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Conditions We Treat

Opioid Addiction Rehab Treatment

Written By Brian Davis
Reviewed By Tiffany Green
Medically Reviewed By Dr David Barker
Updated January 12, 2023

Opioid abuse, whether in the form of out-of-control prescription medicine misuse or the abuse of illegal narcotics such as heroin or fentanyl, represents a serious challenge within the context of substance abuse rehab. Widely regarded as one of the most addictive substances in the world, opioids and their derivatives alter our brain chemistry to form strong physical dependencies after as little as a single exposure. While medically prescribed opioids have legitimate uses when other analgesics have failed, unfortunately, the overuse and abuse of prescription opioids have significantly contributed to a national opioid crisis.

From a rehab clinic perspective, opioid abuse also brings significant challenges. Opioid withdrawal symptoms are some of the most severe (rivalled only by acute alcohol dependency) and frequently require medical intervention to stabilise the patient through detox. Compounding these difficulties, rehab patients often experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), causing withdrawal-like symptoms and cravings well beyond the acute withdrawal symptom phase.

Understanding these challenges and being able to provide safe and effective opioid addiction treatment is critical to long-term, successful opioid rehab. Gladstones Clinic’s individually tailored, holistic, and integrative approach to opioid rehab has helped hundreds of people break free from an otherwise crippling and devastating addiction to opioids.

If you or a loved one are in the clutches of opioid addiction, Gladstones Clinic cannot recommend getting professional rehab treatment enough. Opioids are highly destructive, and early intervention and treatment can prevent irreversible cognitive and physical health damage.

Need help in battling opioid addiction?

Gladstones Clinic’s opioid addiction treatment programme has been helping people recover from opioids’ devastating effects and start a new chapter in their lives for more than 20 years.

Learn more about opioid abuse and addiction

Why do people abuse opioids?

There are a number of often-overlapping factors that contribute to opioid abuse. Many cases of opioid addiction start innocently enough. A patient is prescribed an opioid-based painkiller such as Tramadol or one containing codeine for pain relief when non-opioids have failed. While it’s exceptionally effective at bringing pain relief, it also induces a state of euphoria and relief from stress, anxiety, and depression. At the same time, it alters the patient’s brain chemistry, and when they stop taking the opioids, they experience worsened pain and emotional distress, driving them to seek more opioids. 

Non-prescription or illegal opioids like heroin and fentanyl have a well-known reputation for providing extreme euphoric highs, able to melt away even the most deep-rooted depression and anxiety for a while. This can be exceptionally alluring to those with co-existing mental health problems who have had little success otherwise dealing with depression or anxiety.

Other factors that contribute to opioid addiction include genetic predisposition to addiction, poverty and an environment where drug abuse has been normalised, and the ease of availability of opioids, as both prescription medication or drugs, on the black market.

When to seek help for opioid abuse

The short answer is as soon as possible. Opioids are strongly associated with a host of morbidity and disability factors, affecting both cognitive and physical health. Untreated opioid use often leads to respiratory distress, a weakened immune system, gastrointestinal problems, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, cognitive decline, as well as social and interpersonal problems. Seeking immediate opioid addiction treatment can significantly reduce the chances of permanent physical and psychological damage and early death.

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms of opioid addiction, please seek professional assistance immediately.

What happens in opioid addiction therapy?

Gladstones Clinic’s approach to treating prescription opioid and drug addiction involves several stages, tailored to break physical dependence and address the root causes of addiction. After two decades of providing opioid addiction rehab treatment services, our programmes have proven themselves to be safe, effective, and permanent.

1. Addiction Assessment & Consultation

Opioid addiction is often accompanied by co-occurring addictions and/or mental health disorders. Identifying these, along with your physical health and addiction profile, is critical to providing an individualised care and treatment schedule.

2. Detoxification (Detox)

The detox phase aims to eliminate opioids from the body, which can take around 7 to 10 days. This process might be uncomfortable or even dangerous, requiring close monitoring and possibly medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to note that each patient might experience different withdrawal symptoms at different severities; however, all our opioid detox patients receive round-the-clock care to ensure a safe and as-comfortable-as-possible detox.

3. Primary Care

Primary care is central to opioid addiction rehab. It focuses on creating an awareness and complete understanding of your addiction and developing personalised strategies for identifying and coping with triggers and stressors. We use a variety of custom-tailored clinically approved treatments, including CBT, DBT, and group therapy, as well as holistic treatments and family therapy when required. The primary opioid addiction treatment phase lasts a minimum of 28 days, after which you may enter secondary care as needed.

4. Secondary Care, Tertiary Care, and Aftercare

Opioid addiction rehab often requires secondary and even tertiary care services to ensure a permanent recovery. Based on your needs, you might enter these programmes to receive continued support and therapy, access to sober living facilities, slot into a supportive and understanding community, and further develop the necessary skills to sustain your sobriety. You will also receive life-long access to our extraordinary aftercare programme at any of our facilities to ensure that there is always a compassionate and understanding ear when you are feeling vulnerable, at risk of relapse, or in need of community support.

Get professional help in dealing with opioid addiction

Opioid addiction can very quickly spiral out of control and lead to devastating long-term effects.

Contact Gladstones Clinic for an obligation-free discussion of our clinic, opioid addiction treatments, and options available to you.

Want to learn more about opioid addiction?

Gladstones Clinic regularly publishes high-quality and meticulously researched blog articles on a variety of topics related to addiction, disorders, and rehab therapy. These blog posts might be of relevance to you.

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