Treating Opiate Addiction Isn’t Done by the Opiate Treatment Center Alone

There is a tendency among opiate addicts to believe opiate addiction treatment fixes you while you passively remain present. That isn’t what happens. You must do some of the hardest work you have every done to get the program to work. Unfortunately, many people aren’t prepared for that and it sets up a self-fulfilling prophecy. People who are skeptical about the effectiveness of rehab may try to remain disengaged. When asked to engage, they quit and this cements their belief that treatment doesn’t work. If you quit or don’t make an effort, then you are right in thinking it won’t work. But, if you commit and try your hardest, it will change your life.

What Happens in Opiate Addiction Treatment?

Rehab uses a number of techniques when treating opiate addiction. The most common elements of the process are educations sessions, support group meetings, behavioral therapy, and medication. When you enter treatment, your intake will involve comprehensive assessments of your psychological, physical, and social situation. Using this information, the center will craft an individualized treatment plan. This will determine what will happen in treatment.

What Is My Role in Opiate Addiction Treatment?

Firstly, you need to remain for the full duration of the treatment. It is only when people get into and remain in treatment that they see positive outcomes. The second important responsibility you face is fully engaging. When you are in a educational session, work to take in the information and to think critically about it; ask questions. If you are given medication, take it exactly as prescribed. Do not deviate. During therapy, remain open and be willing to share. When you are in support group meetings, participate by not only attending but speaking during meetings and actively listening.

Can I Do It?

Yes. It won’t be easy initially. But, as you commit yourself, you will grow stronger and more capable. In time, engaging will feel automatic. You will take charge of treating opiate addiction.

Opiate Addiction Treatment Uses Behavioral Therapy Most Commonly When Treating Opiate Addiction

If you haven’t been to an opiate addiction treatment program before, you probably have some vague ideas about what happens, but it is a good idea to do some research on approaches because that will help you choose the best program for your recovery. There are many interventions that are used in a rehab center; they include education sessions, medication, support groups, and behavioral therapy. Of these, the most popular is behavioral therapy. You will not encounter a program that does not use it and that’s for good reason. It’s incredibly effective.

What Is Behavioral Therapy?

Behavioral therapy aims to teach addicts how changes in behavior can lead to modification in how they feel. So, it focuses on identifying negative behaviors, like drug use, and the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to them. Then, patients work on how they can change the underlying thinking and the active behavior. This fosters positive choices and actions.

How Common Is Behavioral Therapy?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these therapies legitimately are the “most commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment.” You will encounter it in opiate addiction treatment.

What Happens in Behavioral Therapy?

This type of therapy will take various forms in treating opiate addiction. You may participate in one-on-one, family, and group sessions. These therapies:

  • Deal with a patient’s motivation to change
  • Develop skills to resist opiate use
  • Offer incentives for continued abstinence
  • Better problem solving
  • Substitute rewarding and constructive activities for drug using ones
  • Facilitate improved interpersonal relationships

Are Behavioral Therapies Effective?

Studies indicate participation in group therapies and other peer support activities both during treatment and following it can help maintain abstinence. Roughly 75 percent of individuals who enter behavioral therapy receive benefits from it. Though other interventions will be used in treating opiate addiction, behavioral therapy will be a part of everyone’s treatment plan.

Treating Opiate Addiction on Your Own Is Dangerous; You Need Opiate Addiction Treatment

It isn’t uncommon for addiction to be viewed as a failure of will. Even with all of public education in place, not everyone understands it is is a disease. When you are told your opiate addiction is your own fault because you aren’t strong enough, you may feel challenged to prove how strong you can be. This may lead you to feel like you should fix your addiction on your own.  People who think this way often avoid professional opiate addiction treatment, opting instead to pursue recovery independently. This is rather dangerous. Treating opiate addiction requires structured, formal care.

You Need Help to Make It through Detoxification

The first stage of any opiate abuse cure is detox, the period during which opiates are worked out of your system. The withdrawal this causes is crippling. It is literally so uncomfortable that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states detox without medication management causes needless suffering. Further, opiate users are incredibly sensitive to pain and this process can break them.

There Are Also Risks Associated with Detox

Though opiate detox is unlikely to kill you, there are dangerous symptoms associated with the process. The vomiting and diarrhea that most detoxing addict face when treating opiate addiction can leave you dehydrated or give you an electrolyte imbalance. These can lead to serious dangers, especially in people who have additional health concerns on top of addiction.

You Are More Likely to Relapse If You Go It Alone

Relapse is not simply a possibility; it is a likelihood. As addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, people who suffer from it are likely to experience a recurrence of symptoms. Between 40 and 60 percent of recovering addicts will experience a relapse. People who try to get clean on their own are more likely to experience early relapse, and they are less able to cope with it because they have not participated in the education that happens at opiate addiction treatment. Get the best help, find the best rehab like best marijuana treatment rehab.

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