Author: Jaclyn Ahearn, LICSW

Substance use disorders and narcotics addictions are prevalent throughout the United States, and it is estimated that over 2.1 million people within the U.S. have an opioid use disorder alone and need addiction treatment.¹ Many refer to the prevalence of opioid use disorders as an epidemic, causing thousands of fatalities per year and tremendous suffering within many communities.

How Do I Know if I Need Addiction Treatment?

If you are considering drug treatment, try to answer any of the following questions:

• Is the continued use of a substance causing you distress?
• Is it too hard for you to stop using drugs on your own?
• Has substance use been the cause of tension or conflict between you or those you are closest to or live with?
• Have you wanted to stop using for some time but just couldn’t find the strength to stop using?

If you answered yes to any (or several) of these questions, seeking narcotics addiction treatment is a good step for you to take. Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) to discuss the rehab options.

If you are wondering if you or your loved one has an opioid addiction, consider some of the following common symptoms associated with opioid use disorders:²

• Opioids are being consumed more frequently and in larger amounts, than intended or prescribed, and this is a pattern that occurs over time.
• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop using opioids
• The use of opioids in hazardous situations
• Tolerance, or the diminishing of the effect of opioids over time, requiring more of the drug to maintain a similar effect. Continued use of opioids even though there are consequences, including psychological or physiological distress.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar to you, consider some of these suggestions for determining how to get the help and support you need.

First Step in Narcotics Addiction Treatment: Detox

If you can stop on your own in safety, you will not need to enter a detoxification program, which is often the first step in treating those with a substance use disorder.

If you cannot stop on your own in safety, the first step would be to medically detox with the guidance of your physician or appropriate medical professionals. Determining the appropriate level of care beyond acute concerns related to withdrawal symptoms will involve considering several other factors in the patient’s presentation.

Treatment for Withdrawal Symptoms

If you develop a physical dependence on a substance, you may experience a physical withdrawal. Depending on the type of substance causing the withdrawal, symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Anxiety
• Aches and pains
• Seizures

If you have experienced withdrawal symptoms in the past, you may be fearful of experiencing these symptoms and may avoid entering treatment for this reason. In fact, for substances like benzodiazepines, withdrawal can cause seizures and even death in cases of withdrawal, leading to increased fear in discontinuing the use of the substance.

This is why seeking professional treatment for withdrawal is important. You will be able to rid your body of drugs in a safe environment with medical professionals by your side. Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) to get help today.

Support in Recovery

If you believe that you may have a substance use disorder, or feel that you have developed an unhealthy relationship with a drug, consider some of the below avenues for getting support for your sobriety.

1. Go to a Meeting

You can attend a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting in person or virtually via Zoom. Meetings occur at all times of the day and can be found from NA chapters worldwide. Check out na.org for local chapters and a list of meeting times. Meetings can be an opportunity to get connected with others who are going through a similar experience.

2. Connect with Others

Meetings can be a great way of getting to know some new people, and for those in recovery from substance use disorders, relying on others for emotional support and understanding is crucial to recovery.

Finding ways to connect with friends and loved ones is important if you are facing a narcotics addiction. Many say the hardest part of having an addiction is the mental or psychological stress that occurs when the substance is no longer being consumed. Because of this, social and emotional supports must be in place to help process emotions and cope.

Recovering from a substance use disorder comes with many challenges and hurdles to overcome, from physical discomfort to changes in social life to feeling difficult emotions, and often for the first time in a while.

3. Look to Professionals in Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you care about has a substance use disorder, it is often the case that you will need to look to appropriate professionals for support. Luckily, there are addictions specialists just a phone call away to help get you started learning more about narcotics addiction treatment options that will be best for you. Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) today.

Options for Narcotics Addiction Treatment

When talking to an addictions specialist, you can inquire about different levels of care and treatment options. For drug addiction treatment, you will want to consider your needs based on your life circumstances and severity of substance use disorder, as well as risk factors. Some examples of levels of care within healthcare are below.

When considering addiction treatment options, it is important to keep in mind the substance or substances or choice of the person seeking treatment. This will help determine available treatment options. Different substances of choice do coincide with specified treatment options.

For example, some substances of choice will have options for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This involves incorporating particular pharmaceutical medications in combination with other forms of treatment, such as individual psychotherapy or counseling. For example, in cases of addiction to opioids, there are MAT options such as Suboxone, Subutex, or methadone.

Outpatient Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Outpatient therapy can help you develop effective relapse prevention techniques through the use of:

• Individual counseling
• Family therapy
• Group therapy

Outpatient therapy services are most appropriate for those who have a stable recovery, which often involves total abstinence from the substance of choice.

Treatment is often ongoing, and you may choose to continue to engage in individual, outpatient therapy services for years and even decades.

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) allow you to live at home while attending the program, and consist of multiple therapy groups that often occur over the course of weeks. These programs offer different levels of engagement, where some require three days per week and others offer a five-day option.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Similar to an IOP, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a five-day-per-week program in which you attend therapy groups, meet with an individual therapist or case manager, and engage in social activities with peers in the program.

Residential Treatment Program/Rehab

Residential treatment programs or drug rehabilitation (or drug rehab) centers offer longer-term options if outpatient and partial hospitalization programs aren’t enough for you. The change in the environment alone can help break behavior patterns associated with substance use and be more effective than other options.

Residential treatment programs or rehabs offer a wide range of treatment times, ranging from 30 days to some programs offering support over a year or more.

Inpatient Care

Inpatient care is an option if an individual with a substance use disorder requires around-the-clock supports in a medical facility with medical staff available at all times. Detox programs are considered an inpatient level of care, and these programs serve to provide a safe and supported environment for withdrawal to occur. Inpatient treatment programs can vary in treatment times based on the patient and care team’s needs and preferences.

Thinking About Going to Drug Rehab?

If you are thinking about addiction treatment or treatment for your loved one, you may have already asked yourself, “Where can I find drug rehab near me?” When choosing a treatment program, you will want to look for options that will work for you. It will be important to consider aspects of treatment such as location (especially if you need daily transportation to and from the program), cost, facilities, and programs.

Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) today and learn more about treatment today.These specialists can discuss treatment options available to you based on your insurance and financial needs.

References

1. Dydyk AM, Jain NK, Gupta M. (2021). Opioid Use Disorder. [Updated 2020 Nov 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
2. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).