What Effective Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs in Florida Look Like

The national opioid crisis has seen a rise in the number of overdose deaths to a staggering 115 people every day, according to a 2018 report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States. However, there is effective opioid addiction treatment available in Florida that can be taken advantage of the beat addiction.

In this article, we will examine the various types of therapy and medications for withdrawal that have been made available for opioid addiction treatment.

The “Whole-Patient” Approach to Treatment

Not all opiate addiction treatment is the same; while varying in intensity, opiate addiction treatment can also vary in how they approach the addiction. A whole-patient approach, according to U.S. National Library of Medicine, can improve the chances of a full recovery from addiction.

A whole-patient approach refers to opioid addiction treatment that includes:

Services to assess and treat HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease that addicts are prone to

  • Treatment for multiple mental disorders (not just an addiction)
  • Medications to assist in the patients medium and long-term recovery
  • Counseling
  • Behavioral therapy
  • Assistance with other important areas of the addict’s life, such as their vocation
  • Family therapy in order to repair and strengthen bonds

The most intensive form of such treatment is usually given in a residential or inpatient facility; however, one may also use intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and achieve similar success when certain conditions are met, such as having support at home.

The types of behavioral therapy that is most effective in opioid addiction treatment include:

  • Family therapy – This includes any family member or partner that is close to the addict.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy – Assists in isolating negative patterns and replaces them with positive coping skills and ways to manage stress and other emotions.
  • Group counseling – Another effective method of treating an individual for opioid addiction is through group counseling, which encourages peer learning and support.
  • Motivational enhancement therapy – This method helps the patient to build their motivation to support their recovery goals.
  • Contingency management – Through low-cost rewards, good behavior is incentivized in order to reinforce healthy patterns of behavior.

Opioid Withdrawal Treatment

An addict will tell you how difficult it is to stop opioid abuse once a dependence has formed. This is in part due to the withdrawal symptoms that occur. These are symptoms that are tied into the body’s reliance on the substance that has built over time. Suddenly stopping results in the following withdrawal symptoms:

  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Insomnia
  • Tremors
  • Depression

The symptoms are often described as intense flu-like symptoms, but in opioid withdrawal treatment, one can be given medications to control the symptoms.

Some of the medications frequently used include:

  • Buprenorphine: This medication is effective at reducing cravings and most of the withdrawal symptoms. It stimulates the same areas of the brain as opioids would, but without the high that the addict seeks.
  • Methadone: Similar to buprenorphine, methadone also helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms so that the experience becomes far easier to cope with.

While some people falsely believe that the use of opioid replacements such as these is simply replacing one drug for another, they are in fact medication that cannot give the person the same high that they are actually after, making them safe alternatives that a person can use to taper off drugs.

 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.