Leah Miller

Opioids are a class of drugs that are derived from the opium poppy and includes both prescription medications and illicit drugs.1 Opioid have a high potential for abuse and addiction, possibly leading to serious medical concerns.1, 2 Long-term use of opioids, even when taken under the supervision of a medical professional, can potentially lead to physical dependence and as a result, withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped or greatly reduced. Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to overcome without having a support network in place. Luckily, opioid detox and treatment programs can be effective at helping individuals achieve and maintain recovery. Understanding more about opioid withdrawal and treatment can be a good first step to take on your journey towards recovery. What Are Opioids? Opioids are primarily prescribed to manage acute moderate to severe pain associated with traumatic injuries and surgery and chronic pain associated with cancer and end of life care.1 Some common prescription opioids include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet).1 Other opioids are illegal in the United States, and include drugs such as opium or heroin.1 Misusing prescription opioids involves taking them differently than prescribed, taking medications that aren’t prescribed, or using prescribed medications to get high rather than their intended purpose.1 Opioid misuse can increase the risk of developing dependence, and/or addiction.1 Since opioids activate areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward while interrupting pain signals between the body and brain, they can lead to feelings of euphoria and relaxation which reinforce the desire to continue using.1 Over time, the brain and body become reliant on opioids to function, resulting in uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if use is stopped.1, 2 [accordion title="Other Types of Narcotics"] Kadian Lorcet Lortab Methadone Norco Opiates Oramorph Tramadol [/accordion] What Causes Opioid Withdrawal? Dependence is a physiological adaptation of the body to a substance, wherein the body becomes so used to the drug being present in the system that when the individual cuts back on their use or quits, withdrawal symptoms emerge. With significant levels of physiological dependence, a person may continue to compulsively drink or use drugs to avoid unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Over time, consistent use of opioids can lead to physical dependence.1 Since opioids cause a release of certain chemicals, the brain naturally produces less of these neurotransmitters to compensate.3, 4 them and will experience painful and distressing withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back or stop using.1, 3 Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms When a person who is dependent on opioids tries to stop using, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.1, 6 These symptoms can make it very difficult to stop using.1 Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include: Anxiety.2, 6 Depressed mood.6 Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.1, 2, 6 Difficulty sleeping.1, 2, 6  Dilated pupils.2, 6  Greater sensitivity to painful stimuli.6 Increased pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and breathing rate.2, 6 Irritability.6 Intense muscle and bone pain.1, 2, 6 Strong urges to use opioids.1 Sweating.2, 6 Tearing eyes and runny nose.2, 6 Treatment of Opioid Withdrawal and Addiction It can be very challenging to deal with opioid addiction and go through withdrawal, but effective treatment does exist. The recovery process commonly starts with medical detox, where medication is provided to ease the symptoms of withdrawal while you are supervised around the clock to ensure that you are safe and comfortable as you wean opioids from your system.2, 7 Once you finish detoxing, staff will help you transition to formal addiction treatment, where you will be able to learn the skills needed to stay sober.7  This can take place at an inpatient or outpatient facility, or some combination of both, depending on your unique needs.7 At inpatient programs, you stay at the facility for the duration of treatment, while at outpatient programs, you live at home and follow a normal routine while attending scheduled treatment appointments at a clinic.7  Effective treatment should be tailored to your specific needs, including your physical and mental health, as well as any employment, social, or legal issues that you may have.7 Once you are in addiction treatment, you will attend group and individual behavioral therapy sessions regularly.7 Behavioral therapy will help you: Change your thoughts and behaviors regarding opioids and other substances Increase your motivation to stay sober and remain in treatment Develop coping skills to deal with stressors Manage triggers associated with opioid use Improve your relationships with the people around you. Medications can be used to reduce cravings and lessen the likelihood of relapse.7, 8 [vob-aktify-cta title="American Addiction Centers accepts many types of insurance" subtitle="Check your coverage online or text us your questions for more information"] Rehab for Opioid Addiction Once you have successfully completed detox, attending a treatment program can be highly