California Treatment Center for Opiate and Opioid Addiction

An opioid is a narcotic drug with an opiate as an active ingredient. Opiates are commonly known to be one of the most addictive narcotic painkillers. The history of opiate abuse in the United States is long and complicated, with heroin and opium use in existence since the early days of the country's history. We have observed an alarming trend in the abuse of prescription opioids such as OxyContin (active ingredient oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone).

Be sure to take our prescription drug addiction quiz to learn more about the symptoms of prescription drug abuse and addiction.

Here in Orange County at Sober Living by the Sea, we have created a variety of programs that allows us to individualize the treatment programs we offer for men and women who are suffering from opioid dependence. We have gender-specific treatment programs for men as well as treatment programs for women. We also offer the entire continuum of care from rapid opiate detox to outpatient drug rehab right on one central campus in Newport Beach.

We have a staff of addiction professionals that understands the unique needs of the man or woman who has become addicted to opioids. Recovering from opiate addiction brings with it a difficult detox, overwhelming cravings, and a very high relapse rate. Fortunately for the men and women who are treated by our team here in Newport Beach, they get the benefit of Orange County's vibrant recovery and support community with over 22,000 12-Step meetings occurring weekly.

A Brief History of Opioid and Narcotic Opiate Abuse

Opium was a popular drug in the Middle East dating back to 3,400 B.C., and has been popular in China and other parts of Asia since 400 A.D. The drug, in various forms, was legal in the United States until the early 1920's, and the more potent injectable opiate heroin has wreaked havoc in the United States since the 1940s. Soldiers in the Vietnam War were introduced to opium and heroin in Southeast Asia, and that exposure fueled a strong resurgence of the drug in the 1970s. Heroin also became socially chic in the 1990s. Recent developments in Afghanistan and areas of the Middle East have led to a recent resurgence of heroin abuse in the United States.

Prescription Opioid Dependence and Abuse

In recent years, prescription drug addiction - the "invisible epidemic" - has caused many adults to become addicted to "legal" prescription versions of opiates sold under brand names like: Vicodin, Oxycontin, Fentanyl, Ultram, Lortab, Lorcet, and Norco. There is also a class of opioids that contains hydromorphones and morphine derivatives with brand names like Dilaudid, Duramorph, and Roxanol.

The sensation of using opioids is one of euphoria and an overwhelming sense of well-being. The opioid-addicted person is often originally prescribed the medication to manage the pain of an operation or other medical condition.

Gradually, the chemically dependent person becomes physically addicted to the opioids. This is a dangerous and insidious addiction because it is fraught with denial and the potential for overdose. When combined with alcohol, the opioids' effects are heightened. Men and women who use the two substances in tandem are engaging in an incredibly risky activity. Coma and death are distinctly possible outcomes of an overdose on opiate-based medications and/or alcohol.

Dependence to opioids is characterized by painful withdrawal symptoms if the opiate use is abruptly discontinued after tolerance has developed. The withdrawal symptoms include sweating, nausea, depression, fatigue, vomiting, and pain. While psychological addiction is more common in people taking opioids recreationally, it is less common in patients taking opioids for pain relief. Our drug and alcohol rehab center has a facility in its network that offers suboxone detoxification to help make the process of withdrawing from opioids less painful.

Painless Opioid Detoxification and Early Abstinence Using Suboxone, Subutex, or Buprenorphine

A safe and rapid opiate detoxification process like the one offered at our drug and alcohol treatment center in Newport Beach can assist with the withdrawal and pain of detox. Medical developments have led to Suboxone detox, which offers one of the most painless detoxifications from opioids possible. Suboxone is a brand name for an opioid receptor blocker called buprenorphine, which is also ingestable in tablet form during the first few months of opioid abstinence.

The acute withdrawal phase is often followed by a protracted phase of depression and insomnia that can last for months. At our treatment center here in California, the recovering opioid user is guided supportively through the program of recovery in order to overcome their psychological addiction while simultaneously reducing their level of physical addiction.

Individualized Treatment Programs to Treat Opioid Addiction

Opioid-addicted adults who need help to recover from addiction to opioids, morphine derivatives, and narcotic painkillers like vicodin, oxycontin, fentanyl, ultram, dilaudid, and other drugs respond differently to drug rehab programs than our clients who are alcoholics. We have gender-specific programs with a high counselor-to-client ratio that allow us to give the individualized treatment and support that a man or woman needs to overcome their addiction to opiates. We also offer the Reflections treatment program for mature adults.

If you are physically and/or psychologically addicted to opioid painkillers, we recommend that you use our website and resources to gather information about receiving help. We can help with intervention if it is needed, as well as suboxone / buprenorphine detox, primary care, long-term rehab, and outpatient treatment.

Call our admissions team to get help with addiction immediately and come to Orange County where we can provide the entire continuum of care from detox to outpatient drug rehab. With just one call, we can help you get started in the right direction with the help you need to overcome opioid dependency.