Drug abuse and addiction rates have increased dramatically in the United States. The popularity of opioids, especially prescription pain killers like OxyContin and illicit narcotics like heroin, has led to a record number of fatal overdoses. Opioids are highly addictive, and the toll they can take on you is frightening. If you’re experiencing a problem with opioids, you will need opioid addiction treatment.

Opioids work by releasing excessive amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of happiness and pleasure. Over time, opioid abuse and addiction change your brain chemistry. Your pleasure and reward center begins to reward opioid use, and it gradually begins to associate opioids with pleasure. In this process, cravings are triggered every time you try to quit using opioids.

Although there is no cure for opioid addiction, an evidence-based opioid addiction treatment program in San Diego may be the answer you’re looking for. We can help you learn how to effectively cope with symptoms, triggers, and cravings and maintain healthy, long-term abstinence.

What are Opioids?

woman meditates during therapy at opioid addiction treatment centerOpioids are synthetic or partly synthetic medications designed to mimic the effects of opium and opiates. In fact, an opiate addiction treatment program will be very similar to one for opioid addiction because the drugs are so similar. Both are painkillers. Both are incredibly addictive. Most importantly, both can be fatal.

Some examples of common opioids include:

  • OxyContin
  • Morphine
  • Heroin
  • Fentanyl
  • Vicodin
  • Percocet

Opioids are typically prescribed by doctors to treat chronic, severe, and traumatic pain. However, when patients use prescription opioids for an extended period of time, addiction is a very real possibility. Even carefully following directions when taking prescription opioids is no guarantee that you can avoid addiction. The reason is simple: your tolerance slowly begins to increase. As your tolerance increases, the effectiveness of opioids diminishes, which fuels the desire to increase the dosage.

Sometimes, when people become addicted to prescription opioids, they may begin experimenting with illicit narcotics like heroin because they are cheaper and easier to obtain. Prescription pain killers are expensive without a prescription, making an addiction difficult to financially support. Heroin is cheaper, but the cheapness comes with a price. It is more powerful and far more dangerous to use. Don’t allow yourself to fall into this trap. Opioid addiction rehab can provide you with the support and guidance you need to recover successfully.

What is Opioid Addiction Treatment?

Since opioid addiction causes significant changes to your brain chemistry, users typically experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Faced with such daunting challenges, how can you overcome your addiction? An opioid addiction treatment program in San Diego provides a safe, controlled place to begin your recovery. Holistic therapy, like an acupuncture treatment program or a yoga therapy program, makes it easier for you to power through withdrawal so you can focus on a successful recovery.

Opioid withdrawal can cause a wide variety of painful and uncomfortable symptoms, including:

  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Restless legs
  • Cramps and pain
  • Constipation and diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Mood changes, such as anxiety or depression

During recovery, nearly half of all people experience a relapse. A relapse occurs when you resume abusing opioids after a period of abstinence. Relapsing drastically increases your risk of experiencing a fatal or non-fatal overdose because of your decreased tolerance. Opioid addiction rehab helps you recover from addiction by providing education, coping skills, and relapse prevention plans to help you navigate life without using drugs or alcohol.

Additionally, many people suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder, which makes recovery all the more challenging. These disorders can be brought on by addiction. The reverse is also true. Mental health symptoms can drive individuals toward opioid abuse. Dual diagnosis treatment is highly effective for dealing with this situation because it addresses your mental health needs as you’re being treated for addiction. Opioid addiction rehab uses both evidence-based and holistic treatments to improve your treatment outcomes. Evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improve your ability to identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Individual counseling provides you with a safe space to express intimate or troubling emotions or opinions.

Find Opioid Addiction Rehab Today

Opioid addiction treatment can significantly improve your chances of sustaining long-term sobriety and abstinence. Our unique treatment approach, neurobiological integration (NBI), is designed to provide you with both short-term symptom relief and long-term nervous system regulation to support successful recovery. Because this program is customized to address your unique needs, it treats any underlying mental health conditions, regulates the nervous system, and provides a sense of sustainable well being. Through a customized combination of psychiatry, psychotherapy, and integrative services, we will support you in recovering from your addiction and restoring your whole self—mind, body, and spirit.

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, finding help is easier than you think. True Life Center, a leading opioid addiction treatment program in San Diego, understands the complexity of opioid addiction. We have the experience, understanding, and training to help you find recovery from the depths of addiction. To find out more about our programs and your treatment options, call us today at 866.420.1792.