beneficial as long-term treatment addresses the underlying issues associated with opioid addiction.7 While detox or withdrawal is the first step on the road to recovery, it doesn’t address the underlying factors that contribute to addiction; it just helps to remove substances from your body.7 Attending inpatient or outpatient rehab can allow you to receive behavioral therapy in both individual and group settings, as well as family therapy, maintenance medication, and other services if needed.1, 7 Staying on maintenance medications during recovery can help your brain chemistry rebalance as you adjust to a sober lifestyle.9 As the leading provider of addiction treatment in the United States, American Addiction Centers (AAC) may be able to help you overcome opioid addiction. If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, contact one of our knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigators at [phone] to learn more about how we can help you, and answer any questions you may have about treatment and recovery. [accordion title="Rehab at American Addiction Centers"] Laguna Treatment Hospital Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab insurance coverage"] Ambetter American Family Beacon BHO Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Connecticare Geisinger HCSC Harvard Pilgrim Highmark Kaiser Permanente Magellan Magnacare Meritain Health Medicare and Medicaid Optum Oxford Health Providence Qualcare Sierra Health Tricare Triwest Tufts United Healthcare UPMC Zelis [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab near me"] Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab"] Choosing a rehab center Couples rehab Court ordered rehab COVID-19 and rehab Dual-diagnosis rehab Deciding you need rehab Helping a loved one go to rehab Preparing for rehab Relapse prevention State-funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab [/accordion][accordion title="Detox"] 24/7 detox hotlines Inpatient detox Outpatient detox Dangers of detoxing at home The cost of detox [/accordion]   [sources] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June). Prescription opioids DrugFacts. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). Detoxification and substance abuse treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Gupta, M., Gokarakonda, S.B., & Attia, F.N. (2022). Withdrawal syndromes. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, June). Understanding drug use and addiction DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, June). Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, January). Principles of drug addiction treatment (Third edition). American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2016). Opioid addiction treatment: A guide for patients, families and friends. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016, November). Effective treatments for opioid addiction. [/sources] ...

Heroin is an illicit opioid narcotic with a high potential for misuse and addiction.1 According to a 2020 survey of Americans aged 12 and older, more than 900,000 people reported using heroin in the last year.2 There were nearly 700,000 people who had a heroin use disorder in 2020.2 Many who use heroin but seek recovery may face a significant hurdle in heroin withdrawal. The symptoms of heroin withdrawal can be incredibly uncomfortable which, left unmanaged, could lead people to heroin relapse. Luckily, comprehensive medical detox programs exist and can be effective in helping individuals make it through heroin withdrawal and continue forward with their treatment and recovery efforts. What is Heroin? Heroin is derived from morphine, an opiate alkaloid substance which is extracted from the opium poppy plant.1 Heroin was first synthesized in 1874 and by the end of the century was being promoted as a safe alternative to aspirin, as well as a cough suppressant and non-addictive replacement for morphine.3 However, once the addictive properties of heroin were realized, its sale and distribution started to become more regulated. By 1924, the manufacturing, importation, and sale of heroin became strictly prohibited in the United States.3 Today we know that heroin, and opioids in general, are highly addictive drugs.1, 4 Heroin is a fast-acting drug that activates opioid receptors throughout the brain and body to modify pain sensations. However, this same opioid receptor activity is also associated with a rewarding, pleasurable sensation and certain physiological changes that can impact breathing and heart rate.1 Consistent opioid use can lead to tolerance, where you need to use increasingly large amounts of heroin to feel its effects.1 Regular heroin use can also lead to dependence and an intensely unpleasant withdrawal syndrome if you stop using it.4 Over time, the use of heroin or other opioids can make the development of an opioid use disorder (OUD) more likely. OUD is the clinical diagnosis for opioid addiction—a condition characterized by an inability to control the use of a drug like heroin despite significant opioid-related problems to result from such use, including the phenomena of dependence and withdrawal.5, 6 Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms Heroin withdrawal symptoms can vary between individuals. Factors which influence the character and severity of withdrawal symptoms include how long