Deciding to get help for an opioid addiction can be extremely difficult. Rest assured, however, that an opioid treatment program in Florida can help you to combat the challenges that come with this addiction. Read on to find out about what you should look for in opioid treatment as well as the best opioid treatment programs in Florida for you.
The Opioid Crisis in Florida
The opioid epidemic continues to surge throughout Florida, with thousands of people dying from drug-related overdoses each year. Unfortunately, many people do not seek out help for an opioid addiction until they have already developed an addiction. before it is too late.
There are many different reasons as to why somebody might struggle with an opioid addiction. One contributing element is the fact that prescription drugs like opioids are easily accessible. A lot of doctors prescribe these opioids for patients who are struggling with chronic pain or other health disorders that cause discomfort. And while taken for good reasons, these prescriptions are still highly addictive.
Furthermore, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are easy to manufacture and distribute. In fact, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that many illegal drugs that are being sold are actually mixed with fentanyl or similar highly-addictive substances without users’ knowledge.
Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid, estimated to be more than 100 times as effective as morphine. And without knowing what dose you’re taking, it’s impossible to lower your risk of overdose. Thus, fentanyl lacing has caused an increase in addiction rates as well as a jump in the amount of drug-related overdoses. That’s why seeking help at qualified opioid treatment programs in Florida has never been more vital.
Side Effects of Opioid Addiction
The side effects of an opioid addiction can impact one’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Common physical side effects can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Breathing difficulties
- Changes in sleeping patterns
In addition to becoming physically dependent on opioids, which can also leave users with severe withdrawal symptoms, having an addiction to opioids can be detrimental to mental health as well. By disrupting work and your social life, it can disrupt mental wellbeing and lead to a litany of other, more severe symptoms.
All this said, it’s clear that the consequences of leaving an opioid addiction untreated can be life-threatening. This is why it is essential to find the best opioid treatment programs in Florida—the door to recovery could be right around the corner.
What To Look For in Florida Opioid Treatment Programs
There are a variety of Florida rehab centers that address different addiction concerns, from alcoholism to drug use. However, it’s important to find a center that is equipped to keep you safe, comfortable, and prepared for the journey ahead. Therefore, the top rehab facilities in Florida will offer two key opportunities:
Medical Opioid Detox
Medical drug detox involves the process of detoxing but in a way that is safe. Detoxing from opioids can be very taxing on the mind and body. Though it’s possible to detox at home by quitting drugs “cold turkey,” when done improperly, the withdrawal symptoms from detoxing can be severe or even life-threatening.
Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Anxiety or depression
- Body aches
- Stomach pain
- Aspiration
Withdrawal is an intense experience and one that frequently leads people to relapse in order to find relief from the discomfort. Unfortunately, this can make people feel discouraged early on in their recovery journey and might result in them giving up or feeling as though they aren’t strong enough to continue.
This is why medical drug detox is so beneficial. In medical detox, patients have 24/7 care. What this means is that healthcare professionals are there to monitor any withdrawal symptoms to make sure that each patient is safe and as comfortable, physically and emotionally, as possible.
The top opioid treatment programs don’t just offer supervised detox, though—they also include the option to have medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is an option that helps to guide patients through detox by providing medications that ease withdrawal symptoms.
When it comes to opioid detox, some patients fear that getting the drugs out of their system will bring back chronic pain or mental health struggles. But it shouldn’t have to be a choice between recovery and pain. There is a way to manage both pain and mental health symptoms, while still working toward sobriety.
For example, medications like Suboxone can assist in the detox process because it works like any other opioid would but without giving the addictive “high” that patients in recovery are trying to avoid. In a medical opioid detox in Florida, the treatment center can provide medications like these to keep patients comfortable and on track with their recovery goals.
Dual Diagnosis Program
The other important treatment option to look for in a Florida rehab would be a dual diagnosis program. Dual diagnosis treatment focuses on two aspects of recovery: mental health and addiction. After all, addiction and mental health go hand-in-hand for many people.
Research shows that approximately half of all people who have a mental health disorder also struggle with addiction. Conditions like anxiety, depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others are closely linked with substance abuse.
When addiction and mental health are addressed at the same time through a dual diagnosis program, the likelihood of long-term recovery increases. If patients learn the skills needed to manage addiction, they will be able to be proactive about their mental health. On the flip side, if patients receive treatment for their mental health disorders, they will be in a more stable, secure place to use healthy coping strategies so that they do not need to turn to opioids in times of duress.
Dual diagnosis treatment is unique to each individual case but can include recovery approaches such as:
- Group therapy
- 12-step program
- Medication management
- Relapse prevention
- Supplemental therapies
When looking for the best opioid treatment program in Florida, be sure to seek out one that has both medical detox and dual diagnosis treatment. These treatment options, when combined, help to get you on the path toward healing your body and mind from the struggles of opioid addiction.
The Top Opioid Treatment Program in Florida
One of the top rehab facilities in Florida that has medical detox, a dual diagnosis program, and many more treatment options is Port St. Lucie Hospital. We recognize the complexities of opioid addiction and all the ways that it can quickly take control of your physical and mental health. Though the battle is hard, with the right treatment options, you can find peace again.
To learn more about what makes our hospital one of the best opioid treatment programs in Florida, give us a call at 772-408-5871. Not quite ready to talk? Fill out our online confidential contact form with your questions. We’re ready to help you find strength in recovery.
