Mesa, Arizona’s Preferred Heroin & Opioid Addiction Hospital

A person who has developed an opioid addiction may experience a wide range of symptoms. 

Possible warning signs that someone may be struggling with an addiction to opioids include: 

• Visiting several doctors in an attempt to get multiple prescriptions for painkillers  
• Trying to borrow or steal painkillers that have been prescribed to someone else 
• Losing a significant amount of weight 
• Always wearing long sleeves and long pants, even in hot weather, to try to hide evidence that they’ve been injecting opioids intravenously  
• Dramatic changes in mood 
• Slurred speech  
• Constant drowsiness or lack of energy 
• Paranoia 

Other symptoms of opioid addiction include: 

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing 
• Dry mouth 
• Constipation 
• Itchiness 
• Impaired balance or coordination 
• Dizziness 

Anyone who experiences symptoms of an opioid addiction needs help. With the right type and level of care at a reputable inpatient opioid addiction treatment center like Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, a person can learn how to gain control of their compulsion to use opioids and achieve long-term recovery. 

The following statistics about opioid use and opioid addiction in the United States in 2021 are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):  

• More than 75% of deaths resulting from drug overdose involved opioids. 
• Opioid overdoses led to the death of more than 80,000 people. 
• A reported 220 people died each day from an opioid overdose. 

Needless to say, having an opioid addiction can put your life at risk. This is why it’s important to seek professional care at an inpatient treatment center like Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital as quickly as possible. 

The effects of opioid use can include physical, psychological, and social damage. When a person develops an opioid addiction, their risk for experiencing continued negative effects increases considerably.  

Potential effects someone may experience as a result of abusing opioids include: 

• Liver, kidney, and lung damage 
• Increased risk for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other diseases 
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Onset or worsening of mental health disorders 
• Academic setbacks  
• Job loss 
• Unemployment 
• Being arrested and jailed 
• Loss of relationships with family members and friends 
• Financial problems 
• Homelessness 
• Overdose  

Anyone who experiences the effects of opioid use may be in serious danger. But when you get the care you need at our opioid addiction treatment center in Mesa, Arizona, you can heal from past effects of opioid use and reduce your risk for continued damage.  

Opioid withdrawal can involve several distressing symptoms. When a person tries to end their opioid use on their own, the intensity of opioid withdrawal symptoms can push them deeper into the downward spiral of opioid addiction. 

Common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include: 

• Extreme cravings for opioids 
• Watery eyes and runny nose 
• Headaches 
• Insomnia 
• Increased heart rate 
• Sweating  
• Chills 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting and diarrhea 
• Severe abdominal cramps 
• Pain in muscles and bones 
• Tics, tremors, or shaking 
• Agitation and irritability 

One of the benefits of receiving care at our opioid addiction treatment center in Mesa is that we provide on-site detoxification services, which can help ease distressing symptoms as patients go through the withdrawal process.  

Your opioid addiction treatment at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital will be customized according to your specific needs. When you first come to our inpatient hospital, you will complete an assessment with a member of our team so that we can learn about your history of substance use, your medical history, and the symptoms you’re currently experiencing. Based on the results of that assessment, we will create an individualized treatment plan that will outline what you can expect to happen during your time in our care. 

A patient’s personalized opioid addiction treatment plan may include: 

• Detoxification services: If someone comes to our inpatient treatment center with opioids in their system, they may need to receive detox services as the first step in their treatment process. Our medical detox services are offered on-site, and patients have the opportunity to participate in other therapeutic aspects of treatment, like group therapy, if they are able to. While in detox, patients work with addictionologists and medical doctors who monitor them closely to ensure that they remain safe and as comfortable as possible. Some patients may benefit from taking Suboxone as part of their opioid addiction treatment. In those cases, they receive a prescription for the medication while in detox. Patients typically stay in detox for seven to 10 days, but that length of time can vary depending on each person’s specific needs. 
• Basic medical care: We have patients complete a medical assessment at the time of their admission to our hospital so that we can determine if they have any medical needs that need to be addressed. Our team of physicians and nurses meets with patients when necessary to care for minor medical concerns, but if a patient needs more intensive medical care, we will refer them to an outside medical care provider. 
• Medication management services: If a patient needs to have medication included in their individualized treatment plan, they meet with registered nurses and licensed practical nurses for medication management services. These nurses distribute the appropriate medication and monitor the effectiveness to ensure that patients are benefiting from taking the medication. 
• Group therapy: At our inpatient opioid addiction treatment center, group therapy is the main method of treatment patients participate in. There are approximately four group therapy sessions held each day, and they are led by highly experienced clinicians, including licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. During these group therapy sessions, patients may have a chance to discuss topics like goal setting, relapse prevention, life skills, and coping skills. Additionally, these sessions can be a great time for patients to work with other individuals who may have had similar life experiences and may be experiencing similar challenges. This can help remove the sense of isolation that often comes with addiction and allow patients to encourage and receive support from their peers. 

At our inpatient opioid addiction treatment center in Mesa, Arizona, our team is comprised of experienced professionals who have been trained in different areas of healthcare. These professionals include: 

• Psychiatrists 
• Addictionologists 
• Medical doctors 
• Licensed professional counselors 
• Licensed clinical social workers 
• Registered nurses 
• Licensed practical nurses 
• Nurse practitioners 
• Behavioral health specialists 

By working with a team that has such diverse experience, patients have a chance to receive well-rounded care that can address all the concerns they are struggling with. 

During opioid addiction treatment, you can identify your triggers, which are the experiences that could push you back to opioid use. You can also develop strategies for avoiding triggers when possible and dealing with them in a healthy way when they cannot be avoided.  

If you have a relapse after completing opioid addiction treatment, you’ll be prepared to advocate on your own behalf and access the help you need. Depending on your specific circumstances, sources of help after an opioid addiction relapse may include additional support group meetings, extra sessions with a professional, or returning to an opioid addiction treatment center.

Opioid addiction treatment won’t eliminate life’s challenges and obstacles, but it will prepare you to deal with these difficulties in a way that will protect your health and ensure that you continue to progress toward long-term recovery from opioid addiction.  

When you’re looking for an opioid addiction treatment center, it can seem overwhelming to know how to decide which one will be best for you or your loved one. Many times, inpatient treatment can be the best starting point, especially when you need detox services. But there are a number of questions you can ask when you contact various treatment centers to help you make the best decision. These questions may include: 

• What types of programming options are available? 
• What professionals provide care at the treatment center? 
• How long will I likely have to be in treatment? 
• Where will I stay while I’m in treatment? 
• Will I be given a customized treatment plan that is tailored to my needs specifically? 
• What treatment methods are used, and how do they help with addiction? 

At our Mesa, Arizona, inpatient opioid addiction treatment center, we are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you may have about our programming or about opioid addiction treatment in general. We strive to help every adolescent and adult get the treatment they need so that they can be successful on their recovery journey. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital.