Most will agree that opioid addiction, both prescription and street-level variants, has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. To further put this into perspective, a 2018 study published by the American Psychiatric Association found that over 2 million people in America have a substance use disorder related to opioids. And addiction to these powerful narcotic drugs has contributed to numerous overdose deaths across the country. For reference, the same study revealed that overdose-related deaths resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioids climbed from 21,000 in 2010 to more than 42,000 in 2016.
It is also worth noting that more people in America today have friends or family members that are struggling with opioid addiction than in years past. To emphasize this point, in 2018, an estimated 31 percent of Americans admitted to knowing someone who had a problem with opioids compared to about 27 percent in 2017. While all of these statistics are alarming and underscore America’s struggle with opioid addiction, there is some good news worth noting. Many people are starting to recognize the impact that opioid addiction has on their life and are finally seeking help, which is evidenced by a significant uptick in new rehab admissions across the country, especially within the last couple of years.
Why Do People Turn to Rehab Facilities Rather Than Trying to Overcome Addiction on Their Own?
Breaking the cycle of addiction is difficult, and the process involved in doing so often requires help from physicians, addiction counselors, and support groups, all of which are available at a licensed rehab facility. Additionally, many of these same facilities offer medication-assisted detox to help individuals cope with the severe withdrawal symptoms that often occur within hours or days after they stop using. Beyond that, the likelihood of achieving long-term sobriety is generally much higher among those who seek help from a licensed rehab facility. All of these factors have played a role in informing the decision of countless people ready to quit opioids and other substances to turn to one of the over 14,500 specialized rehab facilities in America for help getting their lives back on track.
Coping With the Challenges of Opioid Withdrawal
Whether an individual chooses to seek help in breaking free from their opioid addiction or decides to go it alone, severe withdrawal symptoms are inevitable. Some of the more notable ones, according to most physicians and addiction experts, include the following:
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Profuse sweating
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Seizures
To help ease severe withdrawal symptoms and improve an individual’s chances of completing rehab successfully, many facilities will provide FDA-approved medications, some of which include Methadone, Suboxone, and Naltrexone, for example. Many also offer electrolytes to help those struggling with dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea. Lastly, many rehab facilities will provide psychotherapy to help resolve the psychological aspects of one’s addiction. These various addiction recovery treatments can go a long way toward making it easier for individuals to get through detox and also put opioid addiction behind them once and for all.
Additional Strategies for Coping With Opioid Withdrawal
While many rehab facilities have excellent strategies in place to help ease severe withdrawal symptoms for those going through detox, there are a few things that individuals can also do on their own to make the process a little easier. Some of the ones that have been endorsed the most by addiction counselors across America include the following:
Getting emotional support – Having a strong network of friends and family has been shown to make achieving and maintaining sobriety much easier. In fact, this one of the reasons why many rehab facilities offer group and family addiction counseling. However, even those who decide to quit on their own should still reach out to friends and family for emotional support. Along with being a source of encouragement, a good network of friends and family can keep individuals from feeling isolated and also lower their chances of giving in to temptation and cravings that could send them spiraling toward relapse.
Enjoying different activities – Even though getting and staying sober is important to get one’s life back on track, it is also important to focus on other things as well, such as music, movies, or books, from time to time. Plus, doing so has been shown to help distract some individuals from their withdrawal symptoms.
Bottom Line
In summary, the journey toward overcoming an addiction to opioids or any other illicit substance for that matter is not easy; however, with determination and help from the right rehab facility, it is entirely possible to put addiction behind you and better your life. To learn more about strategies for coping with opioid addiction or for help finding a rehab facility in your area, you’re encouraged to speak with one of our friendly addiction experts today at 833-610-1174.