Partial Hospitalization Archives - Freeman Recovery Center

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Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal and Treatment

Written by Freeman Recovery on February 16, 2024. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Addiction Treatment, Inpatient Rehab, Partial Hospitalization.

Understanding Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal, and Treatment

Opioid addiction is a serious issue that poses life-threatening risks, such as overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose, such as slowed breathing and unconsciousness, is crucial to saving lives. Similarly, understanding the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including intense cravings and physical discomfort, is the first step toward seeking help. Effective opioid overdose treatment and opioid withdrawal management are essential components of the path to recovery, aiming to provide individuals with the tools and support they need to reclaim their lives.

Whether you or a loved one is struggling with dependency, opioid addiction recovery is possible through specialized care. From inpatient and outpatient programs to holistic approaches and behavioral therapies, opioid detox programs at leading opioid addiction treatment centers combine evidence-based strategies with compassionate care. Continue reading to learn more about the opioid detoxification process, medication-assisted treatments, and the comprehensive recovery services available to help you achieve long-term freedom from addiction.

An opioid overdose occurs when opioids adversely affect the part of the brain that controls respiration. This usually stems from addiction that requires detox. A dangerous and life-threatening symptom of an opioid overdose is problematic or suppressed breathing.

Without sufficient oxygen, death can occur quickly. Thus, an opioid overdose is a medical emergency that requires specific medication and medical attention immediately.

What is An Opioid Overdose?

An opioid overdose happens when high levels of opioids or opioids and other substances excessively stimulate the area of the brain controlling breathing. Respiratory depression leads to death if not treated immediately. Cardiac arrest (heart attack) is a secondary concern after respiratory depression.

Opioids are central nervous system depressants and can lead to overdose, especially when combined with benzodiazepines. Everyone has a personal tolerance level for opioids, but in many cases, people are not aware that opioids are present in the drugs they are using.

When an overdose occurs, medical professionals recommend entering a detox program immediately to avoid future overdose dangers. After an initial overdose, subsequent overdose danger increases. Treatment centers that specialize in detox are fully aware of these dangers and recommend medical supervision during detox.

The leading medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid withdrawal symptoms during detox are the following:

Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids
Methadone reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings
Buprenorphine softens withdrawal symptoms and cravings

Opioid Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in 2021, just over 50 million people in the United States reported chronic pain, and another 17 million had high-impact pain. Treatments for this population also included 139,523,956 prescriptions for opioids. In the same year, prescriptions of Naloxone exceeded 1,184,612 to treat opioid overdose, and 16,105,318 prescriptions of buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction.

The use of fentanyl in nonmedical opioids is the primary cause of the increase in overdose. Overdose is the leading cause of death in the US, with opioids at the top of the scale of use. The alarming numbers the CDC collects point to 75% of opioid overdoses stemming from nonmedical use of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Illegal synthetic opioids and drug manufacturers add fentanyl to make their drugs more attractive because of the added potency. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports in 2021, there were 80, 411 deaths from opioid overdoses.

The Opioid Epidemic

An alarming trend brought opioids to the forefront when, from 1999 to 2021, nearly 645,000 people died from drug overdoses involving both prescription and illicit opioids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immediately took action to monitor this horrific rise in opioid overdose deaths. In 2021, the CDC reported 220 people each day died from opioid-involved overdose.

The opioid epidemic presents in 3 distinctive waves:

An increase in opioid prescriptions in the 1990s began the rise in opioid overdose deaths in 1999.
In the year 2010, additional increases in overdose deaths were due to the use of heroin.
The third and most alarming wave began in 2013 when illicit fentanyl found its way into heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.

Types of Opioids

Opioids are narcotic medications that are both natural and synthetic. They can be very dangerous in their natural, purified, and concentrated form. Prescription narcotics treat chronic pain from injuries or surgery.

Opioids, primarily made in labs, are highly addictive and, through misuse, can cause unintentional addiction. Despite the dangers of addiction, opioids are the leading treatment for chronic pain.

Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Oxycodone
Oxymorphone
Morphine
Codeine
Fentanyl

Fatal and Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses

Non-fatal opioid overdose is much more common than fatal overdose involving opioids. Treatment options have become much more available to the public for the immediate treatment of opioid overdose. With public education on fentanyl and opioid overdose and the release of Narcan availability, fatalities are beginning to decrease. Knowing the signs of opioid overdose is essential for everyone because illicit opioid users will likely experience overdose.
The World Health Organization describes the likelihood of fatal overdose depending on the administration, with injection being more likely. Other factors that result in a higher risk of fatal overdose with opioids are if tolerance is affected by a period of abstinence. People who are in relapse, hospital care, or custody may be impacted by overdose when use begins as the tolerance level changes. An opioid overdose is always a medical emergency.

