Recovery

There is no one best way to get to recovery. Recovery from opioid addiction takes time, and each individual is different. The doctor who treats your dependence or addiction should work with you to create a substance abuse treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

In some cases, family members and friends may intervene—or stage an intervention—to encourage a person struggling with addiction to take positive action to stop taking drugs and begin to work toward recovery.

While there are many treatment options available (among them, drug rehabilitation clinics, medication-assisted therapy—including methadone treatment, 12-step programs, addiction support groups, and counseling) all have the same ultimate goal: to give people the power to regain control of their lives.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, drug rehabilitation therapy and treatment for substance abuse, addiction, or dependence tends to be less effective when:

• You misuse or abuse other drugs
• You end treatment for addiction too soon
• There is substance abuse by others in your home
• You have family problems that aren't being addressed
• You have other medical or psychological issues that aren't being treated
• Your work conflicts with your treatment for addiction
• Your substance abuse treatment providers don't communicate with each other and/or give you conflicting information
• You are given or prescribed opioid painkillers again, due to an illness or surgery

A trained counselor, along with a doctor who is specially certified and trained to treat opioid dependence, can help you create and follow an action plan and work with you to help you avoid these common addiction recovery pitfalls.

Could you be opioid dependent? Take this quiz and see if you should consider treatment.

Yes, it is. Your physical and your mental well-being are closely intertwined. Sleep, diet, and exercise can affect your mood and your energy levels; your mental outlook can put your physical health at risk, or help you heal.

Being active, well-nourished, and well-rested is always a good starting point. Joining a gym or even adding a short walk to your daily routine can help you feel better, sleep better, and reduce stress. Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.

When you're ready to tackle your physical health, you'll find support in many places, including

• Your physician
• Your counselor
• Family members
• Friends
• Community-based organizations like the Y

Hear real-life stories
Learn from others who've been there—and worked to get their lives back on track.

Part of being in recovery is learning to direct your thinking in ways that can have a positive impact on your life. Acquiring just a few simple skills can help you deal with emotions on your terms. The benefits of understanding yourself better include increased self-confidence, stronger relationships, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that even the worst feelings pass with time.

It's also important to be realistic about your dependence on drugs.

Working with a counselor one-on-one (or with others in a group-therapy setting) can be an important part of that process of self-discovery, and one, moreover, that can help lessen your chances of relapse.

Learn why feelings are so important to your progress. Get information and support.