Opiate Addiction Treatment Center for Recovery of the Life

An addiction to opiates has become a fairly widespread issue in the world. Here in the United States, about 3 million people are currently addicted to opiates. Despite the fact that laws are currently in place to help combat this addiction, individuals are still falling victim to this powerful addiction.

There have been many advances in addiction therapy that have helped in treating opiate addiction. A combination of medication and psychological therapy has been shown to help individuals as they enter opiate addiction treatment.

Many different drugs contain opiates. Heroin and prescription painkillers happen to be the most used version of opiates.

Opiates are very addictive and can be dangerous. When opiates are prescribed to pain patients, there is potential for abuse to occur and individuals can quickly develop a tolerance to it. This can turn into an addiction very fast.

Signs of opiate addiction:
• Using opiates despite knowing the risks and consequences of abuse.
• Failed attempts at cutting down or stopping use of opiates.
• Increasing the amount of opiates taken

Because each individual is different, there is no set rules for those entering opiate addiction treatment. Some individuals are able to comfortably go through natural detox. Others may need extensive medical treatment.

Types of opiate addiction treatment:

There are many types of successful treatment methods that can give the individual high quality treatment. Treatment for opiates is the most effective when the addiction is caught early, and treatment is immediately sought.

Some of the most common types of opiate addiction treatment include:
• Methadone maintenance
This type of treatment has been successful in treating heroin addiction, and is always a first choice treatment for many addicts. When taken as prescribed, methadone does not produce a sedated or intoxicating symptom. The user is able to take this medication without their daily lives being interrupted.

• Suboxone
This treatment is fairly new, but is very effective. This medication contains buprenorphine and naloxone and are time released. Time release proves effective, as it can reduce cravings that an individual may have for opiates.

The difference between Suboxone and methadone is that if a user goes back to using heroin or another opiate, while on Suboxone, the withdrawal symptoms will increase exponentially.

• Behavioral therapy
The combination of behavioral therapy and medication has been shown to be most effective in opiate addiction treatment. Behavioral therapy includes both inpatient and outpatient treatments, which combine group sessions and one-on-one counseling sessions.

Some of the new behavioral therapies being used in treatment centers include: Contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and rewards based therapy. These therapies help to change the behavior of the addicts and restore their lives.

An individual may need opiate addiction treatment if the following signs are present:
• The individual has tried to quit and has been unsuccessful
• The individual uses opiates, despite the consequences
• The individual would rather use than spend time with loved ones.
While treatment may be nerve-racking to the user, it is the only way the individual can break free from their addiction and live a balanced life.