Williamson County, where Georgetown, Texas is located, has a strong record of handling the national opioid crisis well. The county’s rates of dispensing opioids to patients fell from 32.3 to 29.164 for every 100 patients between 2019 and 2020.1 This drop is consistent with larger trends in battling this ongoing crisis. In fact, according to the CDC, the opioid crisis peaked in 2012 and has been in decline ever since.2 But, even if this crisis is in decline, it’s not over. What should you do if you or someone you love needs opioid treatment in Central Texas? What resources are available, and how should you begin evaluating your options?
The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare offers a safe, non-judgmental environment for those seeking relief from opioid addiction. With facilities in Georgetown and Austin, our comprehensive treatment programs take full advantage of the rugged beauty of Texas Hill Country. You’ll find luxury amenities coupled with unique, cutting-edge treatment modalities. Opioid addiction treatment is available to you now; call The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare today at 844.413.2690. Our intake team is ready for your call no matter where you are in your recovery journey.
The Signs of Opioid Misuse or Addiction
Opioids are a category of potent pain-relieving medications and a class of illicit drugs that includes heroin. When used under the supervision of a doctor, opioids can relieve chronic and acute pain after surgery or a major injury. Opioids are helpful tools in pain management, but they can also be very dangerous. These medications carry a significant risk of misuse or addiction.
Some physical signs of opioid addiction are uncontrollable cravings for opioids, drowsiness, or changing sleep habits. There may also be noticeable changes in weight or exercise habits. Behavioral indicators of addiction include isolation from friends and family or decreased hygiene and self-care. A person may also face financial difficulties as they try to maintain their habit; they may turn to stealing from personal or professional contacts as a result.
How Opioids Work
The ways opioids work in the brain and body pose unique challenges to addiction treatment. By binding to receptors in the brain, nervous system, and gut, these medications block pain signals from the body, which are transmitted to the brain through the spine. In addition to blocking pain, opioids can result in feelings of pleasure or euphoria. Opioids are dangerous because a person is likely to become dependent upon them when seeking this high. As their tolerance to opioids increases, they may require higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect. In addition to the potential for addiction, very high doses of opioids can slow a person’s heart rate and breathing. These symptoms put people at risk of brain damage or even death.
Breaking an Addiction with an Opioid Treatment Center
Breaking an opioid addiction by yourself is not just hard—it can be dangerous. An opioid treatment center will have the personnel and resources to assist a person going through withdrawal safely. With this support and supervision, people will learn to control their addictions and reintegrate into society.
Without guidance, opioid withdrawal can result in severe physical discomfort or mental distress. In fact, the difficulty of withdrawals can result in relapse when one does not have the support or resources to continue the process. This danger is why an opioid treatment program can be especially beneficial to those seeking help with an addiction. It is too hard to go it alone.
There are many approaches to opioid treatment. Research demonstrates that for many people, behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), combined with pharmacological interventions offer the best chance for recovery. CBT can help people identify the harmful thinking and behavioral patterns that contribute to their drug use. Pharmacological treatments may help reduce a person’s dependence on opioids or lessen withdrawal symptoms while detoxing.
Access a Wide Range of Opioid Addiction Treatment at The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare
Finding an opioid treatment center may seem daunting. It’s important to look for opioid treatment programs that will care for the whole person while in treatment and beyond. While the treatment modalities mentioned above are proven interventions, The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare goes above and beyond. Our facilities across the scenic Texas Hill Country offer residential, intensive outpatient, and family support programs. We also capitalize on the stunning natural resources of Williamson County. With nearby rivers for fishing and swimming and wide-open spaces suitable for equine therapy, sports, and leisure, our facilities in Georgetown, Texas offer beautiful, non-judgemental spaces where you can heal.
Contact The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare today at 844.413.2690. Our intake team is available to discuss your options right now.
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