The opioid crisis continues devastating communities across America, with nearly 3 million Americans suffering from opioid use disorder and over 75% of drug overdose deaths involving opioids. At Refine Recovery in Beverly Hills, we provide comprehensive opioid addiction treatment combining medication-assisted treatment (MAT), medically supervised detox, evidence-based therapies, and luxury accommodations in a private, compassionate setting. Our personalized approach addresses both physical dependence and the psychological aspects of opioid addiction, whether you’re struggling with prescription painkillers, heroin, fentanyl, or other opioids. With relapse rates as high as 90% without proper treatment, professional intervention is essential for successful long-term recovery.
Opioids are a class of drugs that interact with opioid receptors in the brain and body to reduce pain signals and produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation. This category includes both prescription medications and illicit drugs, all sharing similar mechanisms of action and addiction potential.
Prescription Opioids
Illicit Opioids
Opioids hijack the brain’s natural reward system. When opioids bind to receptors in the brain, they trigger massive dopamine release, creating intense euphoria and reinforcing drug-seeking behavior. With repeated use, the brain adapts through neuroplastic changes, becoming dependent on external opioid supply to maintain normal function.
Tolerance The brain becomes less sensitive to opioids, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. What began as a prescribed dose for pain management often escalates to dangerous levels as tolerance develops.
Physical Dependence The body adapts to opioid presence, incorporating it into normal physiological functioning. When opioid levels drop, withdrawal symptoms emerge as the body struggles to regain equilibrium without the drug.
Psychological Dependence Beyond physical need, psychological cravings develop as the brain associates opioid use with pleasure, relief, and normalcy. These cravings can persist long after physical withdrawal ends.
Addiction (Opioid Use Disorder) The DSM-5 defines opioid use disorder by specific criteria including loss of control over use, continued use despite harm, cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, and inability to fulfill major role obligations. Severity ranges from mild (2-3 symptoms) to severe (6+ symptoms).
Many people develop opioid addiction after receiving legitimate prescriptions for pain management following surgery, injury, or chronic pain conditions. The progression often follows a predictable pattern: taking medication as prescribed, developing tolerance requiring higher doses, experiencing euphoria alongside pain relief, seeking additional prescriptions or buying pills from others, using opioids for emotional relief rather than just pain, experiencing withdrawal when doses are missed, and transitioning to heroin or illicit fentanyl when prescriptions become unavailable or too expensive.
This trajectory highlights why opioid addiction affects people from all backgrounds, ages, and socioeconomic levels.
Opioid addiction affects every body system, causing both immediate dangers and long-term health complications.
The most dangerous effect of opioids is respiratory depression. Opioids suppress the brainstem’s respiratory drive, slowing breathing. High doses can cause breathing to stop entirely, leading to death. With fentanyl contaminating the drug supply, overdose risk has skyrocketed. Fentanyl is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, and tiny amounts can be lethal.
Overdose Signs
If you suspect overdose, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (Narcan) if available.
Chronic opioid use damages the cardiovascular system through infectious endocarditis (heart valve infection) from injection drug use, increased heart attack and stroke risk, irregular heartbeat and arrhythmias, hypotension (low blood pressure), and circulatory problems from injection damage.
Injection opioid use dramatically increases infection risk including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C (affecting 50-90% of injection drug users), bacterial infections and abscesses, sepsis and bloodstream infections, and osteomyelitis (bone infection).
Opioids significantly affect the digestive system causing severe constipation and bowel obstruction, nausea and vomiting, reduced appetite and malnutrition, bowel perforation in severe cases, and abdominal pain and cramping.
Chronic opioid use weakens immune function, increasing vulnerability to infections, reducing the body’s ability to heal, and increasing cancer risk with long-term use.
Opioids interfere with hormone production causing hypogonadism (reduced testosterone/estrogen), menstrual irregularities and infertility, decreased libido and sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis from hormonal changes, and fatigue and depression from hormonal imbalances.
