Opioid Treatment
Opioids, also called opiates, are a type of drug most commonly used to treat pain. Less commonly, opioids may be used to treat diarrhea or coughing. Since the 1990s, opioid usage has become more widespread. The increase in opioid use and the danger that comes with it is known as the opioid epidemic or the opioid crisis.
Villa Oasis San Diego wants to do its part in combating opioid addiction. We’re prepared to help you or your loved ones through recovering from opioids with our individiualized treatment programs.
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a broad group of drugs. Typically, opioids are made through the processing of poppy flowers. Sometimes, however, opioids are produced in laboratory settings without the use of poppies.
Some opioids, such as codeine, dihydrocodeine, and loperamide, are available over the counter in medications such as Tylenol or Imodium. Other opioids are prescription-only, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, or fentanyl. Finally, some opioids, such as heroin, are completely illegal. Regardless of the type of opioid, all opioids can be misused, and all have the potential to be addictive.
When misused, opioids are typically taken in their standard form as pills. In addition, opioids can also be snorted or injected.
Effects of Opioids
Opioids’ primary effect is pain release and happiness. In addition, opioids may have other effects, including:
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Drowsiness or sleepiness
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Constipation
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Feelings of euphoria
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Slowed breathing
Opioid Use and Hypoxia
All opioids are known to cause slowed breathing, also referred to as “respiratory depression.” Slowed breathing results in lower oxygen levels throughout the body, which is called hypoxia. Hypoxia is a highly dangerous condition that can cause a rapid heart rate, hyperventilation, confusion, sweating, and more. It may be recognizable to others by changes in skin color, often red, purple, or blue.
When severe enough, hypoxia can result in death. As such, opioids can be especially dangerous drugs. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of hypoxia, it is vital to reach out to emergency medical services as soon as possible. In addition, due to the dangerous nature of hypoxia, people experiencing any level of addiction to opioids should seek medical care and support in treatment.
Dangers of Opioid Addiction
When someone becomes addicted to opioids, they are typically diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD), a type of substance use disorder (SUD). Three million U.S. citizens have experienced OUD or currently have OUD. Of those, 500,000 individuals are addicted to heroin, a type of opioid.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Symptoms of OUD are similar to those of other SUDs. Symptoms of OUD include the following:
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Increased tolerance to opioids
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Intense desires and repeated thoughts about using opioids
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Prioritizing opioid use over other (often important) elements of life
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Using opioids in dangerous situations
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Withdrawal symptoms when opioid use halts
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Using opioids despite negative effects
Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal occurs when an individual who is addicted to opioids stops using the drug for an extended time. Opioid withdrawal symptoms can range from unpleasant to severe and painful and may make recovery more complex. Common symptoms of withdrawal include:
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Uncontrollable crying or eye-watering
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Runny nose
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“Goosebumps” on the skin's surface
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Aches and pains in muscles
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Nausea and vomiting
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Sensitivity to bright lights
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Excessive yawning
Withdrawal may also result in physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as hyperventilation, sweating, or twitching. These symptoms are known as autonomic hyperactivity.
How to Treat Opioid Addiction
While opioid addiction can be scary and feel inescapable, it is treatable. Decades of research have resulted in effective treatments, including both behavioral treatments and medication-based treatments. Medication-based treatments are usually performed at the same time as other treatments and are known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Addiction Treatment at Villa Oasis San Diego
No one should deal with OUD alone. Villa Oasis San Diego, located in beautiful San Diego, California, offers high-end, quality, and personalized treatment for those with OUD or other SUDs. Our center provides only six beds and a two-to-one staff ratio. As a result, all of our residents get the full attention they need and deserve. Most residents stay between 30 and 45 days, although the length of stay depends on the needs and circumstances of each resident.
Our Philosophy
We know that finding a good rehab center can be challenging. Most centers are overbooked, with staff struggling to meet the needs of those in their care. With so many people in the programs, there’s rarely the time or ability to learn about each person’s life, needs, and skills.
At Villa Oasis, meeting each person as they are is our priority. When a resident enters our program, they meet with staff to personally plan their treatment. Residents at Villa Oasis stay in a space where they are welcomed as their whole person, get to know others on a deep level, and learn effective strategies for their best lives.
Find Help in San Diego at Villa Oasis
For each individual to receive the care that best suits their individual lives, they must be able to have access to a variety of therapies and treatment options. After all, “one size fits all” has never been true, not for clothes and certainly not for treatment. At Villa Oasis, we offer a broad range of therapy and treatment options for our residents, including:
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Adventure therapy
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Art therapy
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
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Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
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Equine therapy
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Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
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Music therapy
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Relapse prevention
This is just a sampling of our treatment options. All residents have access to even more treatment options and methods of recovery.
Recovering in Comfort
Our residents should be focused on their recovery, not on discomfort. Let Villa Oasis take care of you. While in our program, residents are treated to daily meals from our on-site personal chef, a high-end pool to swim and relax in, and even an on-site movie theater.
