Opiate Addiction Treatment in West Virginia

Opioids are a class of substances that interact with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Blocking these receptors prevents pain signals from traveling from the body to the brain. This makes opioids very effective painkillers. Doctors will typically prescribe opioids like oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl to patients with moderate to severe pain. But although opioids can and do help many people live more comfortably and with less pain, they are not risk-free. Like all medications, they have side effects which become more likely and more severe with prolonged use. Tolerance to opioids develops over time, requiring higher doses to produce the same effects. Eventually, opioid users may become dependent or even addicted to their prescription medication.

Opioids can be naturally occurring (opiates), semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic. Opiates, like morphine and codeine, are extracted from plants like the opium poppy. Semi-synthetic opioids, like oxycodone and heroin, are derived from natural opioids in a lab. Synthetic opioids, like methadone and fentanyl, are created entirely in labs. Whether an opioid is natural or synthetic does not affect its potency; all opioids are controlled substances because of their likelihood to cause addiction. In fact, opioids are among the most commonly abused substances in the US. People who seek treatment at an opiate rehab center are most likely to be addicted to heroin, fentanyl, methadone, or oxycodone.

We have known about the pain-relieving effects of opiates for thousands of years. The earliest reference to the use of opium dates back to more than 4,000 years ago. At least since then, opium and substances derived from it have been in more or less consistent use. In the wars of the 1800s and 1900s, morphine and heroin were both common painkillers in battlefield hospitals and became widespread across the globe.

But we have also always known that opioids are highly addictive. Restrictions on their use were established already in the 1910s and 1920s. Then, the Controlled Substance Act of 1971 classified all opioids as controlled substances due to their addictive potential. To make matters worse, they are very difficult to kick (especially for people who have chronic pain who need to find some other kind of pain management) and often require treatment for chronic relapses. Because of the tolerance that builds up with opioid use, overdoses are also fairly common.

The consequences of opiate use for individuals

Although opiates can be exceptionally effective in relieving pain when used under the supervision of a medical professional, prolonged misuse can cause serious consequences. Because opiates interfere with the brain’s interpretation of pain signals, they can cause you to experience pain in different ways from normal; conversely, you may become significantly more sensitive to pain due to the use of opioids. By interfering in the transmission of signals to the brain, opiates can also cause you to feel temperature differently and become more sensitive to cold in particular.

The effects of opioids include slowed breathing, brain fog, and sleep disruptions (such as the inability to fall asleep and the inability to stay awake). Over time, these can cause permanent damage to your body. Labored breathing can lead to hypoxia and brain damage while changes to blood pressure can cause circulation problems that lead to atrophy of muscles and internal organs (in particular the bowels). Brain fog and fatigue can all make you more prone to falls; lack of sleep due to insomnia can also affect your immune system. Finally, you may injure or infect yourself in the process of taking drugs, especially as in intravenous user.

These are potentially permanent and even life-threatening issues. It’s important to prevent them if possible or treat them as soon as possible once they do occur. So if you have lost control over your opioid use, seek treatment for addiction at an opiate rehab center quickly.

The consequences of opiate use for society at large

You’ve probably heard that the US has a problem with an opioid epidemic. In part due to the increased availability of opiates on the black market and in part due to doctors overprescribing painkillers when they mistakenly believed these wouldn’t cause addiction, more people than ever are addicted to and overdose on opioids. More than 10 million people misuse prescription opioids and more than 70,000 die from it on a yearly basis. Between 1.5 and 2 million people suffer from an opioid abuse disorder and almost 3/4 million people abuse heroin. On top of that, around 50,000 people try heroin for the first time; 1.5 million more misuse prescription painkillers for the first time every year.

Opiate-related overdose deaths are on the rise as well, although the drug causing the highest number of overdoses changes. There have been three separate waves of opioid overdose deaths:

• the late 1990s saw an increase in deaths related to prescription painkillers,
• heroin overdose deaths increased in the 2010s,
• and since around 2015 onward, synthetic opioids like fentanyl have caused the most deaths.

Many opioid users combine opioids with other drugs, which increases the risk of accidental death.

