Opioid Addiction Crisis: Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery Options

Discover how opioid addiction develops, who is at risk, and how Arista Recovery provides holistic, evidence-based care for lasting change.

Jul 24, 2025 by Arista Recovery Staff

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Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick look at the following page:

  • The Scope of the Opioid Crisis: Opioid addiction is a national emergency affecting individuals, families, and communities – including those in Kansas and the Midwest.
  • Types and Effects of Opioids: There are several differences between prescription opioids, fentanyl, and heroin, along with the short- and long-term effects on the body and mind.
  • Risk Factors and Mental Health Impact: Factors like trauma, chronic pain, mental illness, and early exposure increase the risk of opioid dependence and complicate recovery.
  • Treatment Options at Arista Recovery: Arista Recovery provides a full continuum of care, from medical detox to outpatient therapy, all of which is tailored to each person’s needs and supported by licensed professionals.
  • Family Support and Long-Term Healing: Family involvement, education, and alumni programs can play a key role in lasting recovery and rebuilding healthy relationships.

If you or a loved one is facing opioid addiction, know that you are not alone. Connect with Arista Recovery today for the guidance you need to create a happy, healthy, and sober tomorrow.

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Finding Hope Amid the Opioid Addiction Crisis

The opioid addiction crisis is one of the most devastating public health emergencies in the United States. Every year, tens of thousands of lives are lost to overdose, and countless more are impacted by chronic opioid use disorder (OUD).

At Arista Recovery, we meet individuals at their most vulnerable, with compassion, expertise, and the belief that real healing is always possible. Our comprehensive, trauma-informed programs address addiction at its root, helping clients and families rebuild from the inside out.

The Opioid Addiction Crisis: A National Emergency

Opioid addiction often starts with a simple pain that requires a prescription after surgery, a remedy for chronic discomfort, or a momentary relief. 

However, for millions, what begins as medical management becomes a life-altering dependence. The opioid addiction crisis has carved a path of devastation across the United States, affecting individuals, their families, communities, and healthcare systems.

Finding care that comprehensively treats opioid addiction is imperative for helping individuals move forward toward a healthier life.

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What Is Opioid Addiction?

Opioid addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by a compulsive need to use opioid drugs, such as prescription painkillers (oxycodone, hydrocodone), heroin, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl, despite harmful consequences. 

Over time, these substances hijack the brain’s reward system, creating a powerful dependency that can feel nearly impossible to break without help.1

A Crisis of Unprecedented Scale

Here are some statistics that highlight how dire the opioid addiction crisis has become in recent years:

  • Nearly 105,000 Americans died from overdoses in 2023. Of those, approximately 80,000 (76%) involved opioids.2
  • Illicit fentanyl and fake pills continue to drive overdose deaths in the Kansas City region. Additionally, in 2021, Missouri reported over 2,000 drug-related deaths, about 70% linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.3
  • Veterans are disproportionately affected by the opioid overdose crisis. Between 2010 and 2019, overdose mortality rates among U.S. military veterans increased by 53%.4

At Arista Recovery, we see the faces behind the numbers. We’ve walked alongside families searching for hope, and individuals fighting for their lives. That’s why our mission goes beyond treating symptoms to help rebuild lives from the inside out.

Understanding Effects and Risk Factors of Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs used primarily for pain relief. While some are legally prescribed, others are illegally manufactured and sold. All opioids carry a high risk of dependence, even when used exactly as prescribed.5

Some of the most common forms of opioids involved in substance use disorder (SUD) include:

  • Prescription opioids (e.g., Oxycodone, Vicodin, Morphine) are often prescribed after surgery or injury.
  • Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are highly potent and increasingly found mixed into other street drugs.
  • Illicit opioids such as heroin are commonly used when prescription access is lost or tolerance increases.

Side Effects: Physical and Mental Toll

The opioid addiction crisis can impact nearly every part of the body and brain rather than just numbing the pain. Over time, the effects can be damaging – even deadly.

Some of the most common side effects of the opioid addiction crisis include:6

  • Euphoria or sedation
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Slowed breathing and heart rate
  • Tolerance (needing more for the same effect)
  • Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Liver damage
  • Increased sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia)
  • Anxiety, depression, and emotional instability
  • Sleep problems and cognitive fog

Depending on how severe the addiction is, these symptoms can vary from person to person. 

Who Is Most at Risk?

The opioid addiction crisis can affect anyone, but some factors raise the risk of someone developing SUD, including:7

  • Family or personal history of addiction increases vulnerability.
  • Chronic pain can lead to long-term use and dependence.
  • Co-occurring mental health disorders like PTSD or anxiety often drive misuse.
  • Early exposure during adolescence impacts brain development and judgment.
  • Lack of access to pain alternatives forces reliance on opioids.
  • Isolation and trauma create emotional voids that opioids temporarily fill. 

No matter who is struggling, healing is about more than just removing the drug. It’s about restoring mental health, building resilience, and learning new ways to cope.

Find Compassionate Healing at Arista Recovery

Starting to heal from the opioid addiction crisis is overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’re taking the first step or seeking help for someone you love, Arista Recovery is here to walk alongside you. 

We don’t just treat the addiction – we help you reclaim your life.

Levels of Care: A Full Continuum of Support

We offer a seamless path through recovery, from detox to aftercare. Wherever you are in your journey, there’s a place for you here.

