Opioid Epidemic

Over the years, addiction to opioids has become known as an epidemic throughout the country. Sadly, the deaths attributed to opioid use continues to grow on a yearly basis. Opioids including Vicodin and Percocet are highly addictive and are used regularly by doctors as a way to alleviate pain.  

The addiction experts at the Legacy Healing Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL commit themselves to provide you with the resources and counseling you need to understand and overcome your addiction. 

History of Opioid Addiction

Although the opioid epidemic did not take hold in the United States until the late 1990s, opioids were in high demand as far back as the 1800s. During the American Civil War, morphine was used regularly on the battlefield to provide injured soldiers with relief. Unfortunately, many of these soldiers returned home with an addiction to opioids. During that time, however, opioid addiction was not something that was tracked or monitored so it is impossible to know how many soldiers were impacted by addiction. 

Sadly, the danger associated with opioids did not come to light until much later. In the 1920s, doctors began to notice the addictiveness of opioids and began to shy away from prescribing opioids including heroin. This was only after the popular pharmaceutical company, Bayer, began to commercially market heroin in 1898. By 1924, the United States Congress passed the Anti-Heroin Act which prohibited the manufacturing and sale of the drug. 

Sadly, by the late 1900s, prescribing opioids specifically for pain relief was back in full effect. Today, doctors have reverted to their mindful and cautious approach of prescribing these types of narcotics, however, obtaining opioids through an illegal dealer is fairly easy.

When considering a stay in rehab, it’s essential that you do not overlook the importance of going through our detox program. Detox provides you with the opportunity to remove the influence of opioids from your body in a safe way. Within hours of the last time you used opioids, you will likely begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Although withdrawal symptoms are different for every person that is trying to recover from opioid addiction, examples of common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, sweating, and extreme fatigue. Patients may also experience psychological effects as well which can include increased anxiety and depression. 

It is never advisable to attempt to detox without the assistance of a trained medical professional. When you come to our facility for detox, you can rest assured that you will receive attention and care 24 hours a day for as long as you are detoxing.  We keep an alert eye out for any serious medical consequences and provide you with the care you need to manage anything that you are feeling. 

What Opioid Rehab is Like

Many prospective patients have the common misconception that a rehab facility is akin to a hospital lockdown unit. The reality is very different. Our facility is designed to exemplify the beauty of Florida with wide-open spaces and large windows that allow the warm Fort Lauderdale sunshine throughout the year. 

Another essential part of rehab is taking part in different forms of therapy. Our prescription drug rehab programs in Fort Lauderdale incorporate a variety of group sessions as well as individual therapy. This approach helps us work with you to determine the root cause of your addiction. 

Our counselors realize that opioid addiction does not only affect the substance abuser but also your family and loved ones. In tandem with your group and one on one therapy, we also offer family counseling which helps the people that you care about have a better understanding of your addiction. This type of counseling also helps your family express how they feel about your substance abuse in a neutral and safe atmosphere. 

How Long Does Rehab Last

The programs at our facility are designed in a way to cater to patients from all walks of life. This approach gives you the flexibility to decide on a number of different aspects of your recovery including the length of your stay at our facility as well as the type of program you enroll in. For example, we offer both inpatient and outpatient programs that last as few as 30 days and as long as 90 days. At any point, you can always opt to extend the duration of your treatment at any time. 

The professionals at the Legacy Healing Center strive to provide you with the encouragement and support you need to work through opioid addiction. We understand the severe consequences of this type of addiction and aspire to help our patients work through all aspects of your recovery. We encourage you to reach out to one of our intake specialists at any time to begin your journey toward sobriety. Please reach out to us today at (954) 994-2965. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sober Friendly Attractions in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Visiting sober friendly attractions around the Fort Lauderdale area is an excellent way to help you learn more about your likes and dislikes without the influence of opioids. Here are some of our suggestions for places to visit. 

One of the fantastic benefits of enrolling in a rehab program in Florida is that you are surrounded by an abundance of beautiful nature centers. The Anne Kolb Nature Center is a leading example of one of Florida’s enchanting outdoor locations. This park originally opened in 1996 and features a great mix of walking and biking paths as well as areas for fishing or picnics. 

The Anne Kolb Nature Center is located at 751 Sheridan Street in Hollywood. This venue is roughly a half-hour outside of Fort Lauderdale.  

Are you looking for fun and excitement? Be sure to add Xtreme Action Park to your list of places to visit. Xtreme Action Park is Fort Lauderdale’s largest indoor entertainment park. It features attractions including an indoor rope course, bowling lanes, and a half-mile go-kart track. This venue is opened seven days a week starting at 11 AM and stays open until as late as midnight on Friday and Saturday. 

You can visit the Xtreme Action Park at 5300 Powerline Road.