Question and answer facts, information about Heroin Addiction Treatment in Kelowna, British Columbia at Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, BC

Is heroin addiction really a big problem?

In the United States alone, approximately half a million people are addicted to heroin. Worldwide, addiction to this drug affects almost ten million people. United States Center for Disease Control statistics indicate that 150,000 more people become addicted to the drug annually. Among people seeking treatment for drug addiction, approximately twenty percent are addicted to heroin. Of people who die from drug overdose, fully half are attributed to morphine or heroin overdose. Although the statistics are astonishing, there is really not much being done in the way of education and intervention regarding heroin addiction.

Why do people start using heroin in the first place?

Most people who become addicted to heroin recount that they began with abuse of prescription medications. Most have had opiate pain killers prescribed for an injury and simply sought non-prescription sources after the prescription medication was no longer available. Some sources include online purchases and street drugs. Usually, people who have become addicted to opiate pain killers transition to taking heroin because it is widely available and relatively affordable.

What treatments are available to treat heroin addiction?

People who are struggling to overcome heroin addiction have a number of treatment options available to them. These include:

1) Cognitive behavioral education
2) Behavioral education therapy
3) Buprenorphine therapy
4) Methadone therapy
5) Detox

Buprenorphine and methadone are just two of the pharmaceutical options available to people who are addicted to heroin. These drugs are opioid blockers. Methadone is a proven method of therapy that has been used for more than three decades. ,i>Buprenorphine is relatively new, having been in use for only ten years. Still, it has been used with good results, and in the United States there are about 4000 doctors who have received authorization to prescribe this treatment.

Does pharmaceutical treatment of heroin addiction always work?

Pharmaceutical treatment can work, but it is often advisable to use it in conjunction with behavioral therapy. This is a very effective way of teaching addicts new and preferable behaviors, choices and ways of making decisions. Every patient is different, so a cookie cutter approach to behavioral therapy can never work. Instead, the behaviorist must be sensitive to the needs of the client and tailor the behavior therapy in a way that will be motivating. When the client is motivated to change, grow and improve, behavioral therapy has very good chances for success. Some terms you may hear associated with this kind of therapy are cognitive behavioral education and contingency management.

What about detox?

This is thought of as the safest way to kick addiction to heroin. It is accomplished through medically supervised detox that often involves the use of intravenous therapy. When a person is in the process of drug withdrawal, he or she may experience a wide variety of painful symptoms. These symptoms can be quite dangerous, so it is never advisable for an addict to simply stop using heroin and go “cold turkey”. Withdrawal symptoms should be medically supervised and managed.

With medically supervised detoxification, the patient is kept relatively comfortable while accumulated toxins are flushed from the body. Upon completing detox, the patient should enter a rehabilitation program.

Is recovery really a lifelong process?

Yes! Unfortunately, addiction to anything leaves deep seated scars on the psyche. This is why it is very important that recovering addicts follow up detox and rehab with participation in a community program or 12-step type program. Social support is vital to ongoing sobriety. Additionally, community programs often offer assistance in finding a place to live (if necessary) finding a job and generally reintegrating into society.

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Heroin Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331