I subscribe to the guidelines of The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which state that the objective of any opioid-based pain care strategy is to safely reduce pain and increase a patient’s ability to undertake everyday activities. Working with their doctor, patients can usually find safe and effective care options to help them reach their goals. The use of prescription opioids can have several side effects as well, even when taken as directed, and therefore need to be managed closely.
Residential treatment programs are usually considered the highest intensity option for the treatment of OUD. Such programs are designed to provide a safe and supportive place to evaluate and treat those with substance use disorders. They do this by having medical personnel supervising residents on a 24-hour, 7-day a-week basis. In this manner they provide intensive addiction management, including monitoring of any complications that may arise. Residential treatment programs have been shown to be most beneficial for patients with unstable housing, co-morbid mental health conditions, or high medical need.
For a patient to be considered in opioid remission, we need to see a reduction or disappearance of signs and symptoms of their opioid addiction. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) emphasizes that in order for those in recovery to achieve a state of remission, they must remain “actively involved” in their recovery, which may require taking any medications as prescribed, one on one therapy, 12 step programs, and maintaining ongoing contact with a sponsor. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) classifies actual remission as an improved state for both one’s mind and body functioning with significantly improved control over cravings and triggers.
Similar Posts
Mental Health for Seniors
Mental health in seniors is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked. While age itself doesn’t guarantee an increase in depression, factors like health issues, loss of loved ones, or social isolation can contribute to higher rates of depression in older adults. It’s essential to address mental health concerns at any…
Q&A New Drug for Post Partum Depression
How do traditional therapeutic interventions compare with the potential benefits of the new FDA-approved pill for postpartum depression? The new U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved zuranolone is the first oral medication for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD), a major depressive episode that usually happens after childbirth. Previously PPD was only treated with an IV…
Journaling for Mental Health
First off, people suffering from depression and anxiety should know that journaling can be a very successful way in which to put their difficult, negative thoughts to work in a therapeutic and even artistic manner. Journaling can be a genuine tool for self-expression and in this way it can help people grow and push aside…
Exercise and Depression
When we exercise, a complex chemical reaction takes place in your brain which can help boost your mood. These chemicals include endorphins and endocannabinoids, which can actually work in tandem to fight depression. Exercise also often gets us out of the house, into the company of others and forces our mind to focus on things…
When You’re Just Not Feeling Yourself
We live in a complicated world and are presented with challenges on a daily basis. Sometimes it just seems too much when you look around and see pandemics, war, economic challenges, and environmental problems. These kinds of challenges often result in excess stress and anxiety, and even depression. Many people feel like they’re not prepared…
Women, Men and PTSD Q&A
Why are women more likely to develop PTSD than men?Women are more than two and a half times as likely to develop PTSD than men: 10% for women vs. 4% for men. And there are a number of reasons women experience PTSD more frequently than men:Women are more likely to experience sexual assault than men,Being…