Are you or a loved one suffering from opioid addiction?

At The Plymouth House we understand just how devastating opioid addiction can be. Opioid addiction affects millions of Americans every year, and according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse there were more than 50,000 reported opioid overdose deaths in the year 2019 alone. Opioid addiction can include an addiction to opioid narcotic painkillers like hydrocodone, oxycodone or oxycontin, illicit opiates like heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. It is estimated that between 21 and 29 percent of all men and women who are prescribed an opioid painkiller will eventually abuse it, and that 80 percent of people who are currently addicted to heroin began by abusing prescription painkillers. But… There is hope! Plymouth House has helped hundreds of men and women of all ages recover from opioid addiction. The Plymouth House program utilizes a powerful combination of intensive 12 Step work and behavioral therapy in order to help guests overcome opioid addiction long-term and go on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

More About Opioid Addiction

How do people become addicted to opioid narcotics? In many cases, the development of physical and psychological dependence is entirely unintentional. Many people who are prescribed a painkiller like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine or morphine to treat a short-term pain related issue eventually begin abusing the medication simply because tolerance builds so quickly. For example, a person is prescribed 2.5mg of hydrocodone to be taken once every six hours after an invasive surgical procedure. After taking the medication for several days, the person starts to notice that his or her pain is more intense than it was immediately after the procedure. Rather than consult the prescribing physician, the person ups the dose to 5mg. The person was given a limited supply of the medication, so after continuing to up the dose for the next week or so, he or she asks a friend to use their unused oxycodone prescription until the pain subsides. In the majority of cases the development of a severe opioid addiction can be this insidious.

If you have been prescribed an opioid painkiller, it is crucial that you take it exactly as it was prescribed. Otherwise you are liable to develop an opioid abuse disorder that can rapidly progress into a heroin addiction.

Common symptoms of opioid addiction include:

• Using more of the opioid than intended for a longer period of time than intended
• Spending more time alone/avoiding close friends and family members
• Changes to sleeping patterns/appearing tired and fatigued throughout the day
• Changes to eating patterns which often lead to weight loss
• A lack of attention paid to personal hygiene/not bathing, brushing teeth, combing hair or changing clothes from day-to-day
• A loss of interest in hobbies and activities that were previously enjoyed
• Physical symptoms of opioid use, like track marks on the inner arms (heroin), nodding out and excessive yawning
• Experiencing mood swings/being happy and engaged one moment and angry, irritable and defensive the next moment
• Experiencing a range of personal consequences as a direct result of opioid use, which can be legal, financial, physical or interpersonal in nature
• A significantly decreased performance at work or at school
• Failing to take care of personal responsibilities and obligations
• Engaging in drug-seeking activities, which could include doctor shopping, stealing medications from family members or friends or pawning valuable items to make money for heroin
• Developing a physical tolerance, meaning more of the opioid is required in order for the desired effects to be produced
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when opioid use is suddenly stopped

Because opioid withdrawal can be physically and psychologically severe, we recommend that any guest who has been abusing an opioid narcotic of any kind enter into a medically monitored detox center before transitioning into our residential inpatient treatment center. The Plymouth House has wonderful relationships with local medical detox centers. We can help arrange your admission and transition to The Plymouth House. Contact us 24/7 to learn more about medical detox and how to arrange for treatment.

Treatment Options for Opioid Addiction

There are four predominant goals when it comes to treating opioid abuse and dependence. At The Plymouth House we have developed a comprehensive and individualized addiction treatment program that centers around these four goals:

1. Identify all of the underlying and contributing factors that led to the development of the opioid abuse disorder in the first place. These factors could be environmental, biological, behavioral or social, and they are all equally important. 
2. Learn about the consequences associated with opioid addiction and learn an entirely new set of coping skills to help avoid these consequences in the future. 
3. Utilize a combination of evidence-based treatment methods to heal the physical body, the mind and the spirit while restoring emotional well-being. 
4. Teach guests to stand on their own two feet as they navigate a drug-free life once inpatient treatment has come to an end. 

Treating an opioid addiction is not a one-size-fits-all process. People respond differently to certain treatment methods, and what works for one guest might not work as well for another. When it comes to treating opioid addiction, a combination of intensive therapy and 12-Step program involvement is often the most effective approach. At the Plymouth House we help each and every one of our guests overcome opioid addiction and go on to lead purposeful, joyful lives free from all mood and mind-altering chemical substances.

How The Plymouth House Can Help

At The Plymouth House, guests are fully immersed in the 12 Steps, the best known and most consistently effective model for the successful treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly encouraged reading for everyone in our program. There is a common misconception that Alcoholics Anonymous is reserved for men and women who struggle with alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and that anyone who struggles with opioid abuse must participate in Narcotics Anonymous. While our guests ultimately get to choose which 12-Step program they participate in long-term, the steps are all the same. We focus on AA and the principles behind those Steps. In addition to Step Work, our curriculum includes a variety of educational groups, intensive therapeutic intervention and a range of evidence-based holistic treatment methods. The peaceful and serene landscape surrounding our facility is full of opportunities to engage in recreational activities, exercise and relaxation. Some of the activities included on our daily schedule are hiking, horseshoes, basketball and workshops in yoga and meditation.

Contact Us Today to Begin Your Recovery Journey

If you or someone you love has been struggling with opioid addiction, there is help available and recovery is always possible. Because opioid narcotics are so highly addictive, committing to a long-term program of recovery while in the grips of physical and psychological dependence might seem nothing short of impossible. Rest assured that as you or your loved one progresses in his or her treatment program, living a drug-free life will feel totally attainable.

Our experienced team of Treatment Advisors will personally work with you from your first contact with us until the day that you arrive at The Plymouth House. We know that in most cases our guests and their loved ones have a myriad of questions regarding available treatment options, covering the cost of inpatient treatment, our gender-specific residential facilities and the finer details of the admissions process. With one phone call we will assist families and individuals to make the right choices for their situation, and begin on the road to healing.