Beyond addiction itself, opioids cause cognitive impairment and memory problems, depression and anxiety, increased suicide risk, social isolation, psychosis in some cases, and permanent brain damage from overdoses.
Opioid use during pregnancy causes neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), premature birth and low birth weight, birth defects, placental abruption, maternal mortality, and long-term developmental challenges for children.
Our dual diagnosis program addresses the complex interactions between opioid addiction and mental health conditions.
Opioid withdrawal, while rarely life-threatening, is extremely uncomfortable and creates intense psychological distress driving relapse. Understanding withdrawal helps prepare for the challenges of detoxification.
Early Withdrawal (6-12 Hours for Short-Acting, 24-48 Hours for Long-Acting) Initial symptoms include anxiety and restlessness, muscle aches and pains, increased tearing and runny nose, sweating, insomnia, and yawning.
Peak Withdrawal (1-3 Days for Short-Acting, 3-5 Days for Long-Acting) Symptoms intensify dramatically: severe muscle and bone pain, cramping and spasms, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, dilated pupils and sensitivity to light, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, goosebumps (“cold turkey”), severe anxiety and agitation, intense drug cravings, and depression.
Acute Withdrawal Continuation (5-10 Days) Physical symptoms gradually decrease but remain uncomfortable: persistent muscle aches, gastrointestinal issues, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression, and continued cravings.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) (Weeks to Months) After acute withdrawal ends, many experience protracted symptoms: persistent cravings (especially triggered by stress or environmental cues), depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), anxiety and irritability, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and low energy and motivation.
PAWS significantly increases relapse risk and requires ongoing support and treatment.
While opioid withdrawal itself is rarely fatal, attempting unsupervised withdrawal carries serious risks including severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia from vomiting, cardiovascular complications, seizures in some cases, extreme psychological distress and suicidal thoughts, and extremely high relapse risk (often to higher, dangerous doses).
Medically supervised detox at our detox facility provides safety, comfort, and foundation for successful recovery.
Medication-assisted treatment combining FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies represents the most effective approach for opioid use disorder. Research consistently demonstrates superior outcomes compared to abstinence-only treatment.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade) Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that activates opioid receptors but produces much weaker effects than full agonists. This unique property makes it extremely valuable in treatment. Benefits include dramatically reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, lower abuse potential due to ceiling effect, safer overdose profile than full agonists, allowing patients to function normally, and available in various formulations.
Common formulations are Suboxone (buprenorphine + naloxone), Subutex (buprenorphine alone), Sublocade (monthly injection), and Zubsolv (sublingual tablet).
Methadone Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist used in treatment for over 50 years. When taken daily at appropriate doses, it eliminates withdrawal symptoms, blocks effects of other opioids, reduces cravings, allows normal functioning, and has extensive research supporting effectiveness.
Methadone requires daily clinic visits initially, with take-home doses earned through program compliance. Its long half-life provides stable blood levels, preventing the highs and lows of short-acting opioids.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol, ReVia) Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opioid receptors, preventing euphoria if opioids are used. Benefits include no abuse potential or physical dependence, blocking effects of opioids, reducing cravings in some patients, and monthly injection formulation available (Vivitrol).
Naltrexone requires complete detoxification before starting (7-10 days opioid-free) to avoid precipitated withdrawal. It works best for highly motivated patients with strong support systems.
MAT medications normalize brain chemistry disrupted by addiction, allowing the brain to heal while reducing cravings and withdrawal. This creates a stable foundation for therapeutic work addressing psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Research demonstrates that MAT provides reduced overdose mortality (50% decrease), improved treatment retention, decreased illicit opioid use, reduced criminal activity, improved employment and social functioning, better management of co-occurring conditions, and higher quality of life.
Studies show MAT participants maintain sobriety at significantly higher rates than those in abstinence-only programs.