Not everyone who uses opioids needs to go into opiate rehab West Virginia; plenty of people use opioids to manage pain without becoming addicted to them. So where is the line and how will you know when you’ve crossed it? First, you need to understand that there is a difference between dependence and addiction. Dependence is typically refers to the physical dependence on a substance. A person with chronic pain may, for example, depend on opioids to live a normal life; without opioids, their body will not function like it normally does. Addiction, on the other hand, refers to both physical and mental aspects of reliance on a substance.

Dependence is easier to recognize – if you experience signs of withdrawal when not using the substance for an extended period of time, you are dependent on it. Addiction is somewhat more complicated. Here are some of the signs you may be addicted to opiates:

• you use prescription opioids differently from how they were prescribed to be used (in higher dosages or more often)
• you use illegally manufactured or illegally obtained opioids (like heroin or black-market fentanyl) regularly
• if you do not use opiates for more than 12-24 hours, you start experiencing symptoms of withdrawal
• you use opioids when you are not in pain, for the high rather than pain management
• you frequently think about and look forward to the next time you will take opiates
• obtaining opiates is more important to you than paying bills, doing your hobbies, or even going to work
• you use opioids to cope with negative emotions like stress and anxiety
• you’ve lost interest in things that used to matter to you in favor of opiates

If you struggle with an opiate addiction and have decided to seek help, then you are on the right track. Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward a solution. However, the rehab facility you decide to seek help at can make a huge difference in how your recovery goes. Different treatment centers follow different programs, provide different types of therapy, and offer different levels of care. It’s important to find the right fit for you. Any facility you consider should have:

Evidence-based methods

In order to be successful, addiction treatment should always be based on scientifically proven methods that address both physical and mental aspects of substance abuse. Any opiate rehab center that is worth your time will rely on such methods. These may include the use of FDA-approved prescription medication, therapy sessions with mental health professionals who specialize in one of the many effective approaches to addiction therapy, treatment for co-occurring disorders, and more. At Harmony Ridge, we use tried and true methods as well as promising new forms of therapy for the most effective treatment, always following the latest recommendations on addiction from the medical and scientific community.

A personal approach

Opiate rehab is a personal journey that looks different for everyone. Whether you use medication or not, what type of therapy you respond to, who you want to involve into your recovery, whether you want to commit to a residential program or stick to outpatient meetings – this will all vary from person to person. A good treatment center will offer a variety of options, then tailor the treatment to you. That is what we do at Harmony Ridge – we develop a treatment plan that suits your needs. You have the best chance of success when you are not following cookie-cutter rehab but rather doing what works for you.

Compassionate staff

One of the reasons why people with opioid use disorder find it difficult to seek help is the fear of being judged. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding addiction; intravenous drug users, many of whom are addicted to heroin, are among those most commonly targeted. You should not have to worry about being exposed to such judgement when you visit an opiate rehab center. At Harmony Ridge, we make sure that you are always treated with respect and dignity. Our staff have personal experiences with addiction and understand how difficult the struggle may be for you. They are here to help you, not judge you.

Harmony Ridge Recovery Center is one of the best addiction treatment centers in West Virginia. We provide thorough and holistic yet individualized addiction treatment in a comfortable facility and a caring environment. You can choose between different levels of care, from an outpatient program to a residential stay. Treatment plans for all levels of care include detox, medical treatment when needed, and therapy. Our staff are trained to provide different types of mental health services and will choose the best approach for you and your situation. In your off-time, you will get to enjoy modern amenities available at our facility as well as access to over 50 acres of beautiful nature that surrounds our center.

Our opiate rehab would not be possible without our professional yet compassionate staff. Everyone at the center has one goal – to help you get better. We understand that you are struggling and won’t judge you for it. Instead, we are here to meet you wherever you are in your journey and support you on your way forward. If you choose Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, you’re choosing evidence-based programs provided by caring professionals dedicated to your success.

Opiate addiction doesn’t look the same for everyone. Consequently, opiate rehab doesn’t look the same for everyone either. Some people do best in residential programs that keep them away from the temptations of their everyday life. Others thrive with intensive outpatient programs that don’t take them away from their at-home support systems. Our opiate rehab center can accommodate both of these needs by providing a variety of programs for a variety of support needs.

