Opiates are among the most commonly abused drugs worldwide. They are also among those that cause the highest levels of addictions as evidenced by the increased relapses among patients that have undergone addiction therapy. In spite of this, an equally high number of people have been able to free themselves from these substances thanks to their strong will and strong social support. There are several things on opiate addiction treatment Georgia patients need to understand.
The treatment modalities of opiate addiction are in two major groups: pharmacological drugs and behavioral therapies. Both of these methods are effective and as a matter of fact they are often used alongside each other. Commonly, drugs are used first to manage the intensive phase of treatment and the behavioral interventions introduced later as a complementary intervention. The therapy itself is divided into three major phases.
The first phase is referred to as the detoxification or chemical withdrawal stage. This is the most difficult part of the treatment and is usually managed in a medical facility where complications can be monitored by trained medical personnel. Patients may suffer from a number of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, depression, muscular pains and shaking episodes among others.
The use of opiates is often associated with dependence particularly for the long term users. When one is dependent on a drug, they are unable to perform their daily chores normally until they take the substance. In view of this challenge, it has been recommended that alternatives be provided in the initial phase of treatment to help recovering addicts cope. A drug known as methadone has been shown to be quite useful for this. Others are naltrexone and buprenorphine.
Therapy proper follows the chemical withdrawal stage. The main activity here is counseling. The patient will be enrolled for regular counseling sessions that are done both at individual level and at group level. At individual level, the therapist will seek to establish the cause of the problem and together with the addict come up with strategies that help in reducing the desire for the substances. Group therapy mainly helps in instilling coping skills.
One of the trends that are being adopted is the use of residential homes in therapy. Such a setting enables the patients to enjoy the comfort of a home even as they undergo treatment. They are exposed to recreational activities such as swimming, running, cycling, yoga and meditation among others. This arrangement has been shown to reduce dependence and expedite the recovery process.
The third and final step of therapy is the maintenance stage. This is the long term plan of management and starts as soon as one is released from the inpatient facility. It may last for months or years depending on the response that is exhibited by the recovering addict. The patient will be required to make regular clinic visits for assessment on their progressive. Treatment approaches may be changed or modified during such visits.
Although drugs may be given from time to time, behavioral therapy is the mainstay of treatment at the maintenance stage. The main role of this stage is to prevent relapse among recovering addicts. It is important for the patient to benefit from all the social support that they can get at this point and not rely on the services of the healthcare provider only.
The treatment modalities of opiate addiction are in two major groups: pharmacological drugs and behavioral therapies. Both of these methods are effective and as a matter of fact they are often used alongside each other. Commonly, drugs are used first to manage the intensive phase of treatment and the behavioral interventions introduced later as a complementary intervention. The therapy itself is divided into three major phases.
The first phase is referred to as the detoxification or chemical withdrawal stage. This is the most difficult part of the treatment and is usually managed in a medical facility where complications can be monitored by trained medical personnel. Patients may suffer from a number of withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, depression, muscular pains and shaking episodes among others.
The use of opiates is often associated with dependence particularly for the long term users. When one is dependent on a drug, they are unable to perform their daily chores normally until they take the substance. In view of this challenge, it has been recommended that alternatives be provided in the initial phase of treatment to help recovering addicts cope. A drug known as methadone has been shown to be quite useful for this. Others are naltrexone and buprenorphine.
Therapy proper follows the chemical withdrawal stage. The main activity here is counseling. The patient will be enrolled for regular counseling sessions that are done both at individual level and at group level. At individual level, the therapist will seek to establish the cause of the problem and together with the addict come up with strategies that help in reducing the desire for the substances. Group therapy mainly helps in instilling coping skills.
One of the trends that are being adopted is the use of residential homes in therapy. Such a setting enables the patients to enjoy the comfort of a home even as they undergo treatment. They are exposed to recreational activities such as swimming, running, cycling, yoga and meditation among others. This arrangement has been shown to reduce dependence and expedite the recovery process.
The third and final step of therapy is the maintenance stage. This is the long term plan of management and starts as soon as one is released from the inpatient facility. It may last for months or years depending on the response that is exhibited by the recovering addict. The patient will be required to make regular clinic visits for assessment on their progressive. Treatment approaches may be changed or modified during such visits.
Although drugs may be given from time to time, behavioral therapy is the mainstay of treatment at the maintenance stage. The main role of this stage is to prevent relapse among recovering addicts. It is important for the patient to benefit from all the social support that they can get at this point and not rely on the services of the healthcare provider only.
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