MAT is not short-term. Research indicates optimal outcomes with long-term or indefinite maintenance. For many, MAT medications function like any other long-term medication managing chronic disease. The decision about duration should be individualized, based on clinical judgment, patient preference, and recovery stability.
At Refine Recovery, we provide comprehensive MAT alongside intensive residential treatment and therapy, creating integrated care optimizing outcomes.
While MAT provides crucial biological support, lasting recovery requires addressing psychological, behavioral, and social dimensions of addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) CBT helps clients identify triggers and high-risk situations, challenge distorted thinking patterns, develop coping strategies for cravings, recognize and modify drug-seeking behaviors, address underlying issues contributing to addiction, and build relapse prevention skills. Research demonstrates strong evidence for CBT effectiveness in opioid addiction treatment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) DBT provides practical skills particularly valuable for opioid recovery: mindfulness for managing cravings, distress tolerance for uncomfortable emotions, emotion regulation strategies, interpersonal effectiveness skills, and impulse control development. Many individuals with opioid addiction have trauma histories and emotion regulation difficulties, making DBT especially beneficial.
Contingency Management This evidence-based approach uses positive reinforcement for verified abstinence. Clients receive tangible rewards (vouchers, privileges) for drug-free urine tests. Research shows contingency management significantly improves treatment retention and abstinence rates.
Individual Therapy One-on-one sessions provide personalized support addressing trauma histories, co-occurring mental health conditions, relationship problems, identity and self-worth issues, shame and guilt, and individualized relapse prevention planning.
Group Therapy Group therapy offers unique benefits including shared experiences reducing isolation, learning from others’ successes and challenges, accountability and encouragement, developing social support networks, practicing interpersonal skills, and cost-effective treatment delivery.
Family Therapy Opioid addiction profoundly affects families. Our family therapy program helps loved ones understand addiction as a brain disease, recognize and modify enabling behaviors, establish healthy boundaries, improve communication patterns, process hurt and rebuild trust, and create supportive home environments.
Physical Fitness and Exercise Regular exercise supports opioid recovery through natural endorphin production, stress and anxiety reduction, improved sleep quality, physical health restoration, mood improvement, and healthy routine development. Our state-of-the-art fitness center and certified trainers help clients rebuild physical strength.
Mindfulness and Meditation Mindfulness practice helps manage the restlessness and cravings common in early recovery through present-moment awareness, reduced stress reactivity, improved emotional regulation, enhanced impulse control, and non-judgmental observation of cravings (allowing them to pass without acting).
Yoga Therapy Yoga combines physical movement, breathing techniques, and meditation providing comprehensive benefits for opioid recovery: reduced anxiety and depression, pain management without medication, mind-body reconnection, improved flexibility and strength, and stress management skills.
Nutritional Counseling Opioid use severely impacts nutrition. Our nutritional approach addresses nutrient deficiencies common in addiction, gut health restoration, blood sugar stabilization affecting mood, anti-inflammatory diet supporting brain healing, and healthy eating pattern development.
Acupuncture This traditional practice shows promise for opioid recovery including withdrawal symptom reduction, pain management, anxiety and stress relief, sleep improvement, and craving reduction.
Research indicates extremely high rates of co-occurring mental health conditions among individuals with opioid use disorder. Our dual diagnosis program provides integrated treatment for both conditions simultaneously.
Depression and Mood Disorders Depression frequently co-occurs with opioid addiction in a bidirectional relationship. Opioids temporarily alleviate depression symptoms, creating self-medication patterns. However, chronic opioid use worsens depression through neurochemical disruptions. Additionally, opioid withdrawal causes profound depression requiring careful management.
Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety commonly co-occur with opioid addiction. Opioids provide temporary anxiety relief but worsen symptoms long-term through tolerance and withdrawal effects.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Trauma histories are extremely common among individuals with opioid addiction. Many use opioids to numb trauma-related symptoms. However, opioids prevent trauma processing and ultimately worsen PTSD. Trauma-informed treatment is essential.
