Understanding Opioid Addiction and Treatment in Florida

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a group of substances that attach to opioid receptors in the brain, providing pain relief, relaxation, and, at higher doses, intense euphoria.[2] This category includes prescription pain relievers like oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and codeine, and illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl, which is currently responsible for the majority of fatal overdoses related to opioid use in the US.[3]

The opioid crisis in Florida and across the country has unfolded in roughly three overlapping waves.[4] The first wave began during the late 1990s, with widespread prescriptions being given for pain management. The second wave occurred as prescribing became more restricted and people dependent on prescription pain relievers turned to heroin. The third wave is occurring now and is driven primarily by illicitly produced fentanyl, which is added to heroin, counterfeit pills, and other substances — often without the user’s knowledge — significantly increasing overdose risk across all types of opioids.[5]

Regardless of whether these substances were obtained through a legitimate prescription or not, they have one thing in common medically — their effect on the brain. Prolonged exposure to opioids alters the brain’s pain and pleasure systems so that users require increasing amounts to achieve the same level of pain relief or euphoria, which eventually leads to dependence.[6] When a person stops taking opioids, withdrawal symptoms can be severe enough to cause them to relapse just to alleviate those symptoms. This is not a lack of willpower; this is a medical disease, and it can be treated.

 

Opioid Addiction and Abuse

Someone can develop an opioid use disorder (OUD) due to a number of biological, psychological, and environmental reasons. Some start with prescribed pain medication after surgery or injury. Others discover opioids through family relationships or peer groups. Still others are self-medicating for underlying mental health issues or traumatic events in their lives. No matter how opioid use starts, once taken regularly, the result is always a brain and body that requires opioids to function normally and a lifestyle increasingly defined by that dependency.

People diagnosed with opioid use disorder commonly suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions as well. Chronic pain, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and traumatic history are frequently co-diagnosed with opioid use disorder and require simultaneous treatment.[7] Treatment focused solely on stopping opioid use while ignoring underlying issues will not lead to long-term recovery.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder

 

Recognizing the signs of an opioid use disorder is the first step towards getting help. 

Below are common signs:

Physical

• Pinpoint pupils
• Drowsiness or nodding off
• Slow breathing rate
• Slurred speech
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Frequent scratching or picking at the skin
• Possession of pill bottles or paraphernalia

Behavioral

• Secretive behavior
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities
• Financial difficulties
• Reduced productivity at work
• Doctor shopping
• Missing medications
• Mood swings

If you recognize these signs in yourself or someone you love, now is the time to get help. 

 

Most Effective Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Research supports combining medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with behavioral therapy and structured clinical care as an effective approach for treating opioid use disorder.[8] 

MAT uses FDA-approved medications — buprenorphine (usually as Suboxone), methadone (prescribed by licensed professionals), and naltrexone (oral or as the Vivitrol injection) — which reduce cravings, help avoid withdrawal, minimize the chances of overdose, and allow the brain’s reward system to stabilize while the person works on changing their behaviors through individualized therapy.

How effective is this treatment? Studies show that combining MAT with therapy leads to much better results than either method alone; MAT-based treatments have shown reduced opioid use, improved treatment retention rates, lower overdose death rates, and support long-term sustained recovery.[9] Treatments that do not include MAT produce less desirable outcomes on virtually all measurements. The evidence on this is overwhelming.

Forward Motion Health incorporates MAT into its men’s treatment program when clinically indicated, prescribed, and monitored by our medical team. While medication is a useful tool in treating opioid use disorder, it works best as part of a comprehensive plan.

Florida Opioid Addiction Treatment Options

The key component of effectively treating opioid addiction is a comprehensive plan that treats the entire person, not just the most obvious symptoms. If residential treatment is the right step for you, Forward Motion Health’s residential program offers a safe and supportive environment with 24-hour clinical support so you can focus on your recovery without any outside triggers and distractions.

Sometimes, medical detox is necessary to stabilize someone before any treatment can take place. If this is clinically necessary, we can coordinate placement for you with one of our trusted Florida-area detoxification partners. Once stabilized, we can transition you back to our care if inpatient treatment is your next step.

The cornerstone of opioid use disorder treatment is MAT. We provide FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), and coordinated methadone care in our program. Clients will also receive proven therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and EMDR, to address the underlying issues related to opioid use.