- The Benefit of Hydrocodone Relapse Prevention (RP)
- Hydrocodone Abuse is a Chronic Condition
- Continuing Care Options
- Supporting Family and Friends With Hydrocodone Recovery
Is Hydrocodone Rehab Aftercare Necessary?
Repeated use of hydrocodone precipitates acute withdrawal symptoms once use is stopped. Many of the symptoms continue far longer than the typical 10-day acute phase and put you at increased risk of relapse. Aftercare recognizes this and builds on the accomplishments of the formal treatment program for a long period after treatment/rehab is completed.
Aftercare for hydrocodone dependence is critical. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a consequence of changes to the brain chemistry resulting from a sustained period of hydrocodone abuse and the attendant stress of trying to cope with life without the aid of hydrocodone.
While treatment provides excellent resources to help you build skills and resilience to increase chances of sustained recovery, having a framework of recovery support services following the first phase of hydrocodone dependence treatment is strongly recommended, particularly to help navigate the high-risk period of 6 to 24 months after becoming abstinent.
Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health Needs
The Benefit of Hydrocodone Relapse Prevention (RP)
According to addiction treatment research, the likelihood of relapse after becoming abstinent from hydrocodone dependence is extremely high.
- Addictions to hydrocodone and other opioids can be particularly tenacious and reports indicate as much of an 85% chance of relapse at one year after stopping opioid use.
- RP is part of a continuum of care that must be engaged in completely to ensure that you are part of the 15% who do not relapse after treatment.
RP strategies are efficacious when utilized. Effective strategies include:
Learning to change behaviors associated with active addiction so that high-risk situations are appropriately and effectively dealt with or avoided. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) helps to deal with the 'clinging' nature of craving for the drug, showing significant reductions following treatment.Education:
Mindfulness:
Hydrocodone Abuse is a Chronic Condition
Continuing Care Options
The primary continuing care options for hydrocodone dependency includes:
Group counseling: Research has demonstrated that group counseling or therapy enhances the effectiveness of the "treatment as usual" program of recovery. Given the social stigma and isolation associated with drug addiction, group members with longer periods of recovery can act as models and as 'buddies' within and outside the group. More about group counseling is detailed below.
Self-help groups: These would include 12-step support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, and non-12 step counterparts such as SMART Recovery.
Individual therapy: This allows the therapist the flexibility to concentrate on issues as they arise for the individual, helps to maintain confidentiality with problems related to substance abuse, and does not involve admission to an ongoing group.
Medically Assisted Treatment: According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), medication maintenance and outpatient therapy is as useful as inpatient care for 95 percent of opioid-dependent patients.
Making the choice to engage in long-term aftercare recovery support services is often as much an indicator of the likelihood of successful recovery as is the specific type of therapy and counseling interventions selected.
Counseling Interventions / Group Therapy
12-Step Facilitation Treatment
Follow-up Medical Care
It is possible to treat recovering hydrocodone addicts with chronic pain issues with opioids. With addiction in remission, optimal functioning with appropriate opioid use can, in some instances, be accomplished in tandem with durable relapse prevention strategies and cognitive-behavioral intervention.
Sober Living / Therapeutic Community
Better coping strategies and decreased drug use have been seen in studies of "Sober Living" communities through supportive relationships, life-skills training and attendance at 12-step meetings. Addicts with a very high intensity of addiction and related issues, who need to learn new lifestyles and avoid antisocial activities, have been treated very successfully in TC environments, reducing drug use and criminal activity, while promoting work skills and prosocial activity.
Contingency Management
Supporting Family and Friends With Hydrocodone Recovery
Having a family member or friend caught in the agonizing grip of addiction is extremely difficult. The natural tendency is to want to take action to help or even force the addict to stop. Remember, no one can help an addict stop using hydrocodone until they are ready to stop for their own personal motivations.
- Does the treatment program use evidence-based practices?
- Are all the institutional licenses and medical staff credentials up to date?
- Are the treatment center success rates available for review?
- Does your loved one share the treatment philosophy of the treatment center?
- Do they provide a comprehensive aftercare program that fits your loved one's specific needs?
The strongest recommendation that 12-step groups have for friends and family of anyone with substance dependence is to ensure your own positive life journey. This is the best gift you can give to your loved one struggling with hydrocodone addiction.
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