Medication-Assisted Treatment Might Be The Solution For Your Opioid Addiction

If you're addicted to opioids, you may fear going into treatment because of the way you feel when you can't take drugs. However, treatment for opioid addiction includes treatments that make going through withdrawals easier to tolerate. This may include taking medications that assist detox and reduce cravings. Once your withdrawal phase is over, you may continue to take medications during rehab in what's called medication-assisted treatment. Here's why medications can be an important part of your recovery:

The Medications Help With Detox And Cravings

There are a few choices your doctors can use when you're in rehab for opioid addiction. However, these drugs aren't addictive in the same way opioids are addictive, so you're not trading one addiction for another. Instead, the drugs make detox easier to endure and can help you reduce physical cravings. The drugs won't make your addiction go away, because you'll still have the habitual and psychological attachment to taking drugs that you have to work through. Some of the drugs are slow-acting and are given by injection, while others need to be taken daily. Sticking with a medication regimen could make it much easier for you to complete rehabilitation and conquer your addiction.

Medications Can Help You Complete Therapy

Medications used for opioid addiction treatments are given with the goal to help you make it through recovery. By making your cravings easier to control, the medications help you focus on going through therapy, where the deep work on addiction is done. You might attend an outpatient type of treatment or go to a residential facility, but the amount of therapy you undergo is usually intense and consists of individual and group sessions. Therapy helps you understand your addiction and helps you cope with the problems that drive you to use drugs to escape unpleasant memories or situations. Therapy can also teach you coping mechanisms so you can turn to other methods of calming yourself rather than drugs.

By Sticking With Therapy You Learn New Life Skills

Sticking with a therapy program is important for helping you deal with emotional issues, but it's also important so you can learn new life skills. You'll have the chance to break old patterns and be away from people and things that trigger your drug use. Additionally, when you stay in a residential facility or stay all day in an outpatient setting, you have the chance to learn new skills, exercise, improve your diet, and meet people who have goals and a positive outlook on life that can inspire you to change your life in a positive way.

An addiction is similar to having a chronic disease. You always have to monitor it and keep it in check so the addiction doesn't harm your health or destroy your life. Sometimes, taking medication for a while may be an important part of your treatment. However, medication may not always be necessary. Start by finding a drug addiction professional who can assess your condition and guide you to the right form of opioid addiction treatment based on your level of addiction.