How Long Does it Take to Recover From Fentanyl Addiction and Finish Rehab?

Fentanyl Drug Rehab

How Common is Fentanyl Addiction and Abuse?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever prescribed for managing moderate to severe pain in patients with chronic conditions. Similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent, fentanyl is considered to be extremely strong and can cause an overdose with just a few milligrams, making it the drug of choice for many people seeking opiates. In the past few years, the use of fentanyl has become widespread in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, many do not realize that this drug is extremely dangerous when abused. If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction to fentanyl, you may benefit from Fentanyl drug rehab. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, 59% of opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl in 2017, as compared to 14% in 2010. 

Similar to morphine and other opioids, fentanyl works by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors, which control pain and emotions. When someone abuses these kinds of drugs, the brain adapts and diminishes their sensitivity to make it hard to feel pleasure from anything but the drug itself. Side effects from fentanyl addiction can include:

  • Extreme happiness or euphoria
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Constipation
  • Sedation
  • Trouble breathing
  • Unconsciousness

Because fentanyl is so potent, it’s easier to become addicted to it. You or a loved one may struggle with an addiction to fentanyl if you experience these side effects:

  • Social withdrawal or social isolation
  • Visible mood swings
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Willingness to engage in risky behaviors
  • Lack of personal hygiene 

The good news is drug rehab can really help individuals who may struggle with an addiction to fentanyl and other drugs or alcohol.

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Do You Have to Go To Drug Detox Before Rehab?

Detox Before Rehab

If you’re unfamiliar with how drug and alcohol addictions are treated, you might be a little puzzled by how the whole process works. You’ve probably heard of detox, but what does that mean exactly? Can you go to rehab, or do you have to detox before rehab in Boca? What happens in rehab, and do you (or your loved one) really need to go?

Although each detox facility and rehab may be different in terms of amenities and the different disorders that they treat, the process of helping someone get and stay clean and sober is pretty much the same. Some with substance use disorders need to go through withdrawal after their last drink or drug under medical supervision, but not everyone does. 

Rehab has several different levels of care, some highly structured and others available after school, at night, and on the weekends. While some people with drug or alcohol addictions need to go through each level of care, starting with the most structured living at a residential treatment facility, others can start at a lower level.

In general, the longer the period of time and the more heavily you’ve been using your substance of choice, the more care you’ll need to ensure you don’t relapse and keep moving forward on your recovery journey. 

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Choosing the Right Drug and Alcohol Rehab

drug rehab

What to Look for in a Quality Drug Rehab

Treatment facilities are designed to help you understand the source of your substance use disorder and to learn (or relearn) how to live a happy, joyful life without the crutch of drugs and alcohol. Usually, addiction is a symptom of some other underlying issue, not the disease itself. Drug rehab provides a safe place free of triggers for you to heal and recover.

When you arrive at the recovery center, you’ll normally meet with a staff member for your intake. They’ll assess your physical condition, by taking vital signs, drawing some blood, or taking a urine sample. They’ll also want to know what drugs you’ve been taking, how long you’ve been taking them, and how much you usually do at a given time. While you may previously have tried to hide your usage from friends and family, you’re better off telling the truth at rehab.

They might also have you undergo a psychiatric assessment. It’s very common for people with addiction issues to suffer from mental health disorders, with ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia being pretty common. Even if you’ve never been diagnosed with one of these before, co-occurring disorders can also be treated at drug rehab.

Once you’ve been assessed, the staff will make a recommendation for your treatment going forward. You may need detox so that you’ll be monitored and kept comfortable during the withdrawal process. After detox, you might need inpatient treatment, which is highly structured. You live at the facility for the duration of the program. 

After inpatient, you might be offered outpatient treatment as part of your transition to the “real” world. Some people are able to go directly to outpatient rehab, but others need a longer time in treatment to make sure that they are able to stay clean and sober after they leave.

Whether you attend inpatient or outpatient or both, you’ll be in therapy, typically in both one on one sessions and in group settings. Along the way, you’ll plan your aftercare as well so your recovery journey continues after treatment.

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Rehab for Drug Addiction: How to Get Ready for Treatment

Do 12-step Programs Actually Work

What to Expect from Drug Addiction Rehab

It can feel overwhelming if you consider going to rehab for drug addiction. You likely have a lot of questions in mind, especially if you have never been to rehab before. Although each rehab center will have its own way of doing things, this is generally what you can expect when you go to rehab for drug addiction:

Checking in

When you first come to a rehab center, you will usually have an in-depth intake interview with very personal questions about your drug use, drinking, lifestyle, stress, mental health, and more. Doctors and mental health professionals may also do evaluations to help determine what types of therapies and medical care may be needed during your time in rehab.

Detox

One of the reasons many people avoid rehab altogether is that they fear detoxing. Withdrawal symptoms can be anxiety-inducing, painful, and even dangerous to your health. A program that includes a medical detox will ensure you avoid suffering from these issues and discomfort like nausea, flu-like symptoms, aches and pains, insomnia, and more, through a combination of medical care, prescription medications, and holistic treatments. Your body will remove the toxins within a week or two, and you will be ready for rehab.

