In our country, many people are in need of opiate rehab. Opiates cover a wide range of drugs, including illegal drugs such as heroin and opium, and they also include many prescription pain medicine drugs such as Codeine, Morphine, Oxycodone (i.e., Oxycontin), and Hydrocodone (i.e., Vicodin). Opiate addiction is a major problem in the U.S., especially with prescription opiates since these medications are so easy for people to obtain. Also, frighteningly, prescription opiate abusers are much more likely to develop a heroin addiction, as it will bring a similar high for a cheaper price.

9 Totally BS Facts About Opiate Rehab (That Everyone Stills Thinks Are True)

There are many myths that people assume are true regarding opiate rehab and treatment. Here are some myths regarding addiction and rehab and the reasons they are false.

 

If it’s a prescription, it must be safe; you can’t have a drug addiction to something your doctor prescribes.

Many opiates are initially prescribed by a doctor to alleviate pain. If taken at the right dose, these prescription medications can be safe. However, any long-term use of prescription opiates can lead to an addiction, even if used as prescribed. This is because you can develop a tolerance to the drug with prolonged use, meaning the same amount of the drug has a lesser effect than it once did.. Users will begin to take more of the drug to get the same effect they once had with a smaller dose, leading to abuse and a stronger potential for overdose.

Drug addiction is a voluntary behavior.

While initial drug use is a choice, prolonged use of said drug can change the brain chemistry, increasing mental dependency on the drug. This eventually leads to compulsive and often uncontrollable drug use due to the subtle to severe changes to your brain that the drugs cause.

Drug treatment isn’t a necessity, people can stop using opiates if they really want to.

It is extremely difficult for chronic drug abusers to maintain abstinence from their drug of choice if they have not received proper treatment. Long term drug use actually changes the way the brain functions, therefore making the user crave the drug even more. This makes it much more difficult for the user to quit cold turkey on their own.

There should be a standard treatment program for everyone.

There is no “one size fits all” form of treatment, as different people have different drug abuse-related problems. They also can respond differently to similar forms of treatment, even when they are using the same drug. Treatment is, therefore, more effective when addicts receive an array of treatments and services catered to their specific needs.

Detox is all you need; you are no longer addicted to a drug after you finish detox.

Detox is very difficult, and it is only the first step towards recovery. Also, the more rapid detox treatments can be really dangerous to your health. Because addiction is a chronic illness, it needs to be managed throughout one’s lifespan, and there is no cure.

You have to want drug treatment for it to be effective.

Treatment does not necessarily have to be voluntary in order to be effective since virtually no one wants drug treatment. Many who seek treatment are mandated by the court or are encouraged by a loved one. Studies show that those who receive treatment from a “high pressure” facility that forces them to confront their issues head on show excellent long-term recovery, regardless of the initial reason for seeking treatment. Often those who are coerced into treatment by the legal system even do better in rehab than those who go voluntarily, as they are more likely to stay to complete the program.

Treatment for drug addiction should be a one-shot deal.

Drug addiction is typically a chronic disorder. While it is possible for some people to quit “cold turkey” or through one course of rehab, the vast majority require long-term treatment to combat their addiction, and some repeated treatments at a rehab facility.

People who continue to abuse drugs after treatment are hopeless.

Those who relapse are not a failure, as psychological stress can easily be a trigger. It is entirely possible to relapse, but many of those who do can realize their mistake and get right back in recovery.

When drug addicts really apply themselves, they can recover from chemical dependency in a relatively short period of time.

There are no shortcuts to addiction recovery. Research has validified that those who remain in treatment for a year – 60-90 days in a licensed drug rehab facility followed by extensive aftercare – are twice as likely to remain clean and sober as those who seek treatment for a shorter amount of time.