Heroin Addiction Treatment Clinic

Learn more about heroin addiction treatment at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Heroin addiction has repeatedly been called one of the most addictive, destructive, and painful addictions in the world. Derived from the prescription pain medication morphine, heroin is an opioid substance that works as a depressant on the central nervous system. This substance decreases the brain’s ability to feel pain, while increasing feelings of euphoria and well-being. Due to the rapid onset of the pleasurable effects and the prolonged duration of the high it produces, the appeal of heroin is a strong one. Once a person develops an addiction to this drug, his or her life can slowly begin to spiral out of control. The staff at Vermilion in Lafayette, Louisiana wants to help you put an end to that devastating cycle.

At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems, we understand that suffering from an addiction to heroin can have overwhelming effects on a person’s life, as well as on the lives of those around him or her. In order to help alleviate that devastation, we provide specialized programming designed to meet the intensive needs of these individuals. With a clear focus on client care and patient safety, our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized, comprehensive, and high-quality care and treatment for individuals who are struggling with psychiatric concerns, chemical dependency issues, or co-occurring disorders. At Vermilion’s rehab clinic, we aim to promote each individual’s mental, emotional, and social wellness by utilizing proven therapeutic techniques and providing a safe and structured treatment environment that is conducive to true healing and recovery. You do not have to look far for help. We are here for you.

Helping a loved one get treatment for heroin addiction

If you have a family member or loved one who is fighting the demon of heroin addiction, you may feel at a loss as to what you can do to help. You know that your loved one needs an intervention, and you want to be there to help him or her start the recovery process. Yet you may be fearful as to how your loved one will react to the mere mention of getting treatment. It is important to remember that, regardless of the defensive hostility that may await you, helping your loved one recognize his or her need for treatment is the only way that he or she can take the first step towards a positive future.

In order to make the process go as smoothly as possible, here are some things to keep in mind when reaching out to your loved one about his or her need for addiction treatment:

• Educate yourself about what it means to have an addiction. Recognizing that this is a disease can help provide you with the empathy you need when confronting your loved one.
• Refrain from “preaching” at your loved one. He or she is already well aware of how horrible the drug is and how devastating its effects can be. Lecturing him or her will likely only increase defensiveness and denial.
• Provide your loved one with various options for the different kinds of treatment available for heroin dependency.
• Seek out support from other people in your loved one’s life so that he or she can see that the concern goes far beyond you alone.
• Do not throw away any drugs that you may find. This will only anger your loved one and cause further resistance towards the thought of receiving treatment.
• Offer your unconditional support.

Why consider treatment for heroin addiction at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

As its believed to be one of the most addictive substances ever created, overcoming one’s dependence on heroin can be extremely difficult. While people struggling with a heroin addiction may recognize the detrimental impact that their drug use has had on their lives, the fear that accompanies the oncoming withdrawal period that inevitably results from ceasing use can override the knowledge that quitting the drug is a life or death decision.

Inpatient treatment services have proven to be one of the most effective ways of helping individuals overcome their addiction to heroin. When entering an inpatient rehab, people are able to step away from their normal, everyday environment, which is likely full of triggers that lead to their use of the substance. While at this clinic, individuals can safely detox from this poisonous drug while beginning the therapeutic process of recovering. Safe from having access to heroin, those participating in an inpatient program will receive support from addiction specialists and mental health professionals, as well as from other patients who are suffering from chemical dependency struggles. Their only responsibility while in this type of rehab is to focus on healing, recovering, and developing the tools needed to return to a life of sobriety.

Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems philosophy and treatment benefits

For over 30 years, Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette has prided itself in being the most comprehensive, free-standing provider of behavioral health services in the area, providing exceptional patient care in the safest environment possible. Our multidisciplinary team of specialty clinical staff, including addiction specialists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, mental health technicians, recreational therapists, and case managers, is devoted to maintaining optimal training and development to increase competency with all of the different populations that we serve. We strive to help our patients explore and process issues and challenges and increase insight and understanding of their own mental health and chemical dependency concerns. By encouraging family involvement and enlisting community support, we aim to assist those who come to us for care in meeting their treatment goals while in the hospital and beyond.

Types of heroin addiction treatment offered at Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Upon first arriving at Vermilion’s clinic, all patients take part in a free, confidential level of care screening by one of our Assessment and Referral Specialists. After gathering all pertinent information, the A&R Specialist will review the evaluation with one of our psychiatrists, who will then recommend the level of care best suited to meet the patient’s needs.

At Vermilion, we believe in the power of using rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) as our main approach to treatment. We have found that this therapeutic model is suited for treating both acute and short-term lengths of stay due to its effectiveness in working quickly by focusing on skill-building, as well as by identifying and disputing irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions. By implementing this REBT approach to treatment, the therapeutic interventions that are incorporated at our inpatient clinic include the following:

Detoxification: For adults who come to us dealing with an addiction to heroin, we provide a fully-monitored medical detox program. As part of the 12-step model of recovery, we implement the idea of “rational recovery,” designed to provide patients with recovery skills that can last a lifetime and prevent future struggles with addiction.

Medication management: Patients who are suffering from a co-occurring disorder may receive medication in order to treat any symptoms they are experiencing. Meetings with a psychiatrist occur on a regular basis in order to monitor the effectiveness of any medication that is prescribed and to make any necessary changes.

Group therapy: Group therapy is the main component of treatment at our inpatient clinic. Various groups are held on a daily basis and may include discussions on:

• Mental illness education
• Anger management and conflict resolution
• Healthy relationships, including developing effective communication skills and appropriate boundaries
• Goal-setting
• Problem-solving
• Medication education
• Holistic wellness
• Relapse prevention

Individual therapy: Individual counseling sessions are held on an as-needed basis and provide patients with time to meet alone with their therapist in order to discuss any they have and to reflect on goals that have been reached.

Family therapy: We believe that positive changes are initiated through the family unit as a whole, which is why we strongly encourage our patients’ family members to actively participate in the therapeutic process. Family sessions are designed to address issues that affect the entire family and begin the process of identifying solutions. We also offer parents and caregivers education on mental illness, substance abuse, and medication management so that they can effectively help their loved one.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This form of therapy is designed to help people create a rich and meaningful life, while developing the skills needed to effectively handle the pain and stress that comes with life’s experiences.

In order to provide a fully comprehensive therapeutic experience, Vermilion also provides the following:

• Experiential therapies
• Expressive therapies
• Recreation therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for heroin addiction

At Vermilion’s addiction clinic in Lafayette, LA, we believe that thorough planning is critical to ensuring a patient is discharged into the most supportive environment possible after their inpatient stay. By doing so, we are able to promote a positive continuity of care and quality of life, maximize stabilization, and minimize the need for re-hospitalization. Our social services staff works with each patient’s treatment team to develop a discharge plan based on the patient’s needs, resources, preferences, family involvement, location of residence, and community resources. With patient consent, this plan is then passed on to the designated discharge planner who initiates referrals, schedules appointments, and finalizes any other necessary arrangements.

Whatever your needs may be, the staff at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems will do everything in their power to get you back on the road to a happy, healthy life.