Opioid Treatment
What are Opioids?
Opioids are one of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States today. They are also highly addictive, widely available and extremely deadly. Common opioids include heroin, synthetic fentanyl, and prescription opioids such as oxycodone (Percocet, Roxis), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine (Lean), and morphine. Opioids bind to receptors in the brain and affect basic functioning such as heart rate, sleeping, emotional regulation, and breathing. The opioid problem has indeed become a national crisis. In fact, over 115 Americans a day die of an opioid overdose according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Further, in 2017 alone, over 72,000 people died from an opioid overdose (NIDA).
Opioids are one of, if not the most addictive substances being abused today. They are also one of the most difficult drugs to stop abusing on your own. Although generally not life-threatening, detox can be extremely unpleasant. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on a person’s age, abuse history, length of use, as well as other medical conditions. We also never suggest trying to detox at home, as complications can arise that require immediate medical attention. Professional medical detox is the smart first step in getting off opioids. Royal Life Centers uses a medication-assisted detox in order to safely and comfortably detox each guest. Additionally, our medical team monitors guests 24/7 to ensure their safety, while helping them get through the detox process.
Short-term effects of use may include:
- Drowsiness
- Slow breathing
- Constipation
- Unconsciousness
- Nausea
- Pain relief
- Feelings of euphoria
Long-term effects of opioid use may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal bloating
- Constipation
- Liver damage
- Brain damage
- Development of tolerance
- Dependence
Do I need opioid treatment?
Signs and symptoms of opioid addiction:
- Using opioids for longer than intended
- Using more than opioids than intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to decrease the amounts taken
- Spending large amounts of time obtaining, using, or recovering from opioids
- Stopping important activities
- Engaging in high-risk behaviors
- Doctor shopping for multiple prescriptions
- Snorting or injecting pills
- Continuing to use despite negative effects
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, please contact us immediately for help.
The symptoms of opioid withdrawal usually begin within a few hours of the last use and peak around 72 hours later. Going these symptoms alone can be a terribly painful process and frequently lead back to opioid abuse. Managing the symptoms of withdrawal safely and effectively in a safe environment such as Royal Life Centers, drastically increases the chances of a successful recovery. Our team at Royal Life Centers encourages all of our guests to enter into our residential treatment program directly following detox. This makes sure guests continue to get the help they need to continue making progress in their recovery without interruptions.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Tearing up
- Muscles aches
- Agitation
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Excessively yawning
- Anxiety
- Nose running
- Sweats
- Racing heart
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Intense cravings
Overcoming substance use disorder and opioid addiction requires diligently working on oneself. Once the substance has left the system, the real work on how to live without drugs or alcohol begins. In our residential inpatient program, guests attend daily group therapy and individual therapy sessions in order to uncover the roots of their substance use disorder. Next, in our nine-week program guests continue their intensive therapy sessions as well as participate in exciting adventure, equine, and activity therapy. Finally, guests can choose to move into our graduate housing, providing a safe sober environment to continue work on their sobriety.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have an opioid addiction, or any other substance use disorder, please contact us right away. Royal Life Centers admissions staff are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Because We Care.
Change your life with one call.
We can help.