one has used heroin, the average amount of heroin used, and the frequency of heroin use.4 Possible symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:1,4,6 Dysphoric mood. Difficulty sleeping. Restlessness. Involuntary leg motions. Muscle spasms. Bone and muscle pain. Gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dilated pupils. Fever. Sweating. Chills and goosebumps. Tearing eyes. Runny nose. Increased pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Strong cravings for heroin. Heroin Detox Heroin detox programs can help people manage withdrawal safely and comfortably, as opposed to undergoing heroin detox at home. As part of a medical detox protocol for heroin withdrawal management, medications may be administered to help mitigate unpleasant symptoms and cravings.5, 7 In an inpatient detox setting, staff may monitor withdrawal progress throughout the day and be able to identify and promptly address any potential complications that may arise, such as dehydration.4 It can be extremely difficult to stop using heroin on your own. Receiving the appropriate care and support with supervised detox and medical withdrawal management can make it easier to begin the journey toward sobriety. Though important, detox is only the first step toward recovery and does not constitute addiction treatment in its entirety. Once you are fully detoxed, it is important to continue treatment at either an inpatient or outpatient rehab, where you will receive counseling and learn the necessary skills to maintain sobriety.5, 7 Professional detox programs can help pave the way for more comprehensive rehabilitation efforts once the acute heroin withdrawal period has been successfully managed.4,7 [vob-aktify-cta title="American Addiction Centers accepts many types of insurance" subtitle="Check your coverage online or text us your questions for more information"] Treatment for Heroin Addiction and Withdrawal For many, medical detox is an important first step towards recovery from heroin addiction and one that sets the stage for additional, more comprehensive rehabilitation efforts.5 After successful detox and withdrawal management, heroin addiction treatment can include inpatient or outpatient care, where you will receive group and individual behavioral therapy as well as support and monitoring, as well as maintenance medication, or psychiatric care if needed.1, 5 Some people stay on maintenance medications such as buprenorphine or methadone for relatively short periods at the start of recovery, while others stay on them for several months to years, as needed.8, 9 The type of treatment you receive should be tailored to meet your recovery needs.1, 7 It can be overwhelming to search for programs that offer detox and treatment for heroin addiction, but there are resources available that can make this process easier. Addiction helplines are just a phone call away. American Addiction Centers (AAC) has a helpline that you can access 24/7 at [phone] and speak to an admissions navigator who can answer any questions you may have. They can share information about heroin detox treatment, assist you in finding treatment centers near you, and help you verify insurance coverage. Call now to get started on your journey to recovery today. [accordion title="Rehab at American Addiction Centers"] Laguna Treatment Hospital Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab insurance coverage"] Ambetter American Family Beacon BHO Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Connecticare Geisinger HCSC Harvard Pilgrim Highmark Kaiser Permanente Magellan Magnacare Meritain Health Medicare and Medicaid Optum Oxford Health Providence Qualcare Sierra Health Tricare Triwest Tufts United Healthcare UPMC Zelis [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab near me"] Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab"] Choosing a rehab center Couples rehab Court ordered rehab COVID-19 and rehab Dual-diagnosis rehab Deciding you need rehab Helping a loved one go to rehab Preparing for rehab State-funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab [/accordion][accordion title="Detox"] 24/7 detox hotlines Outpatient detox Dangers of detoxing at home The cost of detox [/accordion][accordion title="Other Types of Narcotics"] Codeine Fentanyl Hydrocodone Kadian Lorcet Lortab Methadone Morphine Norco Opiates Opium Oramorph Oxycodone Tramadol [/accordion]   [sources]   National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June). Heroin DrugFacts. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (HHS Publication No. PEP21-07-01-003, NSDUH Series H-56). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. (2022). Heroin. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). Detoxification and substance abuse treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4131. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, January). Treatment approaches for drug addiction. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, January). Principles of drug addiction treatment (Third edition). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Medications for opioid use disorder. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 63 Publication No. PEP21-02-01-002. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022, July 25). Medication-assisted treatment (MAT). [/sources] ...

