Top 5 Considerations to Make when Choosing Codeine Addiction Treatment

When you are choosing a codeine addiction treatment, there are many considerations you will need to make. However, there are five very important choices you need to make and discussions you will need to have before you find the treatment option that is best for you.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care

Before you choose a treatment plan, you will need to need to know what type of facility is best for you. Depending on your needs, either an inpatient or an outpatient center could be necessary.

In-patient and out-patient are two forms of codeine addiction treatment.

• Inpatient centers provide patients 24-hour care and a controlled environment for a specific amount of time so that patients can focus on their addictions and treatment. These types of facilities, according to a study from the NCBI, are usually best for patients who have “high psychiatric severity and/or a poor social support system.”
• Outpatient centers offer patients the same types of treatments but do not offer 24-hour care, meaning that a patient will attend treatment at the facility and then leave. Treatment can last for only an hour (if the patient is just receiving medication) or all day. Patients with “low psychiatric severity and/or a good social support system may do well as outpatients.”

Detox vs. No Detox

Many patients start their treatment with medically-assisted detox or “controlled and medically supervised withdrawal from the drug” (Harvard Medical School). You may feel that this could be beneficial to you or that you do not need it (perhaps if you are not currently dependent on codeine). Though medically-assisted detox is beneficial to many addicts, it is not a treatment for addiction and is not always necessary.

Medications

There are three main types of medications used to treat codeine addiction. They are:

• Methadone
• Naltrexone
• Buprenorphine

You may also decide that you want to attend treatment that is all natural or, in other words, drug-free. Knowing the side effects and difficulties you may encounter with this choice is important, and researching the different types of medications will help you make a decision with your doctor. Since you will likely encounter behavioral therapies in any treatment center, considering your medication options is very important.

Cost

According to SAMHSA, at least 76.3% of all substance abuse treatment facilities provide some kind of payment assistance. Knowing your budget and the cost of the facility may help you choose one that may be just as helpful as another but that won’t cost more than necessary. Keep yourself reminded of your limits with cost and do not choose a facility that is out of your price range.

Location

It is very important to consider the location of your chosen facility. If you want to attend outpatient treatment, ask yourself if the facility is close enough for you to visit every day. Ask yourself whether or not a facility that is far away may keep you from your support system. Considering the location of the facility will get you thinking about other important factors, including the comfort level you feel with the program and facility. Remember, you need to find treatment that is best for you, and your needs should all be reflected in the facility and program you choose.