Opioid Rehab for Fort Pierce Residents

Opioid Rehab for Fort Pierce Residents

The availability of prescription opioids has led to the widespread abuse of opioids throughout the United States. Opioids include street drugs such as heroin and prescription pain relievers. This highly addictive substance not only causes severe problems for the abuser in their relationships and family, but it also causes issues with their mental and physical health – it can even result in overdose death if it is not treated professionally. At our opioid rehab in South Florida, treatment programs are available that are specifically designed to treat opioid addiction.

Opioid abuse often starts with prescription pain relievers, but roughly 6 percent of those who abused opioid pain relievers eventually transition into heroin abuse when they can no longer obtain a steady supply of prescriptions.

Opioids have always been dangerous, but in recent years, fentanyl has made it onto the market. It is by far the most powerful opioid and is the leading cause of opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States. Stopping an addiction to opioids at our opioid rehab is of vital importance in order to avoid the deadly consequences that a progression of the disease often has.

Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic in the United States is a national health emergency. Many organizations have come together in an effort to prevent further loss of life and to improve the poor quality of life that opioid abuse causes.

One of the ways in which the national health crisis is being tackled is through collecting as much data as possible. Among the statistics that have come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include alarming findings such as on average, 130 people die daily from the direct result of opioid overdose. Due to fentanyl being added to more and more illicit drugs, the death tolls are expected to continue.

In 2017, almost 70 percent of all drug overdose deaths were caused by the abuse of prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl-laced drugs. From 1999 to 2017, the overdose deaths caused by opioid abuse increased by six times. From 2016 to 2017, cases of opioid overdose in large cities rose by as much as 54 percent across 16 states.

Statistics collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicate that 80 percent of heroin users first started their opioid abuse with prescription opioids. In this sense, prescription pain killers can be a gateway to heroin abuse.

As many as 29 percent of people who use prescription opioids for pain management will abuse them. Of all the people who use opioids, up to 12 percent will form an opioid use disorder (addiction).

History of Opioid Addiction

So, where did the opioid addiction crisis originate? According to NIDA, the crisis started when pharmaceutical companies marketed their opioid pain relievers as safe, non-addictive medication for the treatment of chronic or severe pain in the early 1990s. Healthcare providers were promised by these companies that their products were not addictive, and as a result, prescriptions for the drugs increased.

What followed was widespread abuse of opioid drugs as people were becoming physically addicted. It became clear to the public and healthcare professionals that the drugs were in fact highly addictive.

As prescriptions become harder to get, the second wave of the epidemic of addiction began: heroin addiction. It was becoming increasingly difficult to obtain an opioid prescription and since many people had become reliant on the drug, many turned to heroin. This caused a surge in overdose deaths caused by heroin overdose.

The final wave of the opioid epidemic began as a result of fentanyl – a synthetic, powerful opioid. Drug dealers were adding the drug to weaker drugs in order to get a cheap boost in potency, but this caused many people to overdose.

Fentanyl continues to be the main opioid driving the opioid epidemic and loss of life due to opioid addiction and abuse.

How to Detox from Opioids

When someone tries to stop abusing opioids after forming a habit, they will soon find that there are withdrawal symptoms that can set in within hours. These withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable to deal with, often describe as the worst flu-like symptoms.

However, in order to beat an opioid addiction, a detox must take place. In our opioid rehab we have programs that assist in overcoming these symptoms, known as a medical detox program.

The medical detox program at our opioid rehabgives patients a way to deal with symptoms, making it far easier to get through detox. These medications are approved by the FDA and include medical drugs such as clonidine, methadone, methocarbamol, and chlorpromazine among others. Some treat specific symptoms while others can act as a way to taper off opioids at a safer, more comfortable speed in order to reduce the many negative side effects of quitting.

What Opioid Rehab is Like

Our programs at our opioid rehab are focused on providing clinical and holistic care for opioid abuse. We have specialized programs that are ideal for opioid addiction recovery, and we have been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for these programs.

Rehab for opioid addiction involves a medically assisted detox, and then focuses on behavioral therapies, family therapy, and holistic therapy to help an addict make the changes in their life that will help them to stop drug abuse for good.

These programs are offered in an inpatient our outpatient settings, and both settings will incorporate group and individual therapy to treat patients.

The time in our opioid rehab will be spent in a healing environment surrounded by supporting staff that provide the treatments that we offer. The experience of rehab is a healing one that supports a person through all of the changes they need to make.

Sober-Friendly Attractions near Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce in Palm Beach Country, FL, has several attractions that both tourists and locals can enjoy. Between therapy, one might enjoy one of the restaurants such as the Costa Azul Mexican Restaurant or 12A Buoy. Alternatively, spend time on the beach at one of the fantastic local beaches in Fort Pierce, such as Blind Creek Beach, South Beach Park, or Jetty Park.

Do not hesitate to contact us at (888) 534-2295 to start with your treatment program for opioid addiction, or to find out more information on how to help a loved one that’s addicted to opioids.