Opioid treatment facilities offer different types of programs. It is ideal to visit a few and speak with program directors to determine what the best options for your loved one are. By visiting the facilities, you can write notes and take back personal notes to your loved one. It may help them feel more comfortable to know what to expect before entering treatment.

Research

Research the different opioid addiction treatment facilities close to home and in other states. It may not always be the best idea for your loved one to be close to home. If they are in an area where they don’t know anyone, it may be better for them. Being close to home with access to those that have opioids may lead them to continuing their addiction while in treatment.

Some addicts will travel across the country to be as far away from home as possible for treatment. Choose a specific area, such as drug rehab Columbus Ohio, to see the options of a specific area. Research the neighborhood surrounding the treatment facility to determine the safety of the location.

Your Loved One’s Needs

When determining How to choose the right addiction treatment program, your loved one’s needs are also important. Some may need help with withdrawal. Some may need crisis or trauma counseling. Some may need a more relaxed program. Their individual needs are very important.

Programs that are faith-based may not be the best option for those that are not religious. It may make them feel forced into changing their lifestyle or personal beliefs. A program that is based on alternative medicine may not be the best option because it may seem like substituting one drug for a non-narcotic option. All of these things need to be considered. If a program is designed more toward your loved one’s current lifestyle, they may have a better chance at success.

Withdrawal Process Support

The withdrawal process can be painful. As opioids leave the body muscles can tighten. Abdominal cramping with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also arise. Symptoms of a common cold, like a runny nose, may also be present.
Additional symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
• Lack of energy
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Yawning
• Goose bumps
• Hot and cold sweats
• Agitation
• Irritability
It is ideal to choose an opioid treatment program that includes withdrawal assistance and support. This is a very difficult process that an opioid addict should not go through alone. The withdrawal symptoms alone could lead to relapse.

The severity of withdrawal will vary for each person. Some going through withdrawal may not experience every symptom. Safe medication may be needed to help ease severe withdrawal symptoms.

Availability of Opioids in the Surrounding Community

The fact of the matter is – opioids are everywhere. Ask the treatment facility if they have local statistics for availability of opioids. Some may have that data available. Opioid abuse and addiction rate data may be more readily available.

If the opioid use and abuse rates are high for the area near the treatment facility, inquire about the support for resisting temptation while in treatment. The staff should be trained to detect when someone may be seeking a “fix” from outside the facility.

Aftercare Program

Aftercare is important. Recovery doesn’t stop when an addict graduates from their treatment program. Recovery is a lifelong process. Outpatient aftercare helps your loved one with ongoing tools to resist temptation and readjust to life. These tools are vital. The aftercare program may also help your loved one select an appropriate sponsor.

Some of the things to look for in aftercare are employment assistance, regular meetings, random drug screenings and assistance with finding appropriate support groups. Some treatment graduates may also need help finding a sober living situation. There are half-way houses and sober-living homes in most major areas of the country.

One of the benefits of transitional housing is to provide a safe environment where support and help are available if needed. Another benefit is maintaining structure. In rehab, there is structure. Maintaining schedules and structure helps your loved one keep his or mind off of using a drug. Their minds are able to stay focused on their duties or tasks for the day – even if they only goal that day is to stay sober.

Closing Thoughts

It can be hard to choose the right opioid treatment facility for your loved one. It may be easier to allow them to be part of the decision making process. If they are able to help choose where they go for treatment, it may help them have a more successful completion of the program.