Opioid addiction is a crisis for those with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their families. In the United States, the opioid epidemic is a crisis because of the terrible toll it takes on human beings, society, the economy, and so much more. Although heroin and other opiates have been around for hundreds of years, the opioid crisis dates to the late 1990s. Rehab centers, mental health and addiction clinicians and service providers, parents, schools, and legislators are all keenly aware of the critical situation in which so many people and communities find themselves. The opioid crisis is clearly a concern for everyone. For each individual struggling with prescription drug abuse or an addiction to illicit opioids, the best option for beginning recovery is getting professional help. There is an opioid detox center in Rehrersburg, PA, that can help you or your loved one.
Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC) treats opioid addiction with evidence-based therapies provided by a highly trained and experienced staff. Let us help you on your journey toward recovery. If you have any questions about the opioid crisis, how opioids affect mental and physical health, what opioid withdrawal is like, or anything else related to your quest for health and well-being, reach out to us. You can use this online form or call us at 844.442.8673.
The Opioid Crisis
Opiates have been in use for centuries. Originally valued for medical purposes, opium was used to treat pain in wounded soldiers and laboring women, among others. Its usefulness caused it to make its way into ancient texts such as the Odyssey.
Abuse of opium and other poppy derivatives has always existed, but it was during the 1800s that there arose serious concern over its abuse when its addictive qualities began to be understood. The term crisis was not applied to the abuse of opioids until the latter part of the 20th century when pharmaceutical firms were producing synthetic opioids and advertising them as safe. Purdue Pharma openly stated that their drug, Oxycontin, was non-addictive. Sadly, they didn’t walk that statement back until they pled guilty to felony charges in 2020.
During the 1990s and beyond, physicians around the world prescribed Oxy for pain, including moderate pain. The extreme rise in prescription drug abuse and cases of addiction led to the term opioid crisis, or the opioid epidemic, becoming part of the lexicon. Opioid overdose deaths have nearly tripled since 1990, warranting serious concern.
Today, the street market is flooded with medical-grade opioids, including Oxy and fentanyl, as well as heroin, which is often easier to acquire and cheaper.
Opioid Detox and Rehab at PAATC
There are many benefits to medically supervised detox and professional heroin addiction treatment. In PAATC’s medical detox, you will:
- Be monitored by a medical team to ensure your physical and mental health are protected
- Be provided with medications that ease the worst of your withdrawal symptoms
- Have a much-reduced risk of early relapse
- Experience support during these early days of recovery
- Benefit from the improved likelihood of successful long-term outcomes
When detox is complete, whether you step down into outpatient or inpatient rehab, you’ll receive excellent, evidence-based care at PAATC. You will benefit from:
- A trigger-free environment
- An individualized treatment plan
- Peer support, proven to improve outcomes
- Dual diagnosis treatment if required for co-occurring opioid use and mental health disorders
Options for family therapy, group therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, faith-based programming, and more
Fight Prescription Drug Abuse at PAATC
Let PAATC help you take your first steps on the path to recovery from opioid abuse and addiction. Call today at 844.442.8673 or use this online form. You deserve to live a life of vibrant health. It is possible, and PAATC is ready to support you at every step.
