The effectiveness of a particular treatment program is highly dependent the individual. Besides the specific prescription pain reliever someone is misusing, other factors that will affect treatment’s effectiveness include:
- The age and sex of the patient
- Cost of treatment, including the level of insurance coverage
- Availability of social support outside the program
- Availability of opioid treatment medication
- Any other mental health or personal problems the patient is facing
Inpatient prescription drug rehab, also labeled residential treatment, places the patient in a safe and immersive environment 24 hours a day, for several weeks to several months. Outpatient prescription drugs rehab, on the other hand, provides treatment services to the patient for just a few hours a day, after which they return home.
Because inpatient rehabs shut off any negative outside influences that may cause a relapse, these programs tend to be more effective. Patients who attend inpatient prescription drug rehab programs are also more likely to complete treatment and, in turn, less likely to overdose.
Many rehab programs are tailored to those having problems with opioid misuse. Even before the rise of the recent opioid crisis, many individuals struggled with heroin addictions. While oxycodone and hydrocodone misuse problems are more recent (at least with respect to the number of people suffering), many treatment programs are prepared to handle this new type of addiction and misuse of prescription pain relievers.
One of the most effective opioid addiction treatments is MAT, which combines counseling and behavioral therapy with medications like buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. Only some prescription drug rehabs are certified to use these medications. Some experts argue the drugs themselves are subject to misuse while some contest that belief.