Drug addiction can destroy families and break up happy homes. When a family member is addicted, it takes a heavy toll on the family, financially and emotionally. Opioid addiction is one such addiction.
But there’s hope for families which have been impacted by opioid addiction. The condition can be treated, and early intervention can prevent many long-term health issues which are triggered by this addiction.
Why do people get addicted to opioids?
Have you wondered why opioids are addictive? It’s simple, really; you start feeling content when you ingest these. Opioids block pain signals and release pleasure hormones or endorphins.
But, as time passes, the body stops producing these happy hormones as fast as when the addict was taking opioids regularly. So, what does the addict do?
He starts taking even bigger doses of opioids to experience the same feelings. Soon enough, the addiction gets out of control. Illegal use of opioids can be dangerous, especially if an addict is hooked on heroin or fentanyl.
Now, when the addict decides to quit the drug suddenly, withdrawal symptoms set in. He may start experiencing hallucinations, fever, anxiety, seizures, nausea, and excessive sweating. Opioid withdrawal must be handled by professionals at a reputed drug rehab.
How can opioid addiction be treated?
Did you know that millions of Americans above the age of 12 years are on prescription opioids? That’s why opioid addiction has now become as common as heart disease and diabetes.
While it is chronic, it can be cured and managed so that normal lives are not disrupted.
If you are living in the state of Montana, it is important to find a good Montana drug rehab for treatment.
It’s not enough for the addict to seek help; complete recovery requires medical intervention. You will need more than just willpower to kick off this habit. So, choose to get yourself admitted for medications and counseling before it’s too late.
- Withdrawal treatmentfor opioid addiction includes medications and counseling. The addict is first examined by a clinician who recommends the different treatment options.
- Since every addict’s situation is unique, the clinician and patient must work together to decide on the best possible treatment plan. As far as medicines go, 3 drugs are used for treating opioid addiction, namely, buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone.
- An addict can be treated in an inpatient setting, an outpatient facility, or even in residential addiction treatment settings or hospital settings. Medicines are decided based on different factors, treatment settings, and the patient’s situation. Along with medications, the addict must also attend regular counseling sessions to facilitate recovery.
- Complete recovery from narcotics addiction is possible only when behavioral therapy or counseling is involved. This is referred to as MAT or medication-assisted treatment done by qualified professionals. They help the addict identify triggers leading to addiction, like family or work problems, people who he hangs out with and who uses drugs, etc.
- Contingency management is conducted where the addict is offered rewards or incentives to work towards small goals, like taking his medications as directed. CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy helps him understand what pushed him to this addiction and how to cope with his cravings. Family therapy introduces people who are concerned about his well-being into his treatment plan.
All this is possible when you find a good drug detox center in Montana near you. With professional help and support, you can help your loved one return to a drug-free life.