Opiate Detox

The opiate epidemic continues to rage through the United States and the world as a whole. Today, as many as 16 million people worldwide abuse opiates- more than four times more than 20 years ago. So don’t be ashamed if you have fallen victim to one of the most addictive substances on the planet; opiate addiction is quite literally a spreading disease. But just like most other diseases, it can be treated. At Alamo Behavioral Health, we offer effective opiate rehab using evidence-based methods and an individualized approach to treatment. Our opiate detox center Texas residents proudly recommend is open to all, regardless of age, background, or severity of addiction, but we do specialize in providing trauma-informed care especially suited to veterans. If you or someone you know is suffering, do not hesitate to contact us. We can help you and your loved ones on the path toward recovery.

OPIATES AND OPIOIDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Opioid and opiate are words typically used interchangeably, although they are not the same, to denote a class of substances that interact with opioid receptors in the brain. This prevents pain signals from registering, making opioids and opiates effective painkillers. They can be obtained legally through a prescription intended to help patients manage moderate to severe pain. For many people, they also produce feelings of relaxation, happiness, and even euphoria, which makes them an attractive substance for abuse as well.

Over time, however, opiate users develop a tolerance; they need increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to physical dependency and abuse regardless of how the opiate use originally started. Furthermore, increasing the dose of opiates without medical supervision causes an increased risk of overdose, which is potentially fatal. This deems joining an opiate detox program critical.

TYPES OF OPIATES

Opiates can be naturally occurring, semi-synthetic, and synthetic. The term opiate is used to refer to naturally occurring opiates like morphine and codeine. They are extracted from the opium poppy. Semi-synthetic opiates like oxycodone and heroin are made from naturally occurring opiates through lab processing. Finally, synthetic opiates like fentanyl and methadone are fully created in a lab through chemical processes. Strictly speaking, opiates are the drug class regardless of origin, while opiates are only naturally occurring opiates. However, the effects, effectiveness, and addictiveness do not depend on the origin of the substance – all opiates are dangerous when misused.

THE OPIATE EPIDEMIC IN NUMBERS

Opiates are among the most commonly abused substances in the United States. Between 1.5 and 2 million Americans are addicted to opiates of some kind. The problem is so widespread that the Center for Disease Control has classified it as an opioid epidemic. People have been abusing opiates for as long as they have existed. But the world saw a sharp increase in opiate addictions starting in the 1990s. Opiates synthesized at this time were marketed as less addictive and dangerous than the previous generation of pain medication. Owing to this misconception, doctors started prescribing opiates for pain management more commonly. The overprescription of medication that was, in reality, highly addictive led to higher rates of dependence and abuse. At the same time, opiates became more easily available on the black market. All of this led to an increase in rates of dependency and abuse.

Today, opiates are the leading cause of fatal overdoses in the country. In 2021, more than 80,000 people died from opiate overdoses – almost double the number of opiate overdoses in 2017 (around 47,000) and four times as many as in 2010 (just over 21,000). Heroin used to be the most common opiate involved in overdoses, but its use has been on the decline since 2015. Synthetic opiates, primarily fentanyl, are the main cause of fatal overdoses today. These overdose deaths are entirely preventable. Not only is their effective treatment available at opiate rehab centers in Texas but there is also medication that counteracts the effects of opiates and can be lifesaving in the case of an overdose. So don’t wait – seek help before you become a part of a statistic because treatment can quite literally be the difference between life and death.

The opiate epidemic in Texas

The opiate epidemic in Texas has reached alarming proportions, with a shocking statistic revealing that one in four Texans has either personally experienced an opiate overdose or knows someone who has. This data was derived from comprehensive panel surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021, involving a total of 3,347 adult participants from various regions across the state. The survey ensured the representation of diverse demographics, encompassing factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity, to provide an accurate snapshot of the situation. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and policies to address the opiate crisis, protect communities, and provide support for those struggling with opiate addiction in the Lone Star State.

GET HELP FOR OPIATE ADDICTION AT ALAMO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Opiate addiction is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease. The prolonged use of opiates, even when it doesn’t lead to an overdose, can permanently damage your health. Because opiates interfere with your opioid receptors, they can alter the way you perceive pain – making you either less or, conversely, more sensitive to it even after you stop taking the drugs. Slowed breathing, brain fog, and sleep disruptions can persist even after detox, and circulation problems can lead to muscle atrophy or even brain damage. To avoid all this, you’ll want to seek help at an opiate detox center Texas offers sooner rather than later.

Keep in mind that you are exhibiting signs of addiction if you:

• use prescription painkillers differently from how the prescription dictates (taking higher doses, medicating more often, crushing up pills instead of swallowing them whole, etc.)
• combine pain medication with other potentially addictive substances like alcohol and other drugs
• start to experience symptoms of withdrawal and cravings when you do not take opiates for more than 12-24 hours
• look forward to your next use of opiates and prioritize it over work, school, hobbies, and relationships
• have changed doctors to avoid being questioned about your opiate use
• use illegal or illegally obtained opiates regularly
• take opiates to deal with negative emotions or to get high – your opiate use is not solely about managing pain
• are hiding your opiate use, lying about it to your loved ones, and isolating yourself to avoid detection
• have tried to stop taking opiates and have been unsuccessful

If you notice that you’ve lost control over your use of opiates, seek professional help as soon as possible. Experts at Alamo Behavioral Health can lead you on the path to sobriety and healing in a safe, compassionate, and caring environment.