The signs and symptoms of opioid overdose include:

Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
Cyanosis (blue lips or fingernails)
Shallow, slowed or stopped breathing
Pinpoint pupils
Snoring or gurgling sounds coming from the mouth
Cold and clammy skin

Opioids and Opiates: Are They the Same?

The 2 words are typically interchangeable, but they are different. Opioids are natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic chemicals that interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain.

The primary function of these drugs is to reduce pain levels and feelings of pain. Opiates are natural opioids such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. Opioids refer to all-natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl, Vicodin, and Percocet.

Medications and Sprays Used to Treat Opioid Overdoses

Naloxone (Narcan) is the leading treatment for opioid overdose. Narcan reverses opioid overdose by being an opioid antagonist. This mediation attaches to the opioid receptors in the body and blocks the effects of opioids.

It comes in spray or injection form. The effectiveness continues for roughly 30 to 90 minutes, in time to receive professional medical treatment at a facility. Overdose effects can extend beyond that time, but physicians can address breathing issues and offer medical care.

Get Hands-On Opioid Support in Tennessee

Freeman Recovery Center, nestled in Nashville, Tennessee, offers comprehensive rehabilitation services meticulously tailored to address a wide spectrum of substance use disorders including opioid use disorder. Our specialized opioid and drug rehab programs cater to individuals battling alcohol addiction, drug addiction, cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, meth addiction, benzo addiction, and prescription drug addiction. By combining evidence-based practices with holistic care, we deliver empathetic and professional support that focuses on the unique needs of each patient. Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where teenagers and their parents feel encouraged and empowered to overcome addiction, achieve lasting recovery, and rebuild their lives with confidence and resilience.

Opioid addiction is frightening because of the chance of a fatal overdose. Freeman Recovery Center in Tennessee understands the addictive quality of opioids and how quickly tolerance, dependence, and addiction can happen. Opioid detox can be safe with medical management and the assistance of medication.

Contact the center to discuss the details of admission and begin the ending of an opioid addiction.

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What Is the Role of Case Management in Addiction Treatment Centers?

Written by Freeman Recovery on June 9, 2023. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Addiction Treatment, Inpatient Rehab, Partial Hospitalization.

Addiction treatment centers offer various services, but not all centers provide case management in addiction treatment for their patients. For example, if a patient must receive care from multiple facilities, a manager can coordinate the treatment plan to link all facilities.

Someone deciding whether they need a case manager to coordinate all the treatment services that cover an individual’s needs can depend on the complexity of the treatment plan. Lastly, the case manager’s role in addiction treatment is to ensure the patient receives medical, behavioral health, and addiction treatment services in harmony to meet the patient’s goals.

What Is Case Management?

Case management in addiction treatment coordinates an individualized approach to achieving the patient’s treatment goals through a manager. A case manager evaluates the treatment plan, and facilitates the services needed to ensure all therapies are complete. Another factor is determining the best facility for the patient to receive the care.

Medical care, behavioral health therapies, and aftercare programs process through the manager. Finally, case management is proving extremely effective on a large-scale basis. Addiction treatment centers only sometimes utilize case management opportunities.

Federally qualified health centers (FQHC), veteran’s programs, community health centers, and specialty addiction treatment centers recommend case management in addiction treatment. SAMHSA states through one of their studies “the percentage of treatment programs using case management has risen since 2000 from 66% of the 13,418 facilities then in operation to 83% of the 15,961 facilities operating in 2019.”

What Is the Role of Case Management in Addiction Treatment?

The role of case management in addiction treatment is to coordinate and oversee every step of a person’s recovery journey, beginning with the initial screening and assessment and continuing through aftercare. A substance abuse case manager evaluates the patient’s medical, behavioral, and substance use history to build a cohesive plan that supports lasting recovery. They also help match treatment services with facilities that meet the patient’s financial and therapeutic needs.

An example of case management in addiction treatment might involve a patient who begins detox at one facility, continues therapy at another, and later transitions into outpatient care. The case manager ensures all services are properly connected so there are no gaps in care. This structured coordination helps maintain consistency, reduce stress, and increase the likelihood of long-term sobriety.

When looking at what case management in mental health and addiction treatment involves, it’s clear that case managers act as both advocates and guides. They communicate with treatment providers, manage appointments, and monitor the patient’s progress to make sure each part of the plan works together. By understanding a patient’s history, family dynamics, and personal goals, case managers help individuals in recovery stay supported and motivated throughout the healing process.

