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Tips for Quitting Opiate Addiction
It is very difficult to pull oneself out of opiate addiction. Depending on the severity, dependency, and length of time involved, opiate abuse can be incredibly devastating to all other aspects of a person's life. If you know you are ready to end your opiate use once and for all, here are five tips for quitting your addiction.
Seek Help from a Detox Clinic
Many people attempt to go through withdrawals alone, but a opiate detox program can be essential to recovery, especially if you have a strong addiction to opiates. Medical professionals at detox facility will help you through your withdrawals by providing medications to curb the more painful and uncomfortable symptoms.
People who check into inpatient clinics and have a good experience during detox management are more likely to stay and complete their treatment than those who don't (NCBI).
Completing Opiate Detox Treatment
The reason many people relapse after detox is because they don't continue their treatment. According to the NLM, "longer-term treatment is recommended for most people following withdrawal."
It is important that you continue your treatment after detox because the majority of overdose deaths are caused by relapse after detox. Continue with the treatment you and your doctor have agreed upon, even if you might feel that detox was enough.
Seeking Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment
If you have been struggling with opiate addiction for a number of years or if your addiction is severe, it is definitely in your best interest to check into an inpatient treatment center. At one of these facilities, you will be treated by doctors and nurses who can provide round-the-clock care in a controlled environment which will give you the time and focus you need to work on your addiction. Here are some of the beneficial treatments that inpatient opiate addiction facilities provide:
- Medication
- Group Therapy Sessions
- One-on-One Therapy Sessions
- Family Therapy Sessions
- Meditation
- Exercise Programs
- Arts and Crafts Classes
If you are able to manage your recovery while managing your daily life, outpatient treatment might be a better fit for you. It provides many of the same programs while allowing you to live your life. And after your inpatient program ends, you can continue your treatment at an outpatient facility.
Opiate Addiction Recovery Support
It is very important to reach out to friends and family when undergoing addiction recovery. Nurses, doctors, and therapists can also be essential to your recovery just by listening and providing support. You should not feel like you are alone because everyone who cares for you will want you to get better. Asking for help is okay, and especially in the beginning, it will be essential to your recovery.
Completing Opiate Addiction Recovery
It may begin to feel like there is no finish line, no point where you can finally say "I'm over my addiction." That's because recovery from opiate addiction is a long journey. As the NIDA states, "most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives." But if you remember why you are invested in your recovery and congratulate yourself for taking positive steps, you will get there.
