Tommy Recovery Coaching

Can People Truly Recover from Addiction to Opiates?

Most of the news headlines about the American opioid crisis are pessimistic. They often focus on fatal overdose statistics and dramatic crime reports that highlight the futility of the “War on Drugs.” In recent months, however, reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown progress. CDC statistics show a 4 percent decrease in overdose deaths from 2022 to 2024, and only nine states recorded a slight uptick in fatal opioid incidents. We rarely see headlines about opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, and this is unfortunate because we don’t get to learn about recovery statistics.

The Reality of OUD in the U.S.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates 3 million adults suffer from OUD. An NIDA report from 2021 estimated less than 25 percent of OUD patients have reasonable access to medications to treat their addictions. This is worrisome because OUD is a condition that should be treated with clinical detoxification and modulation of opioid receptors. This doesn’t mean that only 750,000 patients will recover. In an addiction treatment utopia, all OUD patients would be medically screened to determine if they need detox and modulation therapy. We know this doesn’t happen. Nonetheless, we also know many patients recover without detox, and some recover on their own.

History of OUD & Recovery

Anthropologists believe humans have been getting hooked on opium and its derivatives for about 6,000 years. In Mesopotamia, for example, the Sumerians binged on poppy seeds before discovering the more powerful effects of “hul gil,” the juice extracted from the poppy plant. These days, the OUD epidemic is fueled by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which is more powerful and addictive than morphine and heroin. OUD has been around for millennia, and so has recovery. Thankfully, modern OUD recovery methods are more effective. However, the mortality rate for opioid addicts is six times higher than for the general population.

Healthy Approaches to OUD Recovery

Overdose prevention and immediate access to treatment are critical for OUD treatment. To a certain extent, this vital approach is similar to alcoholism. We want to save lives and make patients healthy before helping them reclaim their lives. Research shows there may be lapsing and relapsing along the way. This can always be prevented, but there needs to be a focus on healthcare. Then other strategies can be applied, including rehabilitation and sober lifestyle coaching for patients who seek it. While some people who fall into substance abuse can start to recover on their own without the help of an interventionist, Encinitas addicts can get a great deal of benefit from working with experienced sober coaches.

The Bottom Line of OUD Recovery

Anyone who gets addicted to painkillers or street-level opioids can recover. The research evidence is solid. OUD recovery is possible, and it happens every day. OUD patients can be average Americans—farmers, CEOs, soccer moms, our neighbors, and ourselves. Once patients get healthy and modulated, their journeys to recovery can begin in earnest. With the proper treatment, guidance, and support, recovering from OUD isn’t only possible but also immensely rewarding.

For strength-based support with addiction recovery, Encinitas residents should reach out to the trained recovery coaches at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. Our goal is to offer our clients maximum recovery support, especially in the first fragile days or weeks of early recovery. If you’re looking for extra addiction recovery support so you don’t risk relapse when you head into the danger zones, we’ll work with you to put together a game plan to keep you safe and sober as you accomplish your goals. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.