The Vital Role of Substance Abuse Case Managers

Substance Abuse case managers are at the heart of effective recovery support, offering personalized guidance and compassionate care to individuals overcoming addiction challenges. These professionals take on a multifaceted role, ensuring that every aspect of treatment – from medical care to behavioral therapies and aftercare – is meticulously coordinated. By fostering a sense of stability and understanding, case managers provide a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of addiction recovery, empowering them to make meaningful progress toward lasting change.

Through addiction recovery case management services, case managers become advocates for their clients, tailoring treatment plans to address unique needs. They connect individuals with essential programs, manage schedules, and provide ongoing encouragement, helping to ease the burden of recovery. Rehab case managers also serve as a vital bridge between patients, families, and treatment providers, promoting communication and a unified approach to care. Continue reading to understand how these professionals bring clarity and hope to the recovery process, and how their support can make all the difference in achieving sobriety.

What Does A Case Manager Do?

Case managers begin their efforts before treatment begins for a patient. They coordinate the process by guiding patients through the admissions process, assessments, and initial setup of the treatment plan. In each case, the needs are different with case management in addiction treatment.

It can be a security source for patients, their families, and the treatment team to receive communications and appointment schedules understanding and compassionately. Throughout the treatment process, the addiction case manager coordinates continuing care needs. In aftercare, the manager can facilitate sober living arrangements as a knowledgeable case manager is familiar with an endless list of resources.

Case management in addiction treatment is an invaluable source of relief for families who want to know about milestones, accomplishments, and the continual progress of recovery. Therefore, case managers are a source of peace for everyone involved with the patient receiving addiction treatment services.

Why Patients Use Case Management During Addiction Treatment

Because many patients in an addiction treatment facility have co-occurring mental health disorders and physical conditions that need additional treatment, increasing numbers of people are incorporating case managers to coordinate care.

How common are these dilemmas occurring? In 2019 SAMHSA reported that with 9.5 million adults with a substance use disorder, 3.6 million had a mental health disorder. Comorbid physical illnesses are heart disease, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS are the most common, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2020.

Case management in addiction treatment works to achieve a better chance of successful recovery, continued sobriety, and a source of support throughout future endeavors for the patient. With various needs to coordinate, including medication regimens, case managers have experience with the big picture of addiction treatment and re-establishing the patient’s well-being.

Benefits of Using Case Management During Addiction Treatment

The following benefits of case management may identify issues most people need to think of during the initial stages of seeking treatment:

Identifying the needs of those seeking recovery: There is no one size fits all recovery process. Each treatment plan is an individual journey. Addiction case managers learn about the patient first, identify their individual needs, then apply their expertise to address needs with available services.
Brings new lifestyle tools and support to patients: Those in recovery have goals of living a sober lifestyle healthily and positively moving forward from treatment. Case managers familiar with the patient’s needs gauge what tools and skills to concentrate on for each patient.
Case managers coordinate care for all needs: As mentioned before, substance use disorders are only one point of care in treatment. Mental and physical treatments are a big part of the overall treatment plan for total success in recovery. Case managers can coordinate appointments, therapies, and medication management when needed.
Bringing valuable experience to the table: Case managers work with those in addiction treatment with many needs. The ability to support and encourage using compassion and understanding helps avoid common obstacles in recovery. Above all, most case managers use an as-needed approach, slowly withdrawing the level of support, and the patient gains strength and self-confidence.

Discover How Case Managers Help Individuals in Recovery at FRC

Freeman Recovery Center offers a comprehensive range of addiction treatment programs, including luxury rehab, inpatient residential care, outpatient services, detox programs, and individualized therapy options. Each treatment plan is designed around the patient’s unique needs, with a focus on evidence-based practices and holistic healing. Our Tennessee facilities provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can rebuild their lives with confidence and dignity.

At Freeman Recovery Center, a dedicated substance abuse case manager plays a vital role in helping clients navigate each step of the recovery process. From coordinating medical and behavioral health services to managing aftercare and community resources, our case managers ensure that all aspects of treatment work together seamlessly. This hands-on approach exemplifies an effective example of case management in addiction recovery, offering structure, clarity, and ongoing support for every individual.

If you’ve been wondering what case management in mental health and addiction treatment truly involves, or how it can make recovery more manageable, our team is here to help. Case managers help individuals in recovery by advocating for their needs, organizing treatment plans, and guiding them toward long-term sobriety.

If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed about where to begin, reach out to Freeman Recovery Center in Tennessee. Our compassionate case management team is ready to connect you with the care and guidance you need for lasting recovery. Call us today to start your journey toward healing.