The opioid crisis has reshaped the lives of families, communities, and healthcare systems across the United States. Millions of people have become trapped in addiction due to the misuse of prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. What began as a solution to pain has led to an epidemic of overdose, grief, and broken lives.

At Living Longer Recovery, we understand the damage opioids cause and the strength it takes to find healing. Our licensed facility in Desert Hot Springs, CA, offers effective opioid use disorder treatments in a calm, confidential setting.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids reduce pain by binding to specific receptors in the brain and body. When used appropriately, they can relieve moderate to severe pain, especially after surgery or serious injury. However, their ability to also produce feelings of euphoria makes them highly addictive.

Examples of prescription opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine. Heroin is an illegal opioid. Fentanyl, which is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, is used medically but is also produced illegally and sold on the street.

Understanding the opioids definition is key to addressing the crisis. These substances alter the brain’s chemistry, creating dependence quickly. Over time, the body requires more of the drug just to function normally. This leads many users to escalate their dosage, increasing the risk of overdose and death.

Why Are Opioids So Addictive?

The answer to why opioids are so addictive lies in the way they affect the brain’s reward system. Opioids trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls pleasure and motivation. This surge in dopamine produces a temporary state of well-being, which the brain then seeks to replicate.

Over time, natural dopamine production is disrupted. People who use opioids regularly may find it difficult to feel pleasure from everyday activities. Instead, they begin relying on the drug just to feel normal. This cycle of craving and withdrawal makes quitting incredibly difficult without medical help.

At Living Longer Recovery, we offer opioid detox and supportive therapy that helps clients reset their body’s chemistry and begin rebuilding their lives without substances. Understanding addiction’s grip is the first step to breaking it.

How the Opioid Crisis Began

The opioid crisis began in the late 1990s when pharmaceutical companies promoted prescription painkillers as safe and non-addictive. Doctors, reassured by this message, began prescribing opioids at higher rates. Patients who were once treated with conservative options now receive powerful medications for everything from dental procedures to back pain.

As prescriptions increased, so did misuse. People began taking higher doses, using medication in non-prescribed ways, or turning to street drugs like heroin when prescriptions ran out. By the time the addictive nature of opioids became widely recognized, millions were already dependent.

Today, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl have taken center stage in overdose deaths. Often mixed into other drugs without users’ knowledge, fentanyl is responsible for a staggering rise in fatalities. In California and nationwide, communities are still grappling with the devastating effects of this public health emergency.

Opioid Use Disorder Symptoms

Recognizing opioid use disorder symptoms is key to early intervention. Signs may be physical, behavioral, or emotional, often becoming more severe.

Common symptoms include:

• Frequent drowsiness or sedation
• Mood swings or irritability
• Withdrawal from family or social activities
• Doctor shopping or seeking multiple prescriptions
• Financial problems related to drug use
• Using opioids even when it causes harm 

Many people try to hide their addiction, making it difficult for loved ones to understand the seriousness of the problem. At Living Longer Recovery, we help clients and families recognize the signs and take action before it’s too late.

If you care about someone who is showing these symptoms, reaching out to a professional can prevent further harm. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances for recovery.

Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Effective treatment for opioid use disorder includes a combination of medical, psychological, and behavioral therapies. At Living Longer Recovery, we guide clients through a structured treatment plan that includes detox, therapy, and long-term support.

The process typically begins with opioid detox, where the body is safely cleared of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms can be intense and include anxiety, nausea, muscle pain, and insomnia. Our medical team monitors clients around the clock, using supportive medications to ease discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.

After detox, clients transition into therapy. We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the thought patterns that contribute to drug use. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is also used to help regulate emotions and reduce impulsive behavior.

Dual diagnosis care is provided for clients who also struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Treating mental health and addiction together improves outcomes and helps prevent relapse.

What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a valuable option for individuals who need help managing cravings and withdrawal. This approach uses FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone alongside counseling and therapy.

The goal of medically assisted treatment is to stabilize the brain’s chemistry so clients can focus on recovery. Unlike older methods that emphasized total abstinence, MAT helps reduce relapse rates and supports a more stable return to everyday life.

At Living Longer Recovery, MAT is part of a holistic care plan. Clients receive therapy, life skills training, and medication management under the guidance of licensed clinicians. We do not rely on medication alone—it is used in conjunction with emotional and psychological care.

Our Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Programs

Our opioid use disorder treatment services are available in several formats to meet clients where they are in recovery. Each level of care is personalized to provide safety, structure, and support.

Clients often begin with medical detox, followed by inpatient rehab in a calm, private environment. For those ready to step down, we offer a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) that includes daily therapy without overnight stays.

We also provide outpatient treatment, where clients attend scheduled sessions while rebuilding their independence. Each level of care includes therapy, relapse prevention, and aftercare planning.

Throughout treatment, clients benefit from:

• One-on-one therapy
• Group counseling
• Life skills development
• Family therapy sessions
• Art, mindfulness, and wellness practices 

We also coordinate referrals for sober living and long-term aftercare. Our team helps clients build new routines and reconnect with what matters.

Life After Treatment: Recovery and Support

Recovery doesn’t end after detox or discharge. Long-term success requires continued commitment and support. We help clients build a solid foundation during treatment and stay connected afterward.

Aftercare may include outpatient sessions, 12-step meetings, or peer recovery groups. For many, family plays a key role in maintaining sobriety. We offer family therapy and education so loved ones can support recovery without reinforcing unhealthy patterns.

We also assist with employment readiness, goal setting, and lifestyle planning. The goal is not only to stop drug use but also to help clients find purpose and direction that will make relapse less likely.

Why Choose Living Longer Recovery?

At Living Longer Recovery, we offer more than a treatment plan—we offer a place to heal. Our location in Desert Hot Springs is quiet and private, surrounded by nature and designed for reflection. Clients enjoy access to a pool, patios, healthy meals, and clean, comfortable rooms.

Our clinical team brings experience, compassion, and professionalism to each client’s care. We work with individuals from California, nationwide, and even globally. Whether you’re looking for opioid detox, MAT, or therapy for opioid use disorder, we are here to help.

We serve adults of all backgrounds, including professionals, parents, and those seeking a fresh start. Each treatment plan is adapted to the client’s goals, values, and readiness for change.

Call Living Longer Recovery Today

If you or someone you love is affected by the opioid crisis, don’t wait. At Living Longer Recovery, we provide private, evidence-based treatment that supports long-term healing. Whether you’re dealing with prescription drug use, heroin, or fentanyl, our team is ready to guide you toward recovery.

Call us today to speak with our admissions team, verify insurance, and explore your options. Help is here. You don’t have to go through this alone.

FAQs

1. What is the opioid crisis?
The opioid crisis refers to the widespread misuse of opioids, including prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl, which has led to addiction and overdose deaths across the U.S.

2. What are opioids?
Opioids are drugs used to relieve pain. They include medications like oxycodone and morphine, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin and illicit fentanyl.

3. What are the symptoms of opioid use disorder?
Symptoms include cravings, increased tolerance, withdrawal, continued use despite harm, isolation, mood changes, and using more than prescribed.

4. What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?
MAT combines medications like buprenorphine or methadone with counseling to help manage cravings and withdrawal in those recovering from opioid addiction.

5. How is opioid use disorder treated at Living Longer Recovery?
Treatment includes detox, inpatient or PHP care, therapy, medication support, dual diagnosis services, and relapse prevention—all in a private, structured setting.