Opioid Use Disorder
Medically supervised detox and long-term treatment for opioid dependence — prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl.
Overview
What it is.
Medically reviewed by Peter Scheid, MD
Medical Director, SILC Health
Clinically reviewed by Alexandra Truman, LMFT
Clinical Director, Substance Use Services — SILC Health
Last reviewed: June 16, 2026
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic, treatable medical condition that develops when use of opioids — prescription painkillers, heroin, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl — leads to significant impairment or distress. More than 6 million Americans live with OUD, and the rise of illicit fentanyl has made overdose risk higher than it has ever been. Even one relapse after a period of abstinence can be fatal.
Opioids work by binding to receptors in the brain that regulate pain and reward. With repeated use, the brain adapts — requiring more of the drug to feel normal and producing severe withdrawal when it stops. This is a biological process, not a moral failing. Modern treatment combines medication, therapy, and community support to give people a real chance at lasting recovery.
Signs
What it looks like.
Recognizing the pattern is often the hardest part. None of these alone confirms a diagnosis — but a cluster of them is worth taking seriously.
- Taking opioids longer or in higher doses than prescribed
- Strong cravings or urges to use
- Failed attempts to cut down or quit
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using (body aches, sweats, anxiety, nausea)
- Continuing to use despite consequences at home, work, or with the law
- Doctor-shopping, lying about use, or running out of prescriptions early
- Tolerance — needing more to get the same effect
- Using more dangerous routes (snorting, injecting) over time
Our Approach
How SILC treats it.
SILC Health treats opioid use disorder across the full continuum — beginning with medically supervised detox to manage withdrawal safely. Opioid withdrawal is not typically life-threatening, but it is severe, and the cravings that follow are what drive most relapses. Our medical team uses FDA-approved medications and 24/7 clinical oversight to make detox as comfortable and safe as possible.
After detox, treatment continues in residential or partial hospitalization care. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) — buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone — is offered when clinically appropriate, paired with individual therapy, group work, trauma-informed care, and recovery skill-building. MAT cuts overdose risk by more than half and is the current standard of care.
If our programs aren't the right fit for your situation — geographically, clinically, or financially — our admissions team will help you find a trusted partner facility that is. No one calls SILC and leaves empty-handed.
Therapies & Modalities
FAQ
Common questions.
How dangerous is opioid withdrawal?
Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening on its own, but it is severe — flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, anxiety, insomnia, and intense cravings. The bigger risk is relapse after withdrawal: tolerance drops fast, and a dose that was normal before can now be fatal. Medical detox keeps the process safe and significantly lowers relapse risk.
What is MAT and do I need it?
Medication-Assisted Treatment uses FDA-approved medications (buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone) to reduce cravings and stabilize brain chemistry. Decades of research show MAT cuts overdose deaths by more than 50%. Not everyone needs it, but it's offered to anyone for whom it's clinically appropriate.
How long does opioid treatment take?
Detox usually runs 5–10 days. Residential or PHP care typically follows for 30–90 days, with outpatient continuing care extending well beyond that. Many people stay on MAT for a year or longer — recovery is a long horizon, not a 30-day sprint.
Will insurance cover opioid treatment?
Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary opioid use disorder treatment under federal parity laws. Our admissions team verifies benefits before you commit to anything.
What about fentanyl specifically?
Fentanyl is now mixed into most illicit opioids and many counterfeit pills, which is why overdose rates have surged. Treatment for fentanyl use disorder follows the same evidence base as other opioids — medical detox, MAT, and structured therapy — with extra attention to overdose prevention and naloxone access.
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Alcohol Use Disorder
Medically supervised detox and structured treatment for alcohol dependence.
Benzodiazepine Use Disorder
Medically supervised taper and structured treatment for benzodiazepine dependence — Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Structured treatment for cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulant dependence.
Co-Occurring Disorders (Dual Diagnosis)
Integrated treatment for substance use and mental health conditions — treated together, not one at a time.
Talk to admissions
One conversation can change the trajectory.
Whether SILC is the right fit or not, we'll listen and help you find a path forward.