Rehab treatment programs are designed intricately for individual needs. Since every person’s journey is unique, a treatment plan that works for one may not necessarily work for another. This makes it vital for an addiction specialist to diagnose a person’s level of addiction and determine their needs before enrolling in specific rehab care.

There are a lot of programs that have worked well among people who are suffering from heroin addiction. As long as there is a personal commitment to engage, a lifelong recovery awaits.

What To Expect In Heroin Rehab Treatment

There are two essential aspects of a treatment plan for heroin addiction. First is detoxification and the second is therapy. A behavioral therapy program is highly recommended by most experts, although it is likely for different programs to be combined depending on the patient’s needs.

Here are the details of what happens in the life of a person under rehab care.

Medically Assisted Detox

Treatment always begins with detoxification, the process of weaning off the body from heroin. Since this process comes with major challenges, the aid of prescribed drugs is necessary to extend comfort to the patient. On top of that, the medication also helps fight off strong cravings for the drug and limits the potential occurrence of relapse.

Other ways to manage withdrawal include following a taper schedule, staying hydrated and nourished, and providing the body with as much comfort as possible.

Group and Individual Therapy

Therapy attends to the psychological needs of a patient. In rehab, group and one-on-one sessions with a certified therapist are essential. Active engagement is also necessary so that the program can successfully meet the needs of the patients.

There are various treatment programs among different facilities that serve as a therapy for patients. Therapy refers to effective means of healing and recovery. These sessions are not limited to treatment inside the rehab but can also progress after completing one’s treatment.

Coping Skills Therapy

Patients will be constantly engaged in activities that will strengthen their coping skills. This includes self-awareness techniques, meditation, and cognitive challenges. Examples are writing a journal, solving puzzles, performing yoga exercises, and many more.

Recreational Activities

Recreational activities are also available during rehab. The goal is to help patients reduce their stress levels during treatment. By inducing fun, entertainment, and relaxation during rehab, individuals gain new experiences that allow them to enjoy themselves without getting intoxicated.

What Is A Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program

A dual-diagnosis treatment program is intended for those who are suffering from a mental health problem or another kind of substance addiction in conjunction with their current drug addiction. This condition is termed a co-occurring disorder or comorbidity and it requires specialized treatment.

Heroin is a potent substance commonly used by people struggling with depression or anxiety as a means to self-medicate. The drug tends to induce euphoria among those who struggle psychologically. It makes them feel good for a while and then when the feeling dissipates, they use the substance again. With this constant act, drug addiction likely develops.

Heroin is also commonly used to strengthen the high brought by other substances. Usually, people who do this will seek higher doses to continuously feel satisfied by their substance use. Unfortunately, they fail to understand the fatal risk they are putting their health into in this case.

It is important to note that not all rehab centers offer a dual-diagnosis treatment program. If you have been diagnosed with comorbidities, you have to ensure that you enroll in this kind of program. The treatment can be expensive but it will be worth it in the long run.

A lot of people relapse so easily or even struggle to make progress in their treatment mainly because their comorbidities are overlooked. It is vital to never leave any of these co-occurring illnesses left untreated as this will only continue to trigger a relapse. This program is a complex type of treatment that requires the skills and expertise of the healthcare team.

What Behavioral Therapies Are Beneficial For Heroin Rehab

Behavioral therapy aims to form new behaviors among patients to help them combat from resorting to substance abuse once they meet challenging situations in real life. There are a variety of programs that involve the behavioral approach to drug addiction. You can inquire which of the following is offered by your chosen rehab facility.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT values the importance of coordinating personal thoughts, feelings, and actions to improve one’s reaction toward what triggers their addiction. The goal of CBT is to allow patients to acknowledge the misconceptions in their minds which lead them to substance abuse and build a healthier means to deal with these negative perceptions.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT centers on teaching individuals to learn to manage their own emotions so that they can avoid self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse. There are four skills targeted by DBT to develop. This includes increasing tolerance for distress, regulating emotions, practicing mindfulness, and developing strong interpersonal skills.

Trauma Therapy

Some people possess traumatic experiences that they choose to cover with substance abuse. Trauma therapy would be of great value for this type of struggle. This program will help treat the physical and mental symptoms influenced by a traumatic experience and develop ways to overcome it in a healthy and meaningful way.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is intended for individuals who struggle to accept the consequences of their situation. This is a huge problem that needs to be intervened for a person to progress through treatment. ACT aims to help patients arrange new goals that could help them significantly in overcoming their addiction, and one of the goals would be to acknowledge their situation.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI aims to increase personal motivation toward overcoming substance addiction. Some individuals struggle in believing that they still have a chance to change their life significantly and that the key lies in their decision to try. MI can be very relevant to individuals going through this phase.