Detoxing from opiates

Detox is never pleasant, no matter what substance you are addicted to. But detoxing from opioids can be actually dangerous. Unmonitored, opioid detox can lead to dehydration and increased blood sodium levels, which can affect your blood pressure and heart rate. Ultimately, the stress detox puts on your heart can cause an arrhythmia or even a heart attack. It is, therefore, much safer to detox at our facility under the watchful eye of medical professionals. When necessary, we also provide medically assisted treatment to ease the withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Ultimately, we will do what it takes to make your first step toward sobriety safer and more comfortable.

Opiate rehab programs

Rehab doesn’t end when your body is free of opioids – in fact, that is only the start of a long and hard journey toward sobriety. Harmony Ridge will guide you on that journey with therapy, medication, family counseling, case management, and more. How much support you need will depend on your unique circumstances. Our opiate rehab center offers you three alternatives:

1. Our residential treatment program in West Virginia is well-suited to severe cases of opioid addiction. While you stay at our facility, you will not have access to substances, making it more difficult for you to relapse. Constant medical supervision and easy access to mental health services make this intensive program perfect for someone who needs a lot of support on their journey to sobriety.
2. In our partial hospitalization program (PHP) you will still receive up to 30 hours of support weekly (including therapy, medical services, and medication management). However, you will reside in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by family and friends who support you. This program is, therefore, a well-balanced mix of the benefits of inpatient and outpatient programs, which makes it a good in-between step as you transition out of residential treatment and into everyday life.
3. Choose our intensive outpatient program (IOP) when you are confident in your ability to stay sober without constant supervision but still want more help than a traditional outpatient program offers. With 9 hours of services per week, IOP gives you plenty of support without disrupting your day-to-day life too much. This is the perfect option for milder cases of addiction or the last stage of rehab.

Sober living

Many people find that staying at our facility is conducive to their sobriety even if they are not in a residential program. If you believe you could benefit from a controlled environment without access to substances, you should consider our sober living WV program. You will get to stay at our facility with full access to the amenities (including the wonderful nature that surrounds the Harmony Ridge complex) and a support system of people who have been through the same rehab programs as you. If you want to make new sober friends, enjoy social activities, and stay far away from the triggers in your environment all at once, then sober living is the perfect middle ground between leaving rehab and going back to your everyday life.

Opiate addiction aftercare

For people who have a history of opioid abuse, everyday life is full of triggers. Pain and stress are chief among them; yet, they are also something you cannot avoid in life. So it’s important to prepare well for your life after opiate rehab West Virginia. Will you continue therapy? Do you want to join a 12-step program and find a sponsor? Are you planning on cutting ties with friends who still use illegal opioids? These are just some of the things that you will go over with your case manager at Harmony Ridge as you develop an addiction aftercare plan. The goal of aftercare plans is to prepare you for the day-to-day struggles of staying sober by planning solutions to common issues in advance. That way, when you inevitably have a bad day, you’ll know what to do.

Opiate addiction is an issue of both mental and physical health. Consequently, it is necessary to address both the mental and physical aspects of it in treatment. That is why therapy is a key component of rehab at Harmony Ridge. Regular sessions with licensed therapists will help you understand your condition, address underlying traumas, and unlearn unhealthy coping mechanisms that lead to addiction.

There are many approaches to therapy that can benefit people with opioid abuse disorder. At Harmony Ridge, you’ll have the opportunity to try them all out until you find what works for you. Our mental health experts are equipped to provide:

• individual therapy where you get one-on-one time with a therapist
• group therapy for addiction where you can learn from your peers under the leadership of a counselor
• family counseling to help you mend the relationships with your loved ones
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps you change maladaptive thinking patterns so you can train your brain out of unhealthy coping mechanisms like drug use
• dialectical behavior therapy in which you will talk through your issues in order to better understand where your feelings are coming from and how to best deal with them
• rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) which helps you identify irrational negative thoughts and replace them with constructive and positive thinking
• art therapy which helps you express yourself through a creative outlet like music, painting, or writing
• motivational interviewing which helps inspire and motivate you to keep working on your recovery
• holistic therapy which combines different approaches to mental and physical addiction recovery in order to address all aspects of opioid abuse

Many people who struggle with addiction also suffer from another mental disorder. You may have started using opioids to self-medicate. Or you may have developed a disorder through the influence of opioids. Whatever the case, you can receive professional help for other mental illnesses at our opiate rehab center. Our experts offer dual diagnosis treatment for some of the most common co-occurring disorders, including:

• therapy for anxiety and addiction,
• depression and addiction treatment,
• treatment for personality disorders,
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy,
• treatment for addiction as a trauma response, and more.

