Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a serious problem at both the personal and public health levels. At My Next Steps of Morganton, Jesslynne Kelly Lillard DNP, FNP-BC, and the rest of the team offer recovery services to residents of Morganton, North Carolina. Booking a visit takes just moments online or over the phone, so make today the day you take one step closer to a life free from opioid addiction.
What is opioid addiction?
Opioids are a class of drugs that are all closely related on a chemical level. These drugs include heroin and a wide range of prescription pain medications.
Because opioids are highly addictive, people can find themselves dependent on these drugs in a variety of ways. For some, heroin abuse follows a lengthy history of using street drugs. In many cases, however, opioid addiction begins with a prescription medication intended to ease pain.
No matter how an addiction develops, treatment can help you move beyond opioid addiction and toward a more stable and healthy life.
​
How can tapering help treat an opioid addiction?
Tapering is an approach that reduces your reliance on opioids by slowly reducing your dosage. This is a good treatment option for individuals who are addicted to prescription medication, and is safer than trying to simply quit taking opioids all at once.
Your practitioner guides the tapering process and monitors your condition carefully. As you gradually reduce your dosage you’ll likely experience symptoms of withdrawal, including irritability, stomach cramping, and sleep disruptions.
These symptoms are less severe than the experience of stopping opioid use “cold turkey.” You can ease this process by improving your nutrition and exercise habits and taking other steps.
There are also numerous medications that help with opioid addiction. Some eliminate the effects of opioids, thereby reducing your urge to seek out these drugs. Others help ease withdrawal and reduce cravings. The team at My Next Steps of Morganton have extensive experience in medication assisted treatment (MAT) and are here to guide you throughout the process.
​
What is the mental health component of opioid addiction recovery?
Because many people with substance use disorder also experience mental health challenges, incorporating mental health treatment into the recovery process supports you as a whole person. This process is highly personalized, and designed to meet your unique needs.
Medically supervised withdrawal relies on lab testing and pharmacogenetic testing to support your body, and tapering is often part of the process. An integrated approach often includes opioid-based outpatient treatment through individual or group counseling.
Helping you develop solid coping skills is a central focus, and education on prevention helps reduce the risk of relapse. Family support helps loved ones learn how to assist you throughout your journey while also taking care of their own needs.
Schedule a consultation online or by phone today to learn more about the services available at My Next Steps of Morganton.