When it comes to opiate detox, it can be hard to know what kinds of programs will help you and your loved ones. Whether someone is recovering from natural opiates like morphine or synthetic opiates like Vicodin, the road to recovery requires compassionate and safe support. Here are some things to consider when looking for opiate addiction treatment in Los Angeles, CA.
If you or someone in your life is attempting to quit opiate use, call La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center today. Our Los Angeles-based drug and alcohol detox programs provide safe and effective detox and healing for the LGBTQ community. Call us at 888.903.9898 to learn more about our opiate rehab center.
What Are Opiates and Opioids?
Opiates are a class of drugs made from opium. The opium poppy has been used to relieve pain and provide euphoric effects for centuries. Natural opiates are often converted into synthetic or semi-synthetic opioids like heroin, OxyContin, and Vicodin. Synthetic opioids and natural opiates work similarly by inhibiting pain and flooding the brain with dopamine. Common opiates include:
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
Codeine and morphine are often used for surgeries and end-of-life care, while heroin is an illicit street drug. Opioids like fentanyl are increasingly popular among opiate users. They are used medicinally and sold illicitly on the street. In the bloodstream, opioids convert to morphine. Their short-lived effects make them highly addictive. A regular heroin user needs to take heroin every 6-12 hours to avoid withdrawal effects and “dope sickness.”
Recognizing and Treating Opiate Addiction
While opiates are often prescribed or used in hospitals, they are frequently abused for self-medicating. For those in the LGBTQ community, this is increasingly common. Lack of safe opiate treatment and comprehensive physical and mental healthcare disproportionately affect the LGBTQ community. Signs of opiate addiction include:
- Mood swings
- Night terrors
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Emotional reactivity
- Paranoia
- Drug-seeking behavior
- “Dope sickness” during withdrawal
If a person suddenly stops taking opiates, they will go into withdrawal. This can cause painful physical, mental, and emotional side effects. Willpower is not enough to prevent someone from using during withdrawal. That’s why opiate treatment is a safe and effective approach to reducing drug cravings, preventing relapse, and helping people recover. If you or someone you love is looking for opiate detox, look for clinics with medically assisted detox, alumni programs, and a range of therapies to approach detox holistically.
A comprehensive opiate treatment program will provide clients with dual diagnosis. This means therapists and doctors will assess, diagnose, and treat co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Most people living with addiction turn to drugs or alcohol as self-soothing for undiagnosed mood disorders or untreated trauma. An opiate detox center can help uncover and treat these conditions, lessening addiction triggers and the desire to reuse.
Inclusive Opiate Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles
Opiates are especially difficult to quit using because they change a person’s brain chemistry. Medically assisted detox and psychotherapy can help. If you or a loved one are looking for opiate detox in Los Angeles, consider La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center today. We pride ourselves on providing the community with comprehensive, cutting-edge addiction recovery treatment. Many of our staff members are in recovery themselves and know just what it takes to recover from opiate use. Our detox programs use medically assisted detox for opiate withdrawal, 24/7 medical monitoring, and a range of therapies for holistic healing.
At La Fuente, we believe the local community is stronger together. That’s why we specialize in inpatient and outpatient detox and recovery for the Los Angeles LGBTQ community.
Begin Opiate Detox at La Fuente Hollywood Today
Call us now to get started with opiate addiction treatment in Los Angeles today at 888.903.9898.