Opioid addiction is a serious problem in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 81,806 people died from an opioid overdose in 2022.[1]
When you have a substance use disorder like opioid addiction, you need to attend a professional addiction treatment center. While intensive outpatient programs can be effective, it is best to opt for residential treatment. Inpatient rehab is the most intensive treatment option and involves 24/7 support, monitoring, and evidence-based practices.
If you are considering attending an opioid rehab in Los Angeles County, you might be wondering what to expect. Opioid addiction treatment in Sherman Oaks includes in-depth assessments, medical detox, individual therapy, group counseling, and relapse prevention planning.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why rehab is necessary for overcoming opioid addiction
- How opioid rehab works in Sherman Oaks
- How opioid addiction treatment centers help you maintain long-term recovery
How Does a Sherman Oaks Opioid Rehab Program Work?
Substance abuse can be difficult to recover from, especially if you’re addicted to opioids. You’ll have to overcome withdrawal symptoms, and intense cravings while addressing the root causes of your drug addiction. Thankfully, drug rehab programs for opioid addiction provide you with the tools and support you need to begin your journey of recovery.
During a Sherman Oaks opioid addiction treatment program, you can expect:
In-Depth Assessment
When you arrive at an opioid addiction treatment program the first step is an in-depth assessment. Admissions counselors will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of opioid abuse. Your answers to these questions will affect the treatment plan created for you.
Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, Sherman Oaks rehab programs create individualized treatment plans. This means that the services and treatments you participate in will be based solely on your needs and goals for recovery.
Medical Detox
After your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. Because the withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction can be intense, you will receive medications like Suboxone or Methadone to keep you safe and comfortable. Additionally, your vital signs will be monitored consistently by healthcare professionals like nurses and doctors.
Over time, your dose of withdrawal medications will be lowered until you no longer need them. This is known as tapering. Tapering prevents you from experiencing severe symptoms while ensuring you do not become dependent on another substance.
Evidence-Based Therapies
The next step in opioid rehab is therapy. You will participate in both individual therapy and group counseling. Individual therapy helps you overcome the root causes of your addiction and address sensitive topics like trauma, while group counseling is intended to help you build communication skills, develop coping mechanisms, and create a community of support.
During individual and group counseling, evidence-based therapies will be used. This means the types of therapies you engage in are proven effective in managing drug and alcohol addiction. Examples of evidence-based therapies include:[2]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Contingency management (CM)
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- The matrix model
- Family behavior therapy
If you struggle with co-occurring disorders and mental health issues, therapy will be used to address those symptoms as well.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
While some people stop taking medications after they complete detox, this is not always the right move. To explain, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of opioid recovery technique that involves taking medications to lessen the severity of cravings. Sometimes, people stay on these medications long-term to prevent relapses from occurring in the future.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), MAT provides the following benefits:[3]
- Improved patient survival rates
- Increased retention in treatment
- Decreased illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increases patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improved birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
Before you complete your opioid addiction treatment program in Sherman Oaks, you will engage in relapse prevention planning. This process helps you identify triggers for relapse and develop coping mechanisms to prevent it.
A vital aspect of relapse prevention is aftercare. Examples of aftercare services offered during Los Angeles opioid rehab programs include:
- Continued therapy
- Medication management
- Access to alumni support groups
- Recommendations on local 12-step meetings
- Referrals to outpatient rehab or sober living programs
- Case management services like vocational training or legal assistance
Get Connected to Opioid Addiction Treatment in Sherman Oaks
If you or a loved one suffers from opioid addiction, you’ve come to the right place. At The Healthier Choice Recovery, we offer a combination of compassionate and evidence-based addiction treatment services. Whether you need medical detox and therapy or a more specialized approach to recovery like MAT, we can help you achieve long-term sobriety.
Contact us today to learn more about our opioid rehab program in Sherman Oaks.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures
- Science Direct: Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Medications for Substance Use Disorders


