Opiate Addiction Treatment Clinic

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

Opiates are a class of drugs that are designed to reduce pain and increase feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Opiates include a large number of different drugs that are extracted from the seeds of the opium poppy as well as various synthesized drugs that were developed in laboratory settings. While they can be legally prescribed by a physician, opiates are extremely addictive and if not take exactly as prescribed can cause long-term physical and psychological problems after prolonged abuse. While these narcotics are most commonly used in the medical industry, it has become increasingly easier to purchase these pills on the street and use recreationally. Prolonged use can lead to the development of an addiction which is not only difficult to treat, but also dangerous for the user.

At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, Louisiana, we understand that if you are struggling with an addiction to opiates that it has most likely left a path of destruction in your life. In order to help put right what this addiction has demolished, 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, 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. We are here for you.

Helping a loved one get treatment for opiate addiction

When a loved one has become dependent on opiates, a strong and solid support system at home is going to be one of the most beneficial things for that individual. However, while support is extremely important in helping a loved one beat their addiction it is important that you do not enable a loved one’s behavior or emotional outbursts. This means that firm boundaries need to be set and that you need to follow through when they break these rules. Some tips to help establish a solid support system include:

• Do not lie or make excuses for your loved one
• Do not pick up the slack for them when responsibilities don’t get done
• Do not loan them money
• Do not obtain drugs for them
• Do not take the blame for their behavior

Having a loved one who has an opiate addiction can be emotionally challenging and physically exhausting. In addition to being upset that your loved one is continuously putting themselves in harm’s way, you are most likely scared about what the future holds. While you may not know exactly what you can do it is important that you take action to get your loved one the help that they need. Here are some ideas that may be beneficial when helping your loved one:

• Speak up. Do not be afraid to talk to your loved one about your concerns
• Learn all you can about addiction and treatment options that are available
• Listen to what your loved one has to say without being judgmental
• Take care of yourself

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

After prolonged opiate abuse, those who have become addicted to this class of drugs will continue to use despite the harm it is causing them in most aspects of their life. Individuals who are addicted to opiates often have a hard time maintaining a job and may resort to stealing in order to continue to support their habit. Additionally, opiate abuse runs the risk of causing serious health complications, such as fatal overdose, collapsed veins, infections in the heart, and liver disease. Opiates are also extremely hard on an individual’s mental health and sense of self. As the addiction takes over an individual has a difficult time thinking clearly, planning for the future, and making good decisions. As an individual begins to feel out of sorts, depression can quickly set in. Since opiates are extremely addictive it is difficult for an individual to stop using on their own— in some cases they may have tried to quit only to start using again a few days later. This is why an inpatient rehab clinic is needed; to provide help that can be lifesaving.

Inpatient treatment is known to be a very beneficial way for individuals who have become addicted to opiates to begin to come to terms with their addiction and start the recovery process. An inpatient program provides addicts with the opportunity to surround themselves with a safe environment that will help to lessen the temptation to use by eliminating some of the stress faced on a daily basis. Most inpatient programs that focus on chemical dependency will start the treatment process with a fully-monitored medical detox, which will rid the body of all toxic substances. Once the therapeutic process begins, these individuals will have access to support from mental health professionals, addiction specialists, and other individuals who are fighting the grips of addiction. While at an inpatient clinic, the only responsibility that patients have is to focus on healing and learning the skills 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 opiate addiction treatment offered at Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Upon first arriving at Vermilion’s rehab clinic, all patients take part in a free, confidential level of care screening by one of our Assessment and Referral Specialists. Once all pertinent information is obtained, the A&R Specialist will review the evaluation with one of our psychiatrists, who will then recommend the best level of care that will best 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 this therapeutic model to be successful in 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 with an addiction to opiates, 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 individuals with recovery skills that can last a lifetime and prevent future struggles with addiction.

Medication management: While there is no medication used to treat opiate addiction, 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 in our inpatient rehab. 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
• Relapse prevention
• Medication education
• Holistic wellness

Individual therapy: Individual counseling sessions are held on an as-needed basis and provide patients with time to meet privately with their therapist in order to discuss any concerns they have.

Family therapy: We believe that positive changes are initiated through the family unit as a whole, so we strongly encourage our patients’ family members to actively participate in the therapeutic process in order to have a more successful recovery. Family sessions are designed to address issues that affect the entire family and begin the process of identifying solutions.

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:

• Expressive therapies
• Experiential therapies
• Recreation therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for opiate addiction

At Vermilion Behavioral Health in Lafayette, LA, we believe that thorough planning is crucial to ensuring a patient is discharged into the most supportive environment possible after their inpatient stay. In doing so, we are able to promote a positive continuity of care, 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.