Madison, Wisconsin’s Premier Treatment Center for Opioid Addiction

Opening December 2024

Opioids are a class of drugs doctors prescribe to relieve pain. However, opioids also come with a serious risk for substance abuse and addiction. 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that, in addition to reducing pain, opioids can produce euphoria by activating reward areas in the brain. The pleasurable effects of opioids can contribute to their potential for misuse and addiction. 

At Shorewood Behavioral Health, located in Madison, Wisconsin, we offer specialized treatment for people who are suffering from addictions to opioids. Our empowering addiction treatment services can help people navigate the recovery process and begin to build healthier futures.  

Signs & Symptoms of Opioid Addiction

Someone who is suffering from an opioid addiction may use opioids in large doses or for nonmedical purposes. They might also go to extreme lengths to obtain opioids, including by getting them in dishonest or illegal ways.  

Common signs and symptoms of opioid addiction include: 

  • Taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer periods than planned 
  • Struggling to control opioid use 
  • Spending a lot of time finding and using opioids 
  • Cravings for opioids 
  • Difficulty taking care of responsibilities at work, school, or home 
  • Social isolation 
  • No longer participating in activities once enjoyed  
  • Using opioids in dangerous situations, such as while driving a car 
  • Needing more of the drug to get the same effects  
  • Having withdrawal symptoms if use is stopped  
  • Dry mouth and nose 
  • Constipation 

Suffering from opioid addiction symptoms can be an isolating and distressing experience. However, by getting comprehensive opioid addiction treatment, it is possible to address the symptoms you have been struggling with and begin the process of recovery. 

Opioid Addiction Statistics

The use of opioids, and the number of overdoses and deaths associated with opioids, has become an epidemic in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the following statistics on the national opioid crisis: 

  • Almost 500,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses between 1999 and 2019. 
  • In 2019, more than 70% of the 70,630 drug overdose deaths involved an opioid. 
  • Beginning in 2013, there has been a surge in overdose deaths that involve synthetic opioids, including fentanyl.  

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shared the following data on opioid abuse in the United States taken from a 2019 national survey: 

  • Around 1.6 million people had an opioid addiction in the previous year, and the same number misused prescription painkillers for the first time. 
  • The number of people who used the illegal opioid heroin for the first time was 50,000. The total number of people who used heroin in the previous year was 745,000. 

Potential Opioid Addiction Effects

Someone who is suffering from an opioid addiction can experience serious consequences to their health, safety, and mental well-being. However, according to the American Psychiatric Association, only about 1 in 4 people who have an opioid addiction receive specialized care. 

The effects of an opioid addiction can include: 

  • Relationship difficulties 
  • Struggling to keep a job 
  • Engaging in illegal activities 
  • Infections, including hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus, if a needle is used to inject opioid substances 
  • Experiencing violence while buying or selling drugs 
  • Problems with sexual or reproductive functioning 
  • Higher risk for suicide 
  • Opioid overdose 

Although recovery can be a challenging process, effective opioid addiction treatment is available. At Shorewood Behavioral Health in Madison, Wisconsin, you can receive a detailed health assessment that can help determine whether our treatment place is right for you.  

Benefits of Opioid Addiction Treatment

Stopping opioid use and beginning treatment can feel overwhelming. You might feel concerned about navigating the withdrawal process and unsure what to expect from treatment. At our opioid addiction treatment center, we create a personalized plan for recovery for each of our patients, so you don’t have to feel anxious about the process.  

Because an opioid addiction can affect many areas of a person’s life, treatment often involves a whole-person approach. As part of your holistic treatment experience at Shorewood Behavioral Health, you can set goals, learn new skills, improve your relationships, and make positive life changes that can support lasting recovery.  

The therapies and services we offer as part of our comprehensive treatment include the following: 

  • Medication management services: Some patients may have medication included in their individual treatment plans, especially if they are suffering from a co-occurring disorder in addition to struggling with an addiction to opioids. These individuals have an opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist, physician, nurse, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist for medication management services. As part of these services, our team members monitor the effects of the medication a patient is taking, and they can adjust the medication if necessary. The average length of time a patient spends at our opioid addiction treatment center is seven days, and patients who are taking medication can meet for medication management services six out of those seven days. If a patient’s time with us is more or less than seven days, the number of times they have these meetings will vary accordingly.  
  • Medical care: During the admissions process, patients complete a history and physical exam to determine if they have any medical needs. If they do, we can provide basic medical care as needed. If they have medical needs that go beyond the care we can provide, we give them referrals for appropriate treatment providers. 
  • Medication-assisted treatment: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment for people who have opioid addictions. MAT combines the use of medications like Suboxone® with talk therapy. Some patients may benefit from having this type of care incorporated into their personalized treatment plans, and that is determined based on the results of the assessment they receive prior to admission. 
  • Group therapy: Group therapy is the main type of therapy we use at our opioid addiction treatment center. When patients participate in group therapy, they have a chance to meet with other people who may be struggling with opioid addictions or other mental health and addiction concerns. This can help them come to understand that they are not alone, eliminating the sense of isolation that often goes along with battling an addiction. Group therapy is also a space where patients can receive support and encouragement not only from their peers, but also from our compassionate staff. The professionals who lead these group therapy sessions include mental health technicians, counselors, therapists, and nurses. Patients receive group therapy daily, which can include goal-setting groups, process groups, nursing groups, and activity groups. During these sessions, there may be a number of topics discussed, such as self-esteem, coping skills, relapse prevention, developing and maintaining healthy boundaries, and the effects of trauma. 

Why Choose Our Opioid Addiction Treatment Center

Shorewood Behavioral Health, located in Madison, Wisconsin, provides premier opioid addiction treatment for adolescents and adults.  

At our opioid addiction treatment center, patients receive care from a dedicated treatment team that may include: 

  • Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) 
  • Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) 
  • Psychiatrists 
  • Nurse practitioners 
  • Licensed professional nurses (LPNs) 
  • Registered nurses 
  • Mental health technicians 
  • Registered dietitians 
  • Activity therapists 

These team members work together to prepare a personalized treatment plan for each patient that is based on the information we gather from the detailed assessment they complete as part of our admissions process.  

At Shorewood Behavioral Health, we understand the immense responsibility of caring for people who are in crisis. We provide comprehensive and compassionate services, including customized discharge planning, so that you can take steps toward the future you deserve. 

Learn More

Finding the right opioid addiction treatment center can seem like an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. At Shorewood Behavioral Health, we want to make starting the process of getting treatment as easy and seamless as possible. 

Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help. If you have any questions about opioid addiction treatment, the specific services we offer, or how you can start the admissions process, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We want to help you make the best decision as you start your recovery journey. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Shorewood Behavioral Health.