Every year in the United States, more than 200,000 people suffer through an opioid overdose. Sadly, some of these overdoses are fatal. In many cases, an overdose is a critical warning sign that something has to change. Here’s the best course of action after an opioid overdose.
Get Immediate Medical Attention for an Opioid Overdose
The first step after an overdose in nonnegotiable: get medical attention. An overdose has the potential to be deadly. Even if you or your loved one makes it through an overdose, don’t put health at risk for one more second.
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Opioid use could be impacting your respiratory system or your cardiac function. Plus, medical professionals can administer medications that prevent an overdose from worsening.
Ultimately, you’ll want to seek out help for your addiction. Before that ever happens, however, just get emergency medical care. Far too many people avoid calling 911 or visiting a hospital because they’re worried about the legal consequences of drug use. It’s far more important to stay alive than to worry about those details.
Acknowledge the Opioid Addiction
Once the immediate medical threat of an overdose is gone, it’s time to start thinking about opioid abuse in your life. Acknowledging an addiction can be challenging. It can be just as difficult to spot an opioid addiction in a loved one.
After an opioid overdose, there’s no need to question the existence of an addiction. There’s no need to look for signs and symptoms. If opioid abuse gets to the point of overdose, then it’s time to recognize that there’s a serious problem afoot.
Commit to Sobriety
Only after acknowledging the opioid addiction can a person commit to sobriety. After an overdose, drug users often decide to cut back on consumption. They rationalize their behavior and start to postpone recovery. This is a dangerous course of action. After an overdose, you can’t safely use opioids. Moderation isn’t an option, nor is recreational use. As an addict, it’s important to make sobriety your ultimate goal.
It’s a challenge to overcome an opioid addiction, even if you are healthy and have lots of support. Trying to do it alone is unsafe and simply too risky. You’ll need professional care and resources to successfully navigate recovery and live the life you deserve.
Complete an Opioid Detox
Detox is an important part of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. This is when opioid users end consumption altogether. During detox, withdrawal symptoms are likely. That’s why medical supervision is such a high priority.
Some of the most common opioid withdrawal symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, sweating, dehydration, and anxiety. Fortunately, detox typically takes less than one week. Once it’s over, your most basic physical and chemical ties to opiates will be severed.
Enroll in an Opioid Addiction Treatment Program
Detox is just the very first step in drug addiction treatment. After that, Clients can move to rehab treatment programs. At Serenity Lodge in California, men can embark on their personal journeys to recovery.
Overcoming an opioid addiction takes a lot of work and commitment. At Serenity Lodge, Clients will have access to a range of treatment methods and resources. Just a handful will include the following:
- 12-Step program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- Relapse prevention
After an opioid overdose, getting help should be priority number one. At Serenity Lodge in California, you can get on track to the sober life you dream of. Call (855) 932-4045 to begin your recovery right away.
