin Treatment
Living in poverty, struggling with low-income or being unemployed can be a major stressor that causes you to rely on heroin as an escape. Your escape ultimately becomes your biggest problem and barrier in life; in order to overcome it, you’ll have to push beyond the ease of using money as an excuse and reach out to rehabs capable of helping you regardless of your annual salary.
Even those who are currently homeless can find treatment. Help is, naturally, easier to acquire if you have large sums of money and can finance a long stay at a luxury rehab, but there are many organizations and rehabs that want to make treatment accessible and affordable to everyone.
Financing plans are available at many residential and outpatient rehabs. With these options, you can enter treatment and even have the cost deferred until you have a stable income can make payments without jeopardizing your welfare.
To learn more about what type of rehab is available near you, contact us today at 844-903-2111. We help people from all walks of life get connected to the treatment programs that help them overcome addiction for good.