Does Cigna Cover Detox or Rehab? Cigna insurance provider offering plans with coverage for drug and alcohol treatment like detox and rehab. As a direct result of the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), drug and alcohol rehab services are required to be covered by Cigna and other insurance providers as an essential benefit. Keep in mind, however, the exact coverage offered for addiction treatment services will often vary by plan. What Exactly do Cigna Plans Cover? While you should always check with Cigna before using your benefits.  Most Cigna plans provide some level of coverage for varying forms of detox and rehab treatment programs for substances such as: Alcohol Amphetamines Antidepressants Antipsychotics Benzodiazepines Cocaine Marijuana Narcotics Sedatives How to Use Your Cigna Plan for Rehab Although insurance providers are all required to cover substance use treatment, exact coverage varies. To be sure you are minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses when you pay for rehab with your cigna plan, your first step should be verifying your plan's coverage. First, you can check your Cigna coverage online. Cigna has a website where you can create an account and access your plan details. This account allows you to check your benefits, find in-network rehab providers, and estimate any out-of-pocket costs. Alternatively, rehab providers often operate detox hotlines that allow you to verify our coverage and out-of-pocket costs instantly. However, You may still want to verify with Cigna directly for the best explanation of your benefits. [vob-aktify-cta title="American Addiction Centers accepts Cigna" subtitle="Check your coverage online or text us your questions for more information"] Types of Cigna Insurance Plans Cigna offers rehab providers that are in-network to help save you money when accessing care. Insurance plans through Cigna are available in three tiers:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Bronze plans have the lowest premiums, but the highest out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and co-pays. These plans are best for people who can’t afford high premiums or don’t go to the doctor frequently. Silver plans have higher premiums than bronze plans, but lower out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and co-pays. These plans are best for people with families or those who go to the doctor regularly. Gold plans have the highest premiums but the lowest out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and co-pays. These plans are best for people who visit the doctor often, have a chronic illness and are prescribed several medications. Cigna and Medicare Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to people aged 65 or older, as well as people with specific disabilities.13 There are different types of Medicare plans, some of which are available through Cigna.1,13 Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available through private insurance companies and offer medical and hospital coverage as well as other benefits including prescription medication benefits, depending on the plan that you choose.13, 14 These plans commonly include a deductible and set copay amounts for doctor visits and maximum out-of-pocket limits.14 Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) are offered through private insurance companies to provide coverage for prescription medications.13 Cigna administers Medicare prescription drug plans throughout the US and Medicare Advantage Plans in 16 US states and Washington, D.C.1 Some Medicare Advantage Plans require you to access care within a network of providers that are contracted with Medicare, while others allow you to see any provider you wish, although this may cost you more.14  Medicaid is a federal program that provides health insurance to people with disabilities, children, and low-income individuals.15 Cigna offers Medicaid-managed care plans in Texas through a program known as STAR+PLUS.15  Cigna also offers a range of health insurance plans for federal employees and retirees, depending on employer and location.16 Plan types include: Open Access Plus (OAP) plans, which include a large network of providers, clinics, rehabs, and hospitals across the country that you can access without a referral and the option to choose your primary care doctor to coordinate your medical care.16 Preferred Provider Organization plans, which are similar to OAP plans but that allow additional flexibility by offering the option to choose care from providers that are out of network.16 LocalPlus plans, which offer a limited network of providers and facilities close to where you live and also offer the safety net of care when you are out of the area.16 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, which offer a network of providers, clinics, rehabs, and hospitals within a set area to meet your treatment needs.16 How to Find Rehab Centers Covered by Cigna Cigna insurance plans are currently offered in the following 10 states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Although coverage is offered in these states, plans & benefits can vary depending on where you live. 2 Online therapy covered by Cigna is available in most states as well. This includes the above-mentioned state of,  Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. [accordion title="Rehab at American Addiction Centers"] Laguna Treatment Hospital Adcare - Boston Sunrise House Desert Hope Greenhouse Oxford Treatment Center Recovery First River Oaks [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab by state"] Alabama Alaska Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Georgia Hawaii Idaho Indiana Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming [/accordion][accordion title="More about rehab"] Choosing a rehab center Couples rehab Court ordered rehab COVID-19 and rehab Dual-diagnosis rehab Deciding you need rehab Helping a loved one go to rehab Inpatient rehab Medication assisted rehab Outpatient rehab Preparing for rehab Relapse prevention State-funded rehab Teen rehab Veterans rehab [/accordion][accordion title="More about detox"] 24/7 detox hotlines Inpatient detox Outpatient detox Medical detox Dangers of detoxing at home The cost of detox [/accordion][accordion title="Rehab insurance coverage"] Aetna Ambetter American Family AmeriHealth Anthem Beacon BHO Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticare Geisinger HCSC Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan of Nevada Highmark Humana Kaiser Permanente Magellan Magnacare Meritain Health Optum Oxford Health Providence Qualcare Sierra Health Tricare Triwest Tufts United Healthcare UPMC Without insurance Zelis [/accordion] [sources] (2020). Company profile. (2020). Health insurance plans. (2020). Health insurance plans in Arizona. (2020). Health insurance plans in Colorado. (2020). Health insurance plans in Florida. (2020). Health insurance plans in Illinois. (2020). Health insurance plans in Kansas. (2020). Health insurance plans in Missouri. (2020). Health insurance plans in North Carolina. (2020). Health insurance plans in Tennessee. (2020). Health insurance plans in Utah. (2020). Health insurance plans in Virginia. (2020). Understanding Medicare. (2020). Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) FAQs. (2020). Cigna STAR+PLUS. (2020). Group health insurance plans. (2011). Levels of substance abuse care descriptions (lowest to highest). National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (3rd edition). (2020). Inpatient and outpatient treatment for substance use disorder. [/sources] ...