What Are Opioids?
Opioids include both prescription medications and illegal substances. They act on the brain’s opioid receptors to produce pain relief, relaxation, and, in some cases, euphoria. Because of these effects, opioids can be very effective for managing pain, but they also carry a high addiction and overdose risk when not used properly.
Common examples of opioids include:
Prescription Opioids
Doctors prescribe these medications to treat moderate to severe pain. They include drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Vicodin.
Fentanyl
This is a synthetic opioid that is much more potent than other painkillers. It is typically used in medical settings for severe pain, but illicitly produced fentanyl is a major contributor to the opioid epidemic and opioid-related overdoses.
Heroin
Heroin is an illegal drug and currently has no legal or medical use in the United States. It is known for its potent effects and high potential for substance misuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, seeking help from a professional treatment center can make a big difference in addiction recovery.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioid withdrawal symptoms occur when a person who is dependent on opioids reduces or stops their intake. Because of the body’s reliance on the drug, withdrawal can cause significant discomfort. Symptoms vary but often include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Excessive sweating
- Bone pain
- Irritability
- Depression
These symptoms can be incredibly uncomfortable and painful, making professional support from an opioid addiction treatment program crucial during withdrawal. If an individual tries to detox at home instead of at a drug or alcohol rehab, they’re much more likely to go back to using as a way to avoid feeling sick.
Signs You Need Help From Opioid Addiction Treatment Centers in Massachusetts
Recognizing when someone may need opioid addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts is crucial for their physical and mental health and well-being. Common signs include:
Increased Tolerance
When a person needs more of the drug to feel the same effects or to prevent them from feeling sick, this suggests that they are dependent on the drug and should consider an opioid addiction treatment program.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If you experience physical or emotional withdrawal when not using opioids, it is a clear sign of addiction, and it may be time to consider drug and alcohol detox.
Unsuccessful Attempts to Quit
If an individual has tried multiple times to stop using or reduce their use of opioids and hasn’t been able to, this is a sign they may need treatment.
Neglecting Responsibilities
When opioid use interferes with work, school, or family obligations, it’s crucial to consider treatment options for opioid use disorder.
Obsessing Over the Next Dose
Frequently thinking about how and when you’ll next use opioids indicates that addiction may be an issue.
Changes in Behavior
Dramatic shifts in mood, behavior, or social circles can be a warning that opioid use is becoming a serious problem.
Legal or Financial Problems
Encountering issues like arrests or financial difficulties due to opioid use is a strong sign to get help from opioid addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts.
When you notice these signs, it’s an opportunity to ask for help or have an open conversation with a loved one and encourage them to seek professional help from an opioid addiction treatment center in Massachusetts.
Types of Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs
Opioid addiction is a serious issue, and it’s one that most people can’t tackle on their own – it usually requires help from professional substance abuse treatment programs. If you’re looking for an opioid or heroin addiction treatment center for yourself or your loved one, you can seek help in the following ways:
Drug Addiction Detox and Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medical detox, often accompanied by medication-assisted treatment (MAT), is usually the first type of drug addiction treatment for individuals battling opioid addiction. Drug and alcohol detox is where the person stops using drugs and all other addictive substances.
Opioid withdrawal can be incredibly uncomfortable, and doing it under medical supervision is often the best way. MAT and a medically supervised detox help reduce the intensity and duration of opioid and heroin withdrawal symptoms and cravings by using medication such as methadone or buprenorphine. This helps the patient make a smoother transition into the next phase of drug abuse treatment.
Inpatient Treatment Center
Inpatient rehab is a place where individuals live for a period of time ranging from several weeks to several months. Inpatient or residential opioid addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts are typically best suited for those with a severe substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health disorders that require continuous supervision and support. Additionally, if the person looking for help at an addiction treatment center has tried lower levels of care but can’t stay sober, inpatient treatment could be a great way to get back on the path to sobriety.
A residential treatment program provides structure and safety, ensuring patients remain focused on their addiction recovery in distraction-free settings.
Outpatient Programs at Massachusetts Drug Rehabs
An outpatient-level treatment program allows individuals to receive treatment while living at home. In many of these drug and alcohol rehab programs, patients can even continue to work or go to school at the same time.
Outpatient treatment emphasizes participation in individual and group counseling sessions. It’s often recommended that these patients attend 12-step meetings as well. These types of drug and alcohol rehab services are beneficial for those transitioning from inpatient care, providing continuous support during the substance abuse recovery process.
Opioid Addiction Treatment Program Offered at Woburn Addiction Treatment
At Woburn Addiction Treatment, we specialize in providing comprehensive outpatient care for opioid addiction. Specifically, we offer the following at our alcohol and drug rehab:
Partial Hospitalization Program for Opioid Use Disorder
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is ideal for individuals requiring a higher level of care than standard outpatient treatment but who do not need 24-hour supervision. A typical day in a PHP drug rehab lasts around eight hours. It consists of intensive talk and behavioral therapy sessions and group counseling designed to address substance addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Patients undergoing a partial hospitalization program (PHP) in Massachusetts then go home afterward to sleep. This approach benefits those who are transitioning from an inpatient addiction treatment center and need substantial support during their recovery journey.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is less intensive than PHP but still provides a relatively comprehensive and structured treatment environment. Patients attend therapy sessions at the drug and alcohol rehab 3 or 4 days per week for several hours each day, allowing them to continue working or going to school.
Standard Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
After completing intensive outpatient treatment, patients usually transition down to standard outpatient. Patients in the standard outpatient program attend therapy sessions 1 to 2 days per week for a few hours daily. These traditional outpatient services are usually chosen by those who have completed PHP or IOP and are transitioning back into their daily lives or individuals with mild substance use disorder and/or strong support systems.
Dual Diagnosis Disorder Treatment Programs
An opioid addiction treatment program should offer dual diagnosis treatment to support individuals dealing with both substance use disorders and mental health challenges, like anxiety or depression. It’s common for these issues to occur together, and addressing them requires a comprehensive and integrative approach from professionals at an opioid addiction treatment center in Massachusetts.
Medical professionals create individualized treatment plans for each patient struggling with heroin addiction or dependence on other opioids, like prescription drugs, which often includes individual and group therapy, medication management, and learning healthy coping skills. This helps those with dual diagnoses deal with mental health symptoms without going back to drugs or alcohol.
Additionally, holistic therapies such as yoga, meditation, and art therapy may be offered at an opioid or heroin addiction treatment center to support overall well-being. For anyone facing drug or alcohol addiction and a mental health problem, mental health treatment is essential while at a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center.
Aftercare Substance Abuse Services
To ensure long-term success in sobriety, aftercare programs offer continued support after completing a formal opioid/heroin addiction treatment program. This often includes ongoing counseling, relapse prevention planning, and group therapy/support groups. The goal is to help individuals maintain sobriety.
At our facility, we believe in a personalized approach to treating opioid addiction. We understand that each individual’s journey to recovery is unique and requires different levels of care. Contact us today so we can help you understand your treatment options and determine what type of opioid addiction treatment program to choose for yourself or a loved one.
Contact Us for More Information on Opioid Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts
Facing opioid addiction or watching someone you love deal with the struggle is one of the most difficult things a person can go through. Getting to the other side of this problem can often seem impossible, but help is always available.
At our Massachusetts rehab center, we understand the challenges of opioid addiction and offer personalized treatment plans to help you on your journey to recovery. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive opioid addiction treatment programs in Massachusetts. Call (781) 622-9190 or complete our online contact form today.