Addiction poses different challenges for different people. If you started misusing painkillers in your 40s, you’ll have different problems from someone who got addicted to heroin as a student. To make sure everyone in need receives the right kind of treatment, Harmony Ridge tailors treatment plans to different demographics. So whether you are seeking help for yourself or rehab for a loved one, you can find it at our rehab center. We have experience with:

• addiction treatment for professionals in West Virginia,
• rehab for pregnant women,
• addiction rehab for young adults,
• rehab for seniors,
• and addiction treatment for veterans.

No matter your age or profession, you can get help at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center. We will help you organize admission into rehab for yourself, your partner, your family member, or your friend. Our individualized approach to treatment ensures everyone who walks through our door receives personal treatment suited to their needs.

Everyone who needs help with an opioid addiction deserves to receive the best possible treatment, regardless of income. Yet, many treatment centers are prohibitively expensive, making it more difficult for those in crisis to access the support they need. But at Harmony Ridge, you always have options. While you can, of course, pay for your treatment out of pocket, we also accept all major insurance plans as well as Medicaid and Medicare. As one of the only addiction rehabs in West Virginia that accept public insurance programs, we are a good option for those in need struggling with an opiate abuse problem. Give us a call if you’re not sure about what you can afford – our admissions team will be happy to help you figure out your insurance coverage.

There is no better time than now to start working toward recovery. The sooner you get yourself into opiate rehab West Virginia, the better your chances at living a long, happy, and sober life after treatment. So don’t waste any more of your time on substances – contact us and get the help you need to leave addiction behind. Harmony Ridge Recovery Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone in crisis looking to start treatment. Don’t hesitate to reach out – we are here to help!

1. What is the difference between opioids and opiates?

The terms opioid and opiate are often used interchangeably. However, when adhering to definitions strictly, there is a difference between the two: opioids are all substances that interact with opioid receptors in the brain regardless of origin (natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic) whereas opiates are natural opioids only.

2. What are the dangers of long term opiate and opioid use?

Regular use of opioids will cause you to develop a tolerance to their effects, meaning you have to take an increasingly higher dose to achieve the same relief. This can easily turn into dependency or even addiction and ultimately lead to an overdose. But even if this does not happen, long-term use of opioids can have a negative effect on the body – they slow down the digestive system (which can lead to nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, and general discomfort) and damage your liver and kidneys. Finally, taking too high of a dose can lead to breathing issues (such as slow and shallow breaths) which limits the flow of oxygen to the brain and in the worst case scenario can cause brain damage. Even if you do not become addicted, opioids often have side effects that you should be mindful of.

3. What are the symptoms of opiate overdose?

A person who overdoses on opiates will typically experience confusion and brain fog, constricted pupils, nausea and vomiting, shallow breathing, cool and clammy skin, sleepiness, and unconsciousness. An opioid overdose can be successfully treated with Naloxone so if you suspect that you or someone you know has overdosed, contact 911 immediately.

4. What are the symptoms of opiate withdrawal?

In the early stages of opioid and opiate withdrawal you will experience restlessness and anxiety, runny nose, teary eyes, the inability to sleep, and general aches and pains. In later stages of opioid and opiate withdrawal you will also experience nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, blurry vision, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate.

5. How long does it take to detox from opiates?

Detox from opioids and opiates will depend on the opioid you’re addicted to. Symptoms of withdrawal typically start within 8-36 hours from the last dose, depending on whether the opioid is a short-acting or long-acting one. Similarly, detox will be shorter for short-acting opioids and longer for long-acting opioids – between one and two weeks on average.

6. How common is relapse in opiate abusers?

All opioids have a high relapse rate of 72-88% within three years of detox. Many factors can play a role in this, including other physical and mental conditions, poverty, stress, overconfidence in own ability to resist addiction, and more.

7. What are the best ways to treat opiate addiction?

The best course of treatment for opioid and opiate addiction will depend on which drug you are using and why you are using it. If you are dependent on opioids for pain management, treating the underlying cause – the pain – may be necessary. Medications can also be used to treat withdrawal symptoms and control cravings. Finally, therapy can help you achieve and maintain sobriety as well as addressing any mental health issues that may drive you to the use of substances.