The opioid epidemic in the United States (and around the world) is an ongoing crisis, with increasing amounts of drugs flooding the opioid market, putting many lives at risk. Opioid addiction affects three million United States citizens and roughly 16 million people worldwide. When someone is affected by opioid addiction or symptoms, seeking help is essential. First, however, understanding opioid treatment and safety is crucial. Looking into existing information and care facilities is important for improving one’s quality of life and overall well-being.
At First Steps Recovery, opioid addiction is treated with a time-tested program. Clinical and holistic services are available for clients in residential, outpatient, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), online, and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). Having a full spectrum of care to meet all of clients’ needs is paramount. Located in Clovis, Fresno County, First Steps Recovery offers a wide range of care options that make a real difference in each client’s ability to recover from addiction.
About Opioid Addiction
Many opioid addictions stem from prescribed medication after surgery or other medical procedures. Prescribed opioids, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methadone, are used to reduce pain. Other nonprescription opioids are fentanyl and heroin. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and heroin, are much stronger than prescription opioids.
After experiencing the pain-relieving effects of opioids, many people become addicted to the effects and begin to consistently use them. After developing a dependency on these drugs, some people cannot stop them without professional assistance.
Diagnosis Criteria
A diagnosis of opioid addiction is attained when two or more of the following criteria are met:
- Constantly increasing dosage or increased tolerance to opioids
- Wanting to reduce use of opioids
- Having a strong desire to use opioids
- Spending excessive amounts of time using or obtaining the drug
- Noticing that drug use is interfering with work, home, or social life
- Continuing to use the drug despite life disruptions
- Using opioids in hazardous situations
- Reducing or eliminating responsibilities in order to use opioids
- Continually using despite physical and/or psychological problems
- Having withdrawal symptoms when the dose is decreased
In 2021, 75% of drug overdose deaths involved opioids. About 88% of opioid overdose deaths involved synthetic (and illicitly manufactured) opioids in that same year. It is crucial to find out more about opioid treatment and safety to create a life free of drug addiction. Healing is possible. However, healing is best accomplished when one finds a facility that creates a sense of safety and security.
Finding Opioid Treatment and Safety at First Steps Recovery
Opioid treatment and safety can be found at First Steps Recovery. First Steps Recovery has different programs and pathways for those addicted to prescription opioids, fentanyl, and heroin. For opioids, specifically, First Steps offers a team of specialists and doctors who understand the effects of opioids and the path to recovery. The first step in the opioid addiction recovery process is detoxification.
Opioid Detoxification Treatment and Safety
Detoxification allows the physical body to remove the chemicals that create physical dependency on opioids. However, clients may experience withdrawal symptoms that cause extreme discomfort. Detox is often the most challenging part of recovery. Acute withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Frequent yawning
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
In the early period of recovery, these withdrawal symptoms tend to decrease in intensity. However, there may still be a strong desire to use opioids. These cravings may be strongest during this time and put clients at the greatest risk of relapse.
After a longer period of abstinence, opioid cravings often fade away and clients can think more clearly and remain in the present moment more. During this period, clients can begin to gain insights, acquire new skills, and apply those insights and skills in their lives.
Opioid Treatment and Safety Options at First Steps Recovery
A number of programs are available for clients with opioid addictions. Some clients require greater support and supervision, while others may prefer intensive treatment. At First Steps Recovery, residential, outpatient, and PHP programs are offered. In these programs, clients are exposed to different clinical treatments, clinical therapies, and holistic therapies in order to promote whole-person healing.
The evidence-based, clinical therapies include the following:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Brainspotting
- Neurofeedback
- Family counseling
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment (EMDR)
Holistic Therapies and Integrative Plans
Holistic or experiential therapies include art and music therapies, equine therapy, wilderness therapy, yoga and mindfulness therapies, recreation therapy, and physical therapy.
First Steps Recovery uses a combination of treatments and therapies so that clients have a variety of services to choose from. Rather than create a standard treatment plan and restrict clients to one type of service, First Steps Recovery allows clients to branch out and find therapies that work best for them. Having a full range of treatments helps clients understand themselves and their addictions better. Clients can test out different ways of healing and find services that offer benefits that last way beyond their time in treatment.
For clients coping with opioid addiction, we at First Steps Recovery are here to help. We offer a broad variety of treatments, ranging from experiential and holistic to standard clinical fare. By offering variety, we give clients the opportunity to fully heal and address the underlying causes of addiction. From there, our team of specialists and doctors helps clients express themselves, practice healthy coping mechanisms, and develop key life skills to promote long-term sobriety. Opioid addiction can be life-threatening, leading to many overdoses and deaths in the United States. Seeking treatment in a safe environment is crucial for healing, and First Steps Recovery welcomes you with open arms. Call us at (844) 489-0836 to learn more.
Dr. Curl is the Medical Director and primary on-site provider for First Steps Recovery. He is a Board Certified Internist and Addiction Medicine Specialist having attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing his residency at Mount Auburn Hospital with Harvard Medical School. Following several years work as an internist and physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Dr. Curl completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Howard University in Washington DC and participated as a RAM Scholar (Research in Addiction Medicine). While part of the fellowship, Dr. Curl pursued research investigating the barriers to expanding and improving medication for opioid use disorder. Following his fellowship, Dr. Curl spearheaded the Opiate Use Disorder outpatient clinic and worked in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the Howard University Hospital. In 2023, Dr. Curl completed his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine.
