Now is a Great Time to Get Sober
If you are considering getting help with a substance addiction, there’s never been a better time than right now. There are more tools available to the addiction treatment specialists who will help you than ever before. From medications to ease the discomfort of detox to new therapies that help the newly sober individual thrive in recovery, the experience of receiving treatment is continually becoming easier and more pleasant.
What to Expect When You Seek Treatment for Opiate Addiction
The first 1-5 days (and occasionally longer)
The first are spent undergoing a medical detoxification. Quitting opiates “cold turkey” has been known as one of the toughest detoxifications to go through, but the good news is that what could be a harrowing (and potentially dangerous) experience if attempted on your own can greatly be alleviated if you admit for treatment at a reputable detox like at 10 Acre.
Primary Treatment Begins (days 5-14)
After Detox, the process of receiving “primary care” treatment begins. The man will “come out of the fog” of his drug use and begin his therapeutic regimen to address the underlying issues that fueled his substance abuse. He should be surrounded by others in various stages of early recovery in order to feel the camaraderie that comes from being part of a newly recovering community.
Cravings will be present, but much less so than during the detox. The goal during the first 2 weeks of primary treatment is to avoid relapse and start acknowledging areas that need to be addressed in order to achieve lasting abstinence from the drug of choice.
Completion of Primary Treatment (days 15-90)
Throughout the rest of primary (residential) treatment, the man should be working with clinicians at the center where he is receiving treatment to build a strong foundation for long term recovery. Of primary importance is that he identify the ‘triggers’ that have made him succumb to using his drug of choice in the past, and create an alternative response that is more healthy.
It also bodes well for the man’s long-term sobriety if he is immersed in the 12-Step community – whether it be the mainstay Alcoholics Anonymous, or one of the other organizations (Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, We Agnostics, etc).
Integration Back into Society (the rest of the first year)
The first 30-90 days sobriety should be spent at a primary treatment at a residential facility like 10 Acre Ranch which has a 24 hour staff where the man will be closely monitored. If he is progressing well and has maintained sobriety, then he should start “stepping down” in the level of care to gradually re-integrate back into society. After our clients are done with our primary care program, we like to see them continue by participating in a less intensive outpatient treatment schedule during which they can live in a sober living environment nearby (or possibly return home).
The man can re-enter the school or the work force, but it’s important that the he maintains a commitment to his recovery program above all else, for he stands to lose everything he’s gained if he does not stay sober. It’s recommended that he maintain some kind of counseling and drug-testing regimen throughout the first year in order to stay accountable and reduce the temptation to relapse.
A Note about Length of Treatment
Statistically, there is a strong correlation between time spent in residential, primary treatment program and the likelihood of achieving the one year sobriety milestone. The 90 day milestone of residential treatment is notable because it seems to be a ‘tipping point’ of sorts at which time the likelihood of achieving the one year of sobriety milestone drastically increases.
Our Intake Counselors are Standing By if You Have Questions
We now hope there is less mystery around what to expect when you or a loved one gets treatment and starts the road back from opiates (like Oxycontin and heroin). Call our intake counselors at 1-877-228-4679 today for a complimentary and confidential assessment and have all of your questions answered. A reminder that now is a great time to start the road to recovery, and you will feel so much better after you take the first step and call for more information.
