Opioid addiction is a chronic medical condition in which the brain becomes dependent on opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, or fentanyl. SAMHSA counted 8.9 million Americans who misused opioids in 2023, making this a core focus of addiction treatment in Los Angeles County at LACATC. Recovery is a medical process here, not a test of willpower.
What does opioid addiction treatment include at LACATC?
Opioid addiction treatment at LACATC includes supervised withdrawal, FDA-approved medications, residential care, and therapy, sequenced as one continuous plan. Opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal, but it is brutal enough that most people cannot complete it alone, which is why treatment starts in our medical detox program in Los Angeles County.
The full treatment path covers 5 stages:
- Medical detox with comfort medications and 24/7 nursing
- MAT induction once withdrawal symptoms begin
- Residential treatment with daily individual and group therapy
- Step-down care through PHP and IOP
- Aftercare with continued medication management
Each stage hands off directly to the next, with no gap in medication or care. Your treatment team stays consistent from detox through aftercare. That continuity is what keeps early recovery from unraveling.
Recovery is a medical process, not a test of willpower.
How does medication-assisted treatment work for opioids?
Medication-assisted treatment works by stabilizing the brain's opioid receptors so cravings quiet down and therapy can take hold. SAMHSA recognizes 3 FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.
LACATC prescribes through medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol addiction, matching the medication to the patient:
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) for craving and withdrawal control
- Vivitrol (naltrexone) for relapse blocking after detox
- Supportive medications for sleep, anxiety, and mood
Medication choice is revisited at every stage of care. What works during detox may change once you return to work and family life.
Is MAT just trading one drug for another?
No, MAT is evidence-based medicine, not substitution. These medications normalize brain chemistry without producing a high when taken as prescribed, and SAMHSA classifies them as first-line treatment for opioid use disorder.
Why are veterans at higher risk for opioid addiction?
Veterans face higher opioid addiction risk because service-related injuries led to years of prescription opioid exposure for chronic pain. Dependence that began with a legitimate prescription is still dependence, and it deserves treatment rather than shame. Pain is treated here, not dismissed, because untreated pain is the fastest road back to opioids.
LACATC pairs opioid treatment with pain management alternatives and trauma care inside our veteran addiction treatment in Los Angeles County. TRICARE and VA benefits cover the care.
Dependence that began with a prescription is still dependence.
How long does opioid treatment take?
Opioid treatment takes 30 to 90 days of structured care, with medication support often continuing 12 months or longer. Detox alone runs 5 to 10 days, and stopping there is the most common relapse mistake, because tolerance drops while cravings remain.
Long-term success is built on 3 supports: continued MAT under medical supervision, therapy that addresses why opioids became the answer, and a relapse response plan your family knows by heart.
FAQ
Opioids rewired your brain, and medicine can rewire it back. Call LACATC or begin addiction treatment today at LACATC to verify insurance and start opioid treatment in Encino this week.