Detoxing from prescription opiates is a fundamental step in the road to recovery. But after completing detox treatment, the journey is still far from over. There is still an 85% chance of relapsing on opiates after 1 year of sobriety.
Once the body rids itself of opiates, those in recovery need to decide what their next step is. That way, they can minimize their chances of relapsing.
There are different forms of opioid addiction treatment. Each provides their own special approaches in paving the way to a life of sobriety.
Prescription Opiates Inpatient
The physical symptoms of detox from pain pills begin to subside after 72 hours. It can take months, even years, for opiate addicts to recover psychologically.
After long periods of abuse and addiction, the brain needs time to learn how to function sober again. It’s important for newly-detoxed individuals to consider their options in opiate treatment.
What is Inpatient Treatment?
Inpatient rehabilitation provides round-the-clock services to addicts who are overcoming powerful addictions. Those with severe opiates addictions can benefit the most from this kind of care.
By living at the rehab facility, patients can focus on their recovery 24/7. They have access to medical staff, as well as mental health specialists at all hours of the day.
Those recovering from severe addiction often need physical distance from the outside world. As they start to rebuild their lives, they need as little stress and temptation as possible.
Your doctors in inpatient care will form an individualized plan to meet your needs. They’ll provide any necessary medications to cope with withdrawal and mental-related issues.
You’ll spend the majority of your time in individual therapy and group therapy. You’ll also spend a lot of time engaging in wellness activities with the other residents.
Standard Length of Prescription Opiates Inpatient Treatment
The standard length of stay at an inpatient facility ranges between 30 and 90 days. The more severe a person’s addiction is, the longer they’ll typically stay.
A patient’s mental state can determine their length of stay in inpatient treatment. If someone is coping with severe depression, for example, they may stay longer. It’s not unheard of for patients to stay several months or longer.
Prescription Opiates Outpatient
Inpatient rehabilitation is not the only option in recovery. Many newly-detoxed addicts often get admitted into outpatient facilities.
There are a lot of similarities between inpatient and outpatient treatment. But the environments do function differently.
What is Outpatient Treatment?
While admitted into an outpatient program, patients arrive in the morning and go home at the end of the day. Throughout the day, patients spend most of their time in individual and group therapy. Some patients may receive specialized counseling depending on their individual case.
Those who have recently detoxed may still be taking withdrawal management medication. Their prescribing doctors may or may not be available at the outpatient facility. Outpatients still receive regular medical check-ups the same way those in inpatient do.
Though outpatients leave at the end of the day, they’re required to return on time the following day.
Standard Length of Prescription Opiates Outpatient Treatment
Outpatients aren’t fully admitted into the hospital. So, they tend to spend far less time in treatment compared to inpatients. Usually, they’ll spend a minimum of 10 to 15 hours per week at the facility – or more.
Depending on the severity of one’s addiction, they may spend as little as one week in outpatient. In more serious cases, patients can spend months in outpatient treatment.
Prescription Opiates Sober Living
What happens after someone gets released from opioid addiction treatment? Patients are often released to a spouse, friend, or relative. The hope is for them to resume their work and personal lives – without prescription opiates.
For many recovering addicts, however, they need more time to transition into sobriety.
What is Prescription Opiates Sober Living?
Sober living is the next phase in recovery following detox and rehabilitation. The idea behind it is to help recovering addicts transition back into the community. Many refer to these facilities as sober houses or halfway houses.
Sober living facilities are communal. Recovering addicts live together in what is sometimes described as a “sober household.” Every resident pays to live there and chips in with chores and maintenance.
What to Expect
Residents support one another through recovery and the transition to a sober life.
It’s not uncommon for sober houses to require their residents to complete detox and rehab. It’s beneficial for everyone to essentially be on the same page in their recovery. Someone who is more likely to relapse could pose a threat to someone farther along in recovery.
There are no drugs or alcohol allowed on the premises. Each sober house has their own rules which every resident must abide by.
In sober living, residents can work and participate in outside activities. They can visit their friends and families. They can enjoy hobbies outside the sober living home.
They cannot break any house rules, however. Nor can they or should they use or seek out prescription opiates. If they’re caught doing so, it’s likely they’ll lose their place in the home.
Sober living residents usually stay anywhere from a couple months to a year. It’s not unheard of for residents to stay far longer.
Ongoing Recovery
After transitioning out of rehab or sober living, the journey to recovery still isn’t over. Once back in the community, recovering addicts are more vulnerable to using again. That’s why it’s important to continue ongoing opiate treatment.
There are a few options when it comes to continuing recovery. The best thing is to meet on a regular basis with an addiction or a mental health specialist. They can help with strengthening coping skills and getting through big life events.
Many in recovery attend 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These programs encourage individuals to meet with sponsors who are in long-term recovery.
It’s also important to be proactive in living a sober life. This helps to minimize the chances of relapsing.
Recovering addicts should find new hobbies they can enjoy sober. It helps to connect with others in recovery and form sober friendships.
Taking the First Step in Recovery
The road to recovery has its ups and downs. But every milestone reached makes all the trials and trying times worth it at the end of the day.
Those recovering from prescription opiates addiction don’t have to go it alone. Recovering addicts will find immense support in detox, rehab, and in sober living.
It all begins with making the first step to get help. It’s important to know your coverage options before taking that step. Learn more about which treatments are available to you through your health insurance.
