Opioid use disorder (OUD) is the medical term for opioid abuse and addiction. OUD is a chronic disease that creates considerable difficulties in all areas of life and impacts a person’s physical, psychological, economic, and social well-being. Opioids affect the nervous system by blocking pain, often creating intense feelings of euphoria, contributing to their potential to become highly addictive, mainly when abused or used recreationally.
At MD M.A.T.T. in Washington, D.C., we provide addiction treatment services, focusing on Suboxone treatment, to help patients successfully overcome OUD. Our dedicated staff is passionate about helping those struggling with OUD in our community and beyond. Reach out to us online or call 202.933.5583 to discover how we can help you or your loved one break the cycle of chronic relapse and overcome addiction with our opioid addiction treatment in Washington, D.C., today.
Signs You May Need an Opioid Addiction Treatment Program
OUD directly impacts over two million Americans annually and has consequences for affected individuals’ families, friends, and communities. The very high risk of overdose, which can occur with just one dose, is the most significant danger of opioid use. OUD is treatable with professional intervention, but it takes time. Treatment programs that offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) are the gold standard for OUD.
For many, opioid use disorder begins with prescription painkiller use that spirals out of control before a person recognizes it. The opioid epidemic began because people falsely believed prescription opioids were safe and non-addictive. After all, that was how the pharmaceutical industry promoted them. The toll the epidemic has taken on our society is unprecedented.
Opioid addiction has consequences for all areas of life and poses a significant risk of overdose and death. Following are common signs that you or a loved one may need an opioid addiction treatment program:
- Not taking prescription opioids as prescribed
- Having withdrawal symptoms when not using opioids
- Drug-seeking behavior, including “doctor shopping”
- Inability to control opioid use
- Stealing prescription opioids from others
- Illegally buying prescription or illicit opioids
- Scabs, sores, or puncture wounds common with IV drug use
- Significant changes in physical appearance
- Failing to tend to daily responsibilities at work and home
People with opioid addiction also demonstrate signs and symptoms such as significant changes in mood and behavior, lying, stealing, impaired judgment, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and withdrawal from friends and family. They often have co-occurring mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders.
Benefits of an Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
Breaking the cycle of addiction to opioids is exceptionally challenging. Many give up hope of ever achieving long-term recovery because they become stuck in a cycle of chronic relapse. Few understand that the risk of overdose increases with each relapse. MAT, considered the gold standard, is the safest, most effective way to treat opioid addiction.
For many, the fear of withdrawal symptoms, which can be painful, is one of the main barriers to seeking treatment. At MD M.A.T.T in Washington, D.C., our treatment professionals closely monitor patients to make detoxification as comfortable as possible. We provide treatment plans customized to meet each patient’s individual needs. Among the benefits of an opioid addiction treatment center are the following:
- Uncovering the root causes of opioid addiction
- Learning to identify triggers
- Breaking the cycle of addiction
- Developing healthy lifestyle habits and coping mechanisms
- Learning to establish healthy boundaries
- Fostering relapse prevention skills
- Peer and community support
- Access to individual and group therapies
While overcoming opioid addiction can be challenging, recovery is possible with help from a dedicated team of addiction and mental health specialists utilizing a range of evidence-based treatments.
Reach Out to MD M.A.T.T.’s Opioid Rehab Center in Washington, D.C.
At MD M.A.T.T. Washington, D.C., we are committed to helping patients overcome opioid addiction. We offer patient-focused MAT with Suboxone and other buprenorphine medications.
Our dedicated team of doctors, counselors, and psychiatrists provides patients access to comprehensive opioid addiction treatment. Contrary to what many believe, opioid addiction is not a choice and cannot be overcome with sheer willpower. Our team takes time to understand each patient’s unique needs and helps them access the tools and resources necessary to overcome opioid addiction.
Opioid addiction does not have to control your life. Reach out to our opioid rehab center in Washington, D.C., to learn how we can help you or a loved one successfully overcome opioid addiction. Contact us at 202.933.5583.
