Opioids or opiate addiction is a brain disease that can affect anyone. Doctors and other health providers recommend opiates because they are great at suppressing pain and reducing anxiety.
However, when they are taken in high doses, it produces euphoria which some people can get acquainted with.
Some people may smoke, snort or inject opiates into their bloodstream to get a high boost of euphoria.
Most times, addicts take more opiates than intended, and they find it hard to stop because the reward system of their brain has been disrupted.
When it comes to treatment for opiate addiction, the first step is usually counseling. The essence of counseling is to establish a therapeutic alliance between the addict and the counselor. This will make it easier for the addict to open up to the counselor and share all their struggles with them.
The counselor conducts an in-depth evaluation so that a personalized treatment plan can be created for the addict. Usually, the counselor is present with the addict from the start of treatment to the very end.
Next, people addicted to opiates will need to undergo detoxification. The main aim of this treatment process is to remove the buildup of toxins in the body.
These toxins are unwanted substances that accumulated due to the use of opiates.
When these individuals are in treatment, they don’t have access to opiates, which could be dangerous because they will start experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
However, detoxification helps to reduce the effect of these symptoms so that the patients can focus on recovery.
Depending on the severity of the addiction problem, the patient might need to remain within the treatment facility till they get better, or they come from their location to receive treatment.
Inpatient treatment is for people with chronic opiate addiction.
Such patients need to be closely monitored until they get better. While outpatient treatment is for those with milder cases. They can still attend to other aspects of their work while receiving treatment.
Lastly, they will need to undergo the aftercare treatment phase, which is essential so that they don’t relapse.