The United States continues to see a high incidence of opioid use, abuse, and addiction, including overdose and death. Opioid addiction treatment is the best way to address dependence on any drug in the opioid family, from heroin and other opiates derived from the opium poppy to synthetics like Oxy or fentanyl. If you’re concerned about opioid abuse—yours or that of someone you love—call The Right Step Houston today to get the support you deserve.
At The Right Step Houston, our opioid addiction treatment program provides evidence-based therapies in a safe setting. Trained, experienced therapists and counselors, physicians, and addiction specialists guide you from intake to discharge through withdrawal and treatments that’ll prepare you with the skills you need for life after rehab. Don’t wait—call 1.844.768.0169 to speak to one of our staff today.
Starting with Detox
The first step in addiction treatment is to withdraw from the substance you’re dependent on completely. A medically supervised detox program ensures you’re safe and that you end the process with no trace of opioids left in your system.
How long do opioids stay in your system? Short-acting opioids—such as heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone—may no longer be detectable in urine after 72 hours. However, it may take a few more days to leave your system entirely. Longer-acting opioids, like methadone and buprenorphine, typically take about a week to become undetectable in urine. However, most detox centers allow an extra day or two before proceeding with the next steps of rehab. Fentanyl is the most challenging opioid to eliminate from the body, as it can take weeks before it’s undetectable or considered cleared from someone’s system.
The other important factors in determining how long opioids stay in your system include:
- How much you used daily
- How you took the drug—pills, injection, snorting, smoking
- Your overall health and how well your liver and kidneys can process elimination
When you call The Right Step Houston to find out how to get started on your recovery, we can discuss detox, treatments for opioid abuse, and the timeline for the first steps.
What Happens After Detox?
Even though opioids are out of your system, physical cravings can persist, though they’re typically much less intense than during withdrawal. Psychological cravings can continue for a long time unless addressed. Getting to a place where you no longer crave opioids is where evidence-based therapeutic interventions enter the picture.
Your intake team considers several factors when recommending inpatient or outpatient rehab, but once you enroll in a treatment program, you begin post-detox recovery.
At The Right Step Houston, your daily rehab schedule is likely to include:
- Individual therapy – You’ll work one-on-one with a therapist using an evidence-based treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Group therapy – Also, with a trained professional therapist, this involves a group that offers mutual accountability and support to encourage growth and healing.
- Peer support – Support meetings are non-therapeutic in that they don’t involve a clinician but have been proven effective in improving rehab outcomes.
- Family counseling – The relationships between someone struggling with opioid abuse and their family and close friends can become seriously damaged. Family therapy facilitates healing in a safe setting under the guidance of a trained provider.
- Experiential therapy – Music or art therapy supports the healing process for those with a substance use disorder (SUD).
A healthy recovery includes good nutrition, exercise, social interaction, and a sense of purpose. It can also benefit from mindfulness practices such as meditation and keeping a journal to promote self-awareness. When you’re under our care at The Right Step Houston, we’ll support all parts of you during your journey.
Call The Right Step Houston Today to Begin Opioid Addiction Treatment
The Right Step Houston offers the help you need. Our expert staff is highly trained and caring. We’ve been providing evidence-based addiction treatment for 35 years and are proud of our history and record.
Reach out today by calling 1.844.768.0169 or completing our online form. We look forward to helping you successfully navigate rehab and begin a life free of opioids.