Opioid addiction is a serious and widespread issue in the United States and the rest of the world. Estimates are that over 16 million people worldwide (2.1 million in the United States) have an opioid use disorder.

Overcoming opioid addiction can be extremely challenging, but with the help of a residential treatment center, anyone can achieve recovery. If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to prescription or illicit opioids, please contact our team at Arise Treatment Center to learn how our residential rehab program in Southern California can help you get your life back on track.

What is Residential Opioid Addiction Treatment?

Residential treatment is the same thing as inpatient rehab. These programs require clients to live at a supervised treatment facility for the duration of their stay. Clients enjoy private and semi-private rooms with shared living spaces where they can experience recovery alongside other recovering addicts. During the day, they attend group and individual therapy sessions as well as educational workshops and sober activities.

Because the rates of relapse are so high in people struggling with opioid addiction, inpatient rehab is often recommended. This level of care is also ideal for those with severe addictions, co-occurring disorders, or lack of stable and supportive housing.

What to Expect

Committing to a residential opioid addiction treatment program in California can be scary, especially if you haven’t been to rehab before and don’t know what to expect. The goal of residential treatment is to provide you with a safe, supportive, and structured environment away from triggers and stressors associated with daily life so you can focus on what matters most: your sobriety.

Inpatient Opioid Detox

Most residential treatment centers for opioid addiction offer medically-assisted detox. Detox is an important first step toward recovery because the first obstacle you will face after quitting opioids is withdrawal. Although opioid withdrawal is usually not life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and painful, and it often results in relapse without medical treatment.

During opioid detox, doctors can prescribe medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. Nutritious meals and holistic therapy are also available to enhance your physical and mental well-being.

Opioid detox usually lasts 3-5 days, then clients transition to the clinical portion of their care.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

There are many approaches used during opioid addiction treatment, but one of the most popular and effective is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is a comprehensive approach combining prescription medications with behavioral therapy, counseling, and peer support.

Medications used to treat opioid addiction include:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, and Sublocade) – Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it can activate the same receptors in the brain that opioids do but with less intensity, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same euphoric effects as opioids. It’s typically administered as a sublingual tablet (Subutex) or a film (Suboxone) that dissolves under the tongue, but it is also sold as an extended-release injection known as Sublocade.
• Methadone – Methadone is a full opioid agonist, which means it activates the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, but with a slower onset and longer duration of action. Methadone is used to prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings in people with opioid addiction, and it’s typically administered as a liquid that’s taken orally.
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol) – Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of opioids in the brain. It’s available as a pill or a once-monthly injection under the brand name Vivitrol. Unlike buprenorphine and methadone, naltrexone does not produce any opioid-like effects, making it an attractive option for some people in recovery who want to avoid any potential for abuse or dependence. Naltrexone is used to prevent relapse in people who have already gone through detoxification from opioids.

When combined with therapy and counseling, these medications can improve treatment retention and success rates.

Behavioral Therapy and Counseling

Behavioral therapy and counseling are important components of opioid addiction treatment at residential treatment centers, and the majority of time spent in rehab is spent participating in various therapy sessions. The goal of opioid addiction therapy is to help individuals understand the underlying reasons for their addiction and develop coping strategies to manage cravings and triggers for opioid use in the future.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that is often used to treat opioid addiction. CBT focuses on identifying negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to addiction and replacing them with positive, healthy behaviors.

Another type of therapy that may be used in residential treatment centers is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes the development of mindfulness and emotion regulation skills. DBT can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle with intense emotions and impulsive behaviors.

Other types of behavioral therapy that may be used at a residential opioid rehab center include:

• Family behavior therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Contingency management

In addition to therapy, counseling can also be an important component of opioid addiction treatment in residential treatment centers in California. Counseling sessions can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to discuss their experiences with addiction and work through any emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to their addiction, such as trauma, family dynamics, mental health, grief and loss, and more.

24-Hour Support and Structure

Residential treatment for opioid addiction offers several significant benefits, with the most notable being round-the-clock support, supervision, and structured activities. This level of support can be instrumental in helping clients to process challenging emotions in healthy ways and develop positive coping strategies. The constant supervision also helps to reinforce the rehab facility’s rules, reducing the risk of relapse. Moreover, the structured environment of residential treatment keeps clients engaged in positive activities, which can be an effective deterrent to opioid use and help prevent relapse.

How Long Does Residential Opioid Addiction Treatment Last?

Residential treatment can last anywhere between 30-90 days. Some opioid rehab centers offer long-term programs that last 90 days or more, however, most people spend less than a month at the inpatient level of care before transitioning to a more flexible program, such as outpatient rehab.

How long you stay in inpatient rehab largely depends on your treatment needs. The more severe your addiction is and the more time it takes you to make progress, the longer you can expect to stay. Inpatient rehab centers can’t force you to stay, and you are able to leave whenever you want, but it is best to wait until the clinical staff determines you are ready for discharge. Leaving rehab too early may result in a relapse.

Life After Inpatient Rehab

Residential treatment is a great way to overcome opioid addiction and start your recovery, but it is only the beginning. Leaving the structure and support of an inpatient rehab can be difficult, so it’s important to participate in an outpatient program or attend support group meetings to remain engaged in your recovery.

Options for aftercare include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Outpatient Program (OP)
• Sober living
• 12-Step meetings
• Recovery coaching

Find Residential Treatment for Opioid Addiction in California Today

At Arise Treatment Center, each of our clients receives individually-tailored care in our inpatient opioid rehab program. With a custom-tailored treatment plan based on your needs, you can identify the forces behind your opioid use and learn how to maintain sobriety in the long run. If you or a loved one are ready to begin your recovery journey, please contact us today.