Opioid use disorder
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Opioids are effective for pain and dangerously good at creating dependence. Treatment — detox, MAT, therapy — breaks the cycle that willpower alone rarely can.
About this condition
Opioid addiction
Opioids are a highly addictive class of drugs that includes heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. They bind to receptors in the brain and body to reduce pain — and produce a euphoria that drives misuse, addiction, and the overdose crisis.
Not everyone prescribed opioids develops an addiction, but the strength of these medications should not be underestimated. Nationally there is a glimmer of hope — opioid overdose deaths declined from 84,181 in 2022 to 81,083 in 2023 — and effective treatment is how that trend continues, one person at a time.
Opioid addiction treatment runs across Ambrosia's programs in West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Singer Island, Florida — medically supervised detox, residential care, outpatient treatment, and medication-assisted treatment under one clinical team.
Types of opioids
Prescription painkillers
Morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone — prescribed for moderate to severe pain, all habit-forming, all requiring careful monitoring.
Fentanyl
A synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Illicitly produced fentanyl is a major contributor to overdose deaths worldwide.
Heroin
An illegal opioid derived from morphine that quickly produces physical dependence, with severe health risks including overdose and death.
Signs and symptoms of opioid addiction
- Drowsiness, constricted pupils, and slurred speech
- Nausea, constipation, and itching or flushed skin
- Increased secrecy, isolation, or changes in social circles
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
- Doctor shopping to obtain more prescriptions
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms between uses: muscle aches, insomnia, agitation, sweating
Opioids and mental health
Opioids alter brain chemistry in ways that can cause or worsen depression and anxiety, and the stress, guilt, and isolation of addiction compound the damage. The connection runs both ways: people with mental health conditions may use opioids to self-medicate, which is how many dual-diagnosis cases begin.
Withdrawal itself is mentally taxing — anxiety, depression, and irritability can persist even after detox — which is why treating the addiction and the mental health condition together produces better outcomes than treating either alone.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis involves a physical exam, medical and family history, and a psychological evaluation against DSM-5 criteria. Treatment then moves through stages: medically supervised detox manages withdrawal safely and lays the foundation; residential treatment provides an immersive, structured environment with individual therapy, group counseling, and holistic care; outpatient treatment continues the work around everyday responsibilities.
Medication-assisted treatment is a cornerstone of opioid recovery — FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, combined with counseling and behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy targets the thought patterns and triggers behind use, and family therapy rebuilds the communication and trust that recovery depends on.
Ready to talk with admissions?
Admissions is available 24/7 to answer questions about mental health and substance use treatment options.