Chronic Pain The relationship between chronic pain and opioid addiction is complex. Many individuals develop addiction after receiving opioid prescriptions for legitimate pain. Successfully treating opioid addiction in chronic pain patients requires alternative pain management strategies including non-opioid medications, physical therapy, interventional procedures, psychological pain management, and lifestyle modifications.
Other Substance Use Disorders Polysubstance use is common among opioid users, particularly alcohol, benzodiazepines (extremely dangerous combination), cocaine or methamphetamine, and marijuana. Our polysubstance treatment addresses multiple dependencies simultaneously.
Rather than treating conditions separately, we provide unified care where one treatment team addresses all conditions, psychiatric medications support mental health, therapy addresses interactions between conditions, and treatment plans evolve based on progress across all areas.
Opioid addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition. Relapse rates without proper treatment can reach 90%. Comprehensive relapse prevention is essential for sustained recovery.
Common triggers include stress and negative emotions, chronic pain, environmental cues and associations, social pressure and relationships with active users, overconfidence and reduced vigilance, unmanaged mental health conditions, and medical procedures requiring pain management.
Identifying Personal Triggers We help clients map their unique trigger landscape including people, places, emotions, situations, times of day, and thoughts or memories.
Developing Coping Strategies Recovery requires building healthy alternatives: stress management techniques, emotion regulation skills, urge surfing (riding out cravings without acting), distraction and redirection, reaching out for support, and physical activity.
Recognizing Warning Signs Relapse typically follows predictable patterns with warning signs: romanticizing past use, increasing isolation, stopping meetings or therapy, relationship conflicts, poor self-care, emotional instability, and engaging in risky behaviors.
Emergency Planning Every client develops a relapse prevention plan including personal triggers and warning signs, coping strategies for high-risk situations, emergency contacts for support, MAT medication adherence plans, and steps to take if slip or relapse occurs.
Our life skills program teaches practical capabilities including healthy relationship building, communication and assertiveness, problem-solving strategies, time management, financial planning, career development, and stress management.
Recovery extends far beyond initial treatment. Our aftercare planning ensures continued success.
MAT Continuation For clients on buprenorphine or naltrexone, we coordinate transitions to local providers ensuring uninterrupted medication access.
Outpatient Therapy Continued individual and group therapy helps maintain progress and address emerging challenges.
Support Groups Mutual support groups provide ongoing peer support: Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, and Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous (specifically for those on MAT).
Sober Living Structured sober living environments provide additional support during transition including peer accountability, drug testing, structured schedules, and recovery-focused community.
Alumni Programming Our alumni network offers continued connection through regular events, online forums, mentorship opportunities, and continuing resources.
Our exclusive Beverly Hills facility provides resort-style amenities ensuring you can focus entirely on recovery.
Spacious private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, comfortable furnishings, and luxurious bedding provide quiet spaces for rest and reflection.
Chef-prepared meals using fresh, high-quality ingredients support physical healing while introducing healthy eating patterns.
State-of-the-art gym, pool, spa, and outdoor spaces support physical recovery and stress management.
Complete confidentiality for executives, professionals, and high-profile individuals seeking discreet care.
Visit our luxury facility page for more details.
MAT Expertise: Experienced medical team providing comprehensive medication-assisted treatment
Truly Personalized Care: Individualized treatment plans addressing your unique needs
Integrated Dual Diagnosis: Simultaneous treatment for addiction and mental health
Evidence-Based Excellence: Protocols reflecting current research and best practices
Luxury Environment: Resort-style comfort supporting healing
Complete Continuum: Seamless care from detox through aftercare
Proven Outcomes: Strong track record of successful long-term recovery
Living with opioid addiction is exhausting and dangerous. But recovery is possible. With proper treatment, you can safely detox, address underlying conditions, develop healthy coping strategies, rebuild damaged relationships, restore physical health, and build a life of freedom and purpose.