Structure

Inpatient (residential) treatment provides you with fully planned-out days, You will be living inside a safe, sober center that is organized so you know what to expect from the moment you wake up until bedtime.

Schedule

You will wake up early in the morning, get ready, and enjoy a healthy breakfast. Those with prescriptions will take their medications. Some rehab centers will also start you out with exercise, yoga, or meditation practices so you start your day on a good note. The program will then begin.

You will likely have group therapy, daily meetings, and therapy throughout the day, with short breaks between sessions, and a healthy lunch break around noon. The afternoon is more of the same, with treatments that may include behavioral therapy, one-on-one therapy, educational programs, and more groups. Other common treatments include family therapy

The evenings are usually unstructured free time when you can enjoy the amenities and comforts of your rehab program, rest your body and mind, or simply read a book or write in your journal.  Group activities, sports, and games may be offered as well. Most centers have a designated “lights out” time to encourage a healthier sleep pattern.

During outpatient rehab, your schedule will vary based on the type of program you are in but will be consistent, with treatments, groups, and therapy appointments occurring on a regular schedule.

Group therapy

Do not fear group therapy. It is a place that is free of judgment, and open, willing, and respectful participation in the discussions will help you achieve a better understanding of yourself and your addiction. You will be surrounded by others who have had similar experiences, and through sharing stories and learning, you can achieve emotional healing as you develop a sober community.

Family therapy is a specific type of group therapy that involves two or more family members. Healing damaged relationships with your loved ones can help immensely, as you can deal with issues like pain, regret, codependency, enabling behaviors, anger, resentment, and more. Resolving family issues and improving communication and knowledge about addiction can increase your support system and get loved ones involved in the treatment process.

Individual therapy

For some people, the idea of “going to therapy” for addiction may sound strange, but it is actually one of the most important pieces of treatment. There are different types of therapy, each with its own specialty. Through therapy you can learn skills like anger management, stress reduction, and relapse prevention techniques, you can work through old emotional pain and trauma, and you can improve your quality of life. Each person’s sessions will be tailored to their needs and preferences, so you get the most out of your time with your therapist.

Other treatments

There are a wide variety of supplemental treatments available that add to traditional evidence-based therapies. These may include art or music therapy, exercise and nutrition programs, experiential therapy, biofeedback, holistic programs, and more. These treatments can help you gain a better sense of overall wellness during treatment, gain healthy habits, and help you regain your sense of self.  

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Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms: A Timeline

xanax withdrawal symptoms

What is Xanax?

Struggling with addiction is something that is challenging for any person at any age. Anxiety can make you feel as though you have absolutely no control over what is going on in your head or with your body. Some people, are able to find ways in their life that can help them to work through or overcome their anxiety. However, for many other people, their anxiety is so severe that they need medication to help them manage it. While there are several benefits of incorporating a medication such as Xanax into your daily routine to help you to manage your anxiety, it’s important to remember that there are also several drawbacks of it as well including the fact that there is a possibility that you could develop an addiction to this substance. 

If you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from an addiction to Xanax, the best thing that you can do is to reach out for help. At TruPath, our team of addiction experts is here to help you to address your Xanax addiction on a holistic level. Taking this personalized treatment approach will help you to not only work through your addiction but help you to remain sober going forward. 

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What Happens If You Get Caught With Fentanyl?

possession of fentanyl

What Happens If You Get Caught With Fentanyl? 

Did you know that being in possession of fentanyl is against the law? Unfortunately, there are numerous people throughout the country who are arrested every day as a result of fentanyl possession. But what actually happens when you get caught with fentanyl? This is greatly dependent on the situation. In some cases, depending on the amount that you have in your possession, there is a strong possibility that you may be incarcerated. This fear, alone, is something that may scare a person into changing their life and getting the help and the care that they or need to overcome their fentanyl addiction and get the help and the care that they need.

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Medical Detox versus Inpatient Rehab

Detox Centers vs Rehab

Both detox centers and rehabs promote addiction recovery, but they do so in different ways. One way to think about medical detox is that it addresses the past. It enables the body to safely remove the chemical toxins associated with past drug or alcohol abuse. Doing so allows them to overcome their physical dependence on … Read more

Signs and Symptoms of Addictive Behaviors

Signs and Symptoms of Addictive Behaviors

Struggling with addiction is one of the hardest things a person can deal with in life and thankfully there are a lot of alcohol and drug rehab resources available.  Alcohol addiction and drug addiction can also greatly impact the friends and loved ones of substance abusers and drug addicts, making the entire situation very painful … Read more

What are Benzos? A Look at Benzodiazepine Addiction, Withdrawal and Recovery

What Kind of a Drug is a Benzo? Struggling with anxiety is something that no person ever asks for or wants. In some cases, it’s impossible for a person to be able to live a healthy and successful life without prescription medication. Benzos are an example of a sedative which can help a person to … Read more

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Opioids?

how long does it take to detox from opioids

What are the Signs of Opioid Addiction? Opioid addiction does not happen overnight. It can take weeks or months to develop and can happen to anyone, even when used prescription opioid medications as directed. At first, a person will develop tolerance and dependence to opioids, which may lead to abusing opioids and eventually developing into … Read more