Opioid Addiction Rehab in Ohio

America is facing an opioid crisis.

Overdoses from opioids now kill more people than car accidents. But this does not have to be your story. A full recovery is possible at Forward Health in Ohio.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include illegal drugs like heroin, synthetic opioids like fentanyl and prescription pain relievers like oxycodone and hydrocodone. All opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Although these drugs can be taken safely to treat pain, they can be habit-forming.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that more than 2 million Americans abuse opioids and more than 90 people die every day from opioid use. We are currently facing an opioid epidemic, with more Americans dying from accidental drug overdoses than car accidents, firearms, homicides or HIV/AIDS.

If you are concerned about an opioid use disorder (OUD), take the first step to healing today. Contact Forward Health in Ohio to learn more about our outpatient treatment services and how they can help you succeed in your recovery.

What Makes Opioid Drugs So Addictive?

Opioids are habit forming because they create artificial endorphins in the brain to make people feel relaxed and happy. But over time, opioids trick the brain into stopping the production of natural endorphins. As a result, users can only experience positive feelings by using opioids. If they don’t use them, they end up feeling sick and depressed.

Some opioids create 100 times more endorphins than the body would naturally, which is where the “high” comes from. Just think of what this is doing to the brain and body! This is why the brain stops endorphin production and there’s no way to get it back unless you take the drug again. And this, sadly, is what starts the cycle of opioid addiction.

Opioids: The Ohio Drug Problem

So why are we facing an opioid crisis – and why is Ohio in the middle of it?

A lot has to do with the over-prescribing of opioid medications. These drugs are often used to treat acute and chronic pain despite their addictive nature. The CDC reports that between 21 and 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids misuse them. Once addicted, some people move to heroin because it can be cheaper and more accessible than prescription pills.

Heroin and prescription drugs have ravaged Ohio communities in recent years. The number one crime in Ohio is opioid addiction and related offenses committed to pay for drugs. An estimated 200,000 Ohioans suffer from addiction – nearly double the national average – giving us one of the highest rates of overdose in the country.

Opioid Addiction Treatment Services in Ohio

Forward Health is committed to helping Ohioans and those across the country fight their addiction. We provide a wide range of outpatient treatment services that allow clients to work on their recoveries while maintaining much of their normal routine. If you work, attend school or have a home to care for, you’ll appreciate the flexibility that outpatient treatment offers.

The treatment services we recommend for opioid use disorders are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is one of the most effective therapies for treating an opioid use disorder. This form of talk therapy improves mental health by addressing emotional regulation and coping skills.
Family therapy. Family therapy helps families navigate the cycle of addition. It provides support to the person who wants to quit opioids, as well as the family unit, leading to improved outcomes.
Motivational interviewing. This evidence-based therapy guides people through the various stages of change and prepares them to quit opioid use, even before they’re ready to.
12-step facilitation. This strategy is built on the premise that a mutual support group like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can help people in recovery achieve and maintain abstinence. Forward Health introduces clients to the 12 steps.

You should never overlook an opioid use disorder, even if the dependency started with doctor-prescribed pain pills. Opioids are destructive and can lead to heroin use, overdose and death.

Contact Forward Health today to take the first step toward healing. Our outpatient programs have everything you need to safely start your recovery.

Opioid Addiction Rehab in Ohio

Introduction to Addiction Treatment in Columbus, OH

What Makes Opioid Drugs So Addictive?

Opioids: The Ohio Drug Problem

Opioid Addiction Treatment Services in Ohio