Opioid addiction is a uniquely complex and challenging condition that profoundly affects individuals and their families.
Chances are high that if you haven’t personally struggled with opioid addiction, you know someone who has– which means that you know how difficult it can be, and the devastating impact it has on individuals, families, and communities.
However, there is hope. Taking the first steps on the path to recovery from opioids means getting started on a transformative journey toward healing, renewal, and a brighter, healthier future.
At Pecan Haven, we’re here to guide and support you through every step of this journey. But if you’re not quite ready to contact a treatment center, we’ve compiled some helpful tips that might motivate you to get started on your own recovery from opioid addiction.
The first step: acknowledgement
The journey to recovery starts with acknowledging the need for help. In twelve-step groups, the first step is admitting that you’re powerless over your substance of choice, and that your life while using this substance has become unmanageable.
Even admitting that a problem exists requires a good deal of courage and self-awareness. Openly recognizing the impact that opioid addiction is having on your life is a major milestone toward seeking positive change.
Seeking professional help
Your chances of recovery are higher if you seek help during the process. This is particularly true for opioid addiction.
Seeking emotional and social support in recovery groups is a good idea, but we’d also recommend seeking out a comprehensive addiction treatment center that can offer specialized programs tailored to your individual needs.
Detoxification: taking care of physical dependence
The very first step of opioid recovery is detoxification. This process helps your body rid itself of opioids.
The process of detoxing can cause a wide variety of withdrawal symptoms that vary from person to person. Detoxing under the supervision of medical professionals keeps you safe and comfortable while managing your withdrawal symptoms.
Medication-assisted treatment
Everyone’s experience with addiction is different. For some people, medication-assisted treatment is a great approach toward recovery from opioids.
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, taking a multifaceted approach to addiction issues.
Some of the medications used might include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. All of these are used to manage cravings and greatly reduce the risk of relapse.
Relapse prevention
Preparing for life after treatment is essential. Addiction treatment centers are great for helping people detox and begin their journey toward recovery, but it’s also very important to recognize that you’ll face familiar challenges when you exit treatment and go back to your “normal life”.
Learning healthy coping mechanisms, and developing stress management techniques, will prove very helpful in maintaining your sobriety over time.
Embrace a new chapter
Recovery from opioids means that you’re beginning a new phase of your life that’s filled with hope, growth, and transformation. During your journey, you’ll experience moments of triumph, self-discovery, and renewed purpose in life.
At Pecan Haven, we understand how complex opioid addiction can be, and the courage it takes to begin the recovery process. We offer comprehensive programs led by experienced professionals to help you work toward recovery in a supportive and healthy environment.
The journey toward healing starts with the very first step: reaching out for help. If you’re ready to take that step, please give us a call today or fill out our online assessment to get started.