Seeking treatment for opiate addiction can seem daunting and leave those struggling with addiction feeling lost and helpless. The first step toward recovery is learning your options and deciding on a course of treatment. Any opiate rehabilitation program will begin with the necessary first step in the process of getting clean: detoxing from the substance.
Of all of the steps in the process toward getting clean and recovering, the detoxification process is surely one that can raise fear. You may have heard about both the physical and mental challenges that come about during detoxification, and it’s important to accept and expect them. A counselor or doctor can walk you through the different phases of detoxification and physical withdrawal and what symptoms to expect in order to remove the element of surprise and alleviate apprehension as much as possible.
Detox should be undergone under the supervision of trained staff at a medical facility or recovery center. The process can take several days, and it’s best to have staff medically managing the intense withdrawal symptoms as well as monitoring both your physical and mental state throughout. When appropriate and necessary, the overseeing medical staff may prescribe various medications to assist with the withdrawal symptoms, the most common being methadone.
What Comes After Detox?
Detoxing alone does not cure a person from addiction. While it does provide the body with the opportunity to clear itself of dangerous substances, detox does not address the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of a person’s opiate addiction, and it’s important to recognize that these factors are often even more critical that the physical aspect. In order for recovery to be productive and long-lasting, behavioral issues, triggers, and environmental factors need to be identified and coping skills need to be learned.
This post-detox treatment can be conducted in both inpatient and outpatient settings, though round-the-clock inpatient programs tend to produce better results. By having 24-hour access to care, you are given the physical and psychological support to address any issues that may arise during this trying time. Stays can last anywhere from 30 days to many months, depending on you and your dedication to and participation in your treatment progress.
If you’re ready to make the first steps toward sober living free from opiates, we can help. Contact one of our counselors at 844-903-2111 to start your journey toward recovery today.
