November 2006 GCR Newsletter - Opium Treatment

Whether addicted to heroin, pain pills or any other narcotic, all are opium derivatives, and all share common methods of opium based treatments.

One of the most pressing challenges facing anyone enduring an opiate addiction is the strong physical dependence that invariably ensues with regular use, and the need to endure very uncomfortable and difficult detox. Opium treatment sometimes seeks to bypass the need for intensive detox through programs of opiate substitution and slow tapering of use, but these long term programs are widely criticized both for their efficacy, and for the long duration (years) of opium treatment that must ensue.

Addictions professionals more frequently recommend opium treatment that involves a short and intense period of detox, but after which the physical dependency to opium is over, and the recovering addict can better participate in therapies of relapse avoidance, and hopefully within a relatively short period learn the life strategies needed to stay opium free for life.

Opium withdrawal pains start only hours after the last dosage has worn off, and gain in intensity for a couple of days before withdrawal symptoms gradually begin to subside. Some of the characteristic symptoms of an opium detoxification are nausea, extreme pain, irritability, depression, insomnia, vomiting and diarrhea, amongst others. During professional opium treatment, detox pains can be managed through continual medical observation and care, and through the use of non narcotic pain relievers, anxiolitics and anti depressant medications.

Opium treatment truly begins with the end of opium detox, and once free form physical dependency and with the clarity of opium sobriety, recovering addicts are ready to really participate in and benefit from opium treatments and therapies. Individual counseling, peer support groups, 12 steps programs and cognitive behavioral education therapies are all offered within a comprehensive opium treatment program, and aim to give the recovering addicts the education, motivation and life skills they'll need to stay opium free for good.

Long term opium treatment aftercare therapies and continuing usage of relapse minimizing medications such as naltrexone or anti depressants increases the probability of success and sobriety.