Call us now at (866) 890-9573 or contact us online. Our admissions team is available 24/7. Every conversation is completely confidential.
Don’t let another day pass under opioid control. The support and expertise you need are available right now at Refine Recovery.
For more information, explore our pages on what we treat, medical detox, and residential treatment.
Our residential inpatient program offers a safe and serene environment where clients can focus fully on their recovery. As a premier facility in Beverly Hills, Refine Recovery provides luxury accommodations that combine the comforts of home with the structure needed for healing. Our clients enjoy private rooms, gourmet meals prepared by an on-site chef, and holistic wellness activities designed to support recovery from the inside out. We understand that recovery is a deeply personal process, and our team works closely with each client to create a customized treatment plan that aligns with their needs and goals. With round-the-clock medical supervision and access to experienced addiction specialists, our residential inpatient program ensures that clients are never alone during their journey to sobriety.
Detoxification is often the first step in opioid addiction treatment, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Opioid withdrawal symptoms are severe and can be dangerous if not managed properly. That’s why Refine Recovery offers medication-assisted detox to ensure our clients are safe and comfortable throughout the process.
During detox, our medical team monitors clients closely, providing medications and therapies to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Our goal is to make the detox process as smooth and painless as possible, allowing clients to focus on the next steps in their recovery journey.
At Refine Recovery, we employ a variety of evidence-based therapies proven to help individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Each client’s treatment plan may include a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic modalities that address both the physical and emotional aspects of addiction.
Helps clients identify and change harmful thought patterns that contribute to addiction.
Teaches clients coping strategies to manage stress and emotional dysregulation.
Combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to reduce cravings and prevent relapse
Involves loved ones in the healing process, fostering understanding and support for long-term recovery.
By addressing the underlying causes of addiction and equipping clients with practical tools for coping our opioid rehab program empowers individuals to reclaim their lives.
At Refine Recovery, we believe in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Alongside traditional therapy, we offer holistic wellness activities to promote overall well-being and healing.
Clients in our opioid rehab program have access to
Practices that enhance mindfulness and emotional regulation.
Creative outlets that allow clients to process emotions and express themselves.
A therapeutic method that helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce stress.
Access to an on-site gym, where clients can work with personal trainers to rebuild physical strength
and stamina. These activities not only support recovery but also provide clients with new ways to enjoy
life and manage stress without relying on substances.
Many individuals struggling with opioid addiction also face co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related conditions. These conditions often fuel addiction, making it difficult to achieve lasting recovery without addressing both issues simultaneously.
At Refine Recovery, we offer dual diagnosis treatment to ensure that clients receive comprehensive care for both their addiction and mental health. Our team of experts is trained in treating complex cases where addiction and mental health disorders overlap, providing integrated treatment plans that promote long-term healing.
In addition to opioid addiction, Refine Recovery specializes in treating a variety of substance use disorders. From alcohol and prescription drugs to stimulants and benzodiazepines, our team is experienced in managing multiple forms of addiction. Our customized approach ensures that each client receives the specific care they need, regardless of the substance they are struggling with.
To learn more about the range of conditions we address, visit our What We Treat page.
Refine Recovery stands out from other rehab facilities for our commitment to providing high-quality, luxury addiction treatment in a supportive, welcoming environment. Located in the exclusive area of Beverly Hills, our facility offers clients an escape from the stressors of everyday life, allowing them to focus entirely on their recovery.
Private rooms, gourmet meals, and a serene environment designed for healing.
A team of addiction specialists, therapists, and medical professionals dedicated to each client’s success.
Individualized care that addresses both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Access to a variety of holistic therapies that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Refine Recovery today to learn more about our opioid rehab program and take the first step toward a healthier, substance-free life.
Take the first step towards lasting sobriety.
Every moment matters when it comes to your recovery. One Decision Can Change Your Life – Make This One Count.
