What I Wish I Knew Before Starting OUD Treatment

Seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) can be one of the scariest endeavors in the recovery process. Although each year hundreds of thousands of people seek treatment for OUD, there is so much that seems to be unknown in this process.

I didn’t have anyone to guide me or give me advice the first time I started opioid use disorder treatment. In my field of work, we like to do what is known as a “ soft handoff”. This is a process of smoothly transferring a patient to care to make this transition easier.

Differences in treatment programs

For starters, not every treatment center is the same. While most of them utilize the 12-step model and other modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy, programs can vary with how they operate. Some are work programs, which is where patients work for their stay. While some centers are focused on a specific religious denomination.

One of the most common questions I get is what can we bring? You can bring food, but it must be unopened and can’t contain anything that might make someone fail a urine test, like certain energy drinks or food with alcohol in it. Some won’t allow energy drinks during the detox process or even at all. Some centers also don’t allow tobacco.

To my knowledge, every treatment center I’ve been to and worked with supplies basic toiletries. I would suggest asking the admissions representative you’re in contact with all the above and/or any questions you have. There is no such thing as a dumb question.

Follow the rules

Once you or your loved one gets admitted, there will be some rules to protect all patients. The program will put the patient on a phone blackout period and only allow them to talk to loved ones at certain times of the day. If the person seeking treatment is able to take calls, they will be on a "release of information." Otherwise, when someone calls, they will say they can’t confirm or deny that the person is there due to HIPPA. It's also good to keep in mind the person seeking treatment can choose how much or how little is disclosed to their loved ones.

They will lock up any other their electronics, wallet, and possibly cigarettes and lighters. This varies from facility to facility. They'll search all of your belongings upon arrival to protect them and other patients. They also may ask the person entering treatment to strip down into their underwear. They do this to make sure they aren’t bringing contraband into facility.

Don't trust everyone

I hate that I must even bring the next two topics up, but it is important for folks to practice their due diligence. I’ve personally seen and experienced first-hand business development reps and admission representatives lying to potential clients just to get them to come to treatment.

They may lie by telling clients they’re going to a certain location, such as a specific house they want to be in, or it could be that they can bring a gaming console and use it. I’ve seen them lie to clients and tell them they could be on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) while at the center. So please, use your due diligence and ask questions.

Be aware of bad characters

Lastly, in the treatment industry there are a lot of bad characters. People who prey on vulnerable individuals for monetary gain are known as body brokers. They come across as charming individuals who may help you or your loved one sign up for insurance or help you navigate treatment, but they will only send you to a center they are connected to. More than likely, this facility is engaging in other illegal activities. This could be anywhere from paying clients to return to use so they can bill their insurance for detox again or paying them to get a medical procedure they may or may not need.

So, all in all, ask questions. Ask a lot of questions, and do your research on the facilities you’re interested in. You can never go wrong by looking at a facility's track record. Ethical treatment is a right, and you and/or your loved deserve the best quality of care.

What advice do you wish you were given when you first started treatment for opioid use disorder?