Drug overdoses, nearly two-thirds of them from prescription opioids, heroin and synthetic opioids, killed 64,000 Americans in 2016, over 20 percent more than in 2015. That is also more than double the number in 2005, and nearly quadruple the number in 2000, when accidental falls killed more Americans than opioid overdoses. Discovery is a leading substance abuse and mental health treatment center in the United States and works closely with clients who have a current or past history with opioid addiction. Discovery works diligently through the stages of detoxification, remission, and relapse by providing levels of care that vary from residential treatment to outpatient treatment. Providing the most accurate level of care can help the individual gain the best treatment available at the most affordable cost while preventing any potentially serious complications such as overdose or suicide. There are five different levels of care known as inpatient (IP), residential treatment care (RTC), partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) and outpatient care (OP) and these levels are ordered from the most intense level of care to least intense level care and are assigned due to the seriousness of the disorder at hand.

Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)

Using medication to treat substance use disorders is often referred to as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). In this model, medication is used in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. Medications can reduce the cravings and other symptoms associated with withdrawal from a substance by occupying receptors in the brain associated with using that drug (agonists or partial agonists) block the rewarding sensation that comes with using a substance (antagonists), or induce negative feelings when a substance is taken. MAT has been primarily used for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Discovery uses MAT to help curb cravings in order to alleviate the withdrawal side effects of opioids in addition to relapse prevention.

Recovery support services

Discovery also offers many ancillary recovery support services such as family therapy, peer support community groups, parenting education, volunteer and outreach opportunities and education about strategies to promote wellness and recovery. Family support and family therapy are one of the biggest treatment plans that have shown to be successful among individuals with a substance abuse disorder. After the individual successfully completed treatment at Center For Discovery, it is important they have a strong support system in their home environment in order to overcome future cravings and peer pressure.

Therapy approaches offered at Discovery

Medication management combined with therapy and a strong support system has been shown to have the highest success rates when treating individuals for an opioid addiction.

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches individuals in treatment to recognize and stop negative patterns of thinking and behavior. For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy might help a person be aware of the stressors, situations, and feelings that lead to substance use so that the person can avoid them or act differently when they occur.
  • Contingency management is designed to provide incentives to reinforce positive behaviors, such as remaining abstinent from substance use.
  • Motivational enhancement therapy helps people with substance use disorders to build motivation and commit to specific plans to engage in treatment and seek recovery. It is often used early in the process to engage people in treatment.