DETOX SAFELY AT OUR OPIATE DETOX CENTER IN TEXAS

As dangerous as opiate use is, stopping it can be just as bad. When you start to detox from opiates, you may experience restlessness and anxiety, a runny nose, teary eyes, the inability to sleep, and general aches and pains to begin with. In later stages, the symptoms will get worse and include nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, blurry vision, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. Some of these pose a health risk, especially to those who already have medical issues from before. For this reason, it is always best to detox under medical supervision. At our residential rehab in San Antonio, you can do just that: safely detox your body of opiates under the watchful eye of our expert staff, who will do everything they can to keep you as comfortable as possible.

During the admissions process, we will make note of your physical condition as well as any potential dangers to your health. So when you start treatment at our detox center, we will know what to pay attention to. We will also guide you through the process, gradually weaning you off the substances you are addicted to and, if necessary, providing other medication to mitigate the effects of detox. Our goal is for your first step toward sobriety to be as safe and comfortable as it can be.

MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT AS A PART OF OPIATE REHAB IN TEXAS

Opiates are notorious for their long-term effects and the strong cravings they can cause. These often make recovery and long-term sobriety more difficult to achieve. But one thing that can help is medication assisted treatment in TX. The FDA has approved buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone for use in opiate detox centers Texas offers. When taken under the guidance of a licensed medical professional, these medications can mitigate the symptoms of detox, diminish the strength of cravings, lower the risk of relapse, and make lethal overdose less likely in the case of relapse. As such, they are a good option for people who suffer from severe cases of addiction or recurring relapses.

But don’t worry – we won’t medicate you unnecessarily. While MAT is a useful tool in the addiction treatment toolbox, it is not for everyone. Not only does every medication come with its own side effects, but many also feel like they are only replacing one addiction with another, especially when using methadone which is a synthetic opiate itself. So we always take into account your experience of addiction as well as your personal preference when deciding whether to recommend medication or not.

COMPREHENSIVE THERAPY DURING OPIATE REHAB IN SAN ANTONIO

Therapy is the basis of any effective addiction treatment, including ours. During your stay at our facility, you will attend therapy daily – sometimes even more than once a day. This will give you the opportunity to explore the causes of your addiction, understand yourself and your condition better, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and gain confidence in your ability to stay sober in the future. We provide psychotherapy for addiction in a variety of forms:

• group therapy for addiction is the place for you to discuss addiction-related topics with your peers under the guidance of a professional counselor
• individual therapy for addiction is your chance to have in-depth sessions with a therapist where you explore not just your addiction but any other issues you feel are relevant
• family therapy for addiction will help you rebuild bonds with your loved ones so that you can better rely on them in the future

DUAL DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT AT OUR OPIATE DETOX CENTER TEXAS RELIES ON

Addiction and mental illness often go hand in hand. If you have turned to opiates as a way to deal with your declining mental health, we won’t judge you. If your addiction has triggered or worsened your mental condition, we understand. We are only here to help, not to condemn. To that end, we provide dual diagnosis treatment in San Antonio for all the conditions that commonly co-occur with addiction. This type of holistic treatment for mental health is the only way to treat mutually impacting conditions successfully – when your stay at our opiate detox center in Texas improves your overall mental health, there will be less chance that you relapse because of mental illness or that your mental illness worsens after detox.

PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE AND SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS AFTER OPIATE REHAB IN SAN ANTONIO

Relapse rates for opiates are exceptionally high – 72-88% of people relapse within three years of successfully completing treatment. Our goal is for you not to contribute to those numbers. So we will do what we can to prepare you for maintaining your sobriety yourself once you leave our facilities. Toward the end of your treatment, you will have therapy sessions specifically dedicated to discussing your plans for aftercare. This can be anything from joining our Alumni network to a stay at a sober living home to attending free 12-step programs at your local VA. You’ll find something that works for you with the help of our experts.

ALAMO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH – THE RIGHT OPIATE DETOX CENTER IN TEXAS FOR YOU

If you are looking for a place that can help you leave addiction behind, then Alamo Behavioral Health is the obvious choice. We provide caring and compassionate care in a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. Like any reputable rehab facility, we offer:

• evidence-based methods – our drug addiction treatment follows the latest recommendations to ensure you’re getting effective care
• individualized treatment – at our opiate rehab in San Antonio TX, everyone gets treatment uniquely tailored to their needs
• a trauma-informed approach to care – we provide trauma-informed care that takes into account your mental state
• rehab for veterans – we are one of the few opiate rehab centers in Texas that specialize in assisting veterans

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD SOBRIETY, AND CONTACT US TODAY!

If you are ready to take your future back, then don’t hesitate to contact us. You will always find the help you need at our opiate detox center Texas is proud to have. We are open 24/7 and ready to assist you whenever you need us. At Alamo Behavioral Health, your recovery is the priority. So put your trust in us – you won’t regret it!

TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH ONE CALL

Reach out to our detox center in San Antonio and jumpstart your recovery. Our all-inclusive inpatient rehab for veterans in Texas is there for you.

EXPLORE OUR TREATMENT OPTIONS

Discuss your treatment and insurance options with your San Antonio rehab advisor and find the most effective recovery program for you.

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Let us help you regain control of your life today! Move forward with your treatment in one of the most serene detox centers in San Antonio.