Prescription opioids can relieve pain and make day-to-day life more manageable for those with injuries or chronic discomfort. However, over time, even the use of prescribed opioids can transform into a dependence, then into an addiction. Recovering from opioid addiction is possible, but it takes time, patience, and (most importantly) the right substance use disorder treatment programs.
The team at Virtues Behavioral Health can help you and your loved ones learn more about effective treatment for opioid addiction. Call 855.579.8599 for more information or to speak to a Virtues Behavioral Health team member today.
Identifying the Signs of an Opioid Addiction
Understanding an opioid use disorder takes significant self-awareness and outside assistance. The symptoms that indicate a disorder, after all, can be conflated with anxiety, depression, and mental health concerns that you or a loved one may already be contending with.
The most common signs of an opioid use disorder include:
- Rash or reckless decision making
- Sudden withdrawal from everyday life
- Mood swings
- Physical agitation
- New signs of anger or a willingness to use violence
Note that opioid addiction can cause a person to develop depression or anxiety, depending on their pre-existing conditions and social circumstances. You can speak with a professional to learn more about dual diagnoses and how these conditions, should they develop, may be treated together.
What Causes Opioid Addiction?
Opioids, including codeine, heroin, and prescription painkillers, are often used to control a person’s pain. Someone prescribed an opioid while recovering from a surgery or injury may find themselves reliant on that substance to live a normal life.
To put it another way, the use of opioids not only relieves pain but creates an endorphin response within the brain. The euphoria often accompanied by this sensation does lift a person’s mood, but it also creates a physical dependency on the artificial endorphins opioids provide. Should a person try to stop using opioids, they may find themselves more easily depressed than they once were. The need to cope with this abrupt change in mood can then lead to opioid use disorders.
Opioid Addiction Treatment near Santa Monica, CA
Medical professionals consider opioid addiction to be a chronic condition. Anyone suffering from an opioid use disorder can take advantage of opioid addiction rehab near Santa Monica and beyond. Different treatment programs may suit different people, but all of them are designed to give you and your loved ones the tools you need to start your recovery.
Some of the most common methods of opioid addiction treatment in Los Angeles include:
- 12-step programs
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Opioid substitution
- Outpatient therapy and group counseling
Note that each program has its own requirements for assistance. Reach out to a program representative to determine whether or not the available treatments are right for you.
Preparing for an Opioid Addiction Rehab near Santa Monica
You do not need to try and wean yourself off of opioids before joining an opioid rehab near Santa Monica. Instead, you need to come to terms with your desire to improve your life and recognize that some of your cravings and emotions may no longer be within your control. Once you connect with a medical professional who understands your needs, you can develop a treatment program that fits your schedule and needs.
Connect with Virtues Behavioral Health for Opioid Addiction Treatment Near Santa Monica
Recovering from an opioid use disorder is one thing. Recognizing your disease and acting to resolve it is another entirely. It takes a lot of strength and self-awareness to seek out an opioid addiction treatment program. Know, then, that you don’t have to take on that challenge alone.
If you have any questions about the opioid rehab near Santa Monica, phone Virtues Behavioral Health at 855.579.8599. Our specialists are always there to answer your call for help.