Medical Detox

A safe, supervised environment can help manage withdrawal symptoms from the opioid addiction crisis with 24/7 medical oversight. Our team at our Paola campus ensures physical comfort, emotional support, and immediate care during this critical first step in recovery.

Sub-Acute Detox

This is designed for clients who have stabilized but still need structured support. Sub-acute detox provides clinical oversight, medication management, and therapeutic check-ins in a less intensive setting than medical detox.

Inpatient Drug Rehab (Residential)

Located on our serene Paola, Kansas campus, this level offers 24/7 care in a structured, home-like environment. Individuals engage in daily therapy, trauma work, and holistic healing, away from everyday triggers and distractions.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

A highly structured, full-day treatment option that allows clients to return home or to sober living at night. A PHP bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care while supporting skill-building and relapse prevention.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

An IOP offers a balance of autonomy and support as clients transition back into work, school, or family life. These programs often include individual therapy, group sessions, and flexible scheduling to maintain recovery momentum.

Outpatient Drug Program

Our outpatient programs, including the IOP, are offered at our Overland Park location. They are ideal for individuals who are further along in recovery and need continued accountability. 

Outpatient options provide regular check-ins, group therapy, and relapse prevention strategies while also supporting long-term wellness.

Aftercare & Alumni Program

We believe recovery is a lifelong journey. Our aftercare planning includes relapse prevention tools, community resources, and access to an active alumni network offering ongoing connection and encouragement.

Treatment Opportunities for Opioid Addiction Crisis at Arista Recovery 

No two clients are the same, and neither are their treatment plans. At Arista Recovery, we combine evidence-based therapies with holistic experiences to meet the unique needs of every individual.

Evidence-Based Therapies

Evidence-based options form the basis of many opioid addiction crisis treatment plans. Some methods we utilize at Arista Recovery include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns to change destructive behaviors and improve emotional regulation.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation, which are all especially helpful for individuals with intense emotions or self-harm tendencies.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

This is a client-centered approach that enhances motivation to change by helping individuals explore and resolve ambivalence.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

REBT focuses on challenging irrational beliefs and replacing them with healthier, rational thoughts for emotional well-being.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MAT is not required for everyone, but it is often recommended for many individuals who are struggling with symptoms from the opioid addiction crisis. MAT combines FDA-approved medications with therapy to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and support long-term recovery.

Psychoeducational Groups

These are group sessions that teach clients about addiction, relapse prevention, coping strategies, and the science of recovery.

Experiential & Holistic Therapies

Arista Recovery also recognizes the importance of holistic healing options for a comprehensive recovery.

Some common holistic treatments we may include in treatment include:

Equine Therapy 

Working with horses promotes emotional growth, confidence, and communication skills. 

At Arista Recovery, equine therapy helps clients develop trust, set boundaries, and process emotions in a nonjudgmental space. Working alongside these gentle animals often brings insight that words alone cannot reach.

Art Therapy

This encourages self-expression and emotional exploration using visual art as a therapeutic medium. Guided by trained art therapists, clients use creativity to process trauma, reduce stress, and express feelings that may be difficult to verbalize. 

No artistic skill is needed to heal with art therapy from the opioid addiction crisis – just a willingness to try.

Music Therapy

Whether through songwriting, rhythm exercises, or guided listening, music therapy helps clients release emotion and build deeper emotional awareness. It can also improve focus, relaxation, and connection with others.

Yoga & Meditation

These help clients build inner awareness and foster mind-body connection through movement and mindfulness. These practices also help support emotional regulation, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being. 

At Arista Recovery, sessions are tailored to all ability levels and grounded in trauma-informed care.

Nutritional Counseling (On-Site Chef)

Our on-site chef can help individuals nourish their bodies after the opioid addiction crisis may have hindered their physical recovery. 

Clients receive personalized support to rebuild healthy habits and enjoy food as a source of strength.

Recreational Therapy & Horticulture Therapy

These therapies incorporate nature, gardening, and outdoor activities to promote healing, reduce stress, and increase joy and purpose. Whether planting in the garden, taking a nature walk, or engaging in play-based activities, these therapies help clients reconnect with their bodies and the present moment. 

Family Involvement in the Healing Journey

The opioid addiction crisis affects the entire family, not just the individual. That’s why Arista Recovery includes family integration as a core part of treatment, when appropriate. 

We provide:

  • Family therapy sessions
  • Education on boundaries and communication
  • Support for codependency and enabling behaviors
  • Alumni family events and long-term resources

Healing relationships is just as important as healing the body, and our team is here to help.

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Finding Care and Treatment at Arista Recovery

Whether you’re looking for treatment for yourself or someone you love, Arista Recovery in the Kansas City region offers a place to start over with dignity, support, and real clinical care. 

Our team understands that the opioid addiction crisis affects every part of life, and we’re here to help you rebuild from the ground up. 

Reach Out for Holistic Treatment

From the moment you reach out, you’ll be met with understanding – not judgment. Our licensed therapists, medical professionals, and trauma-informed specialists walk this road with you, step by step.

Whether you need detox, residential care, or flexible outpatient options, we’ll help you find a path forward that feels safe, sustainable, and empowering.

Call us today or visit our admissions page to start a confidential conversation. At Arista Recovery, hope is a plan – and it begins with you. We’ll be with you to ensure that you get the comprehensive treatment you need for long-term healing.

Resources: 

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553166/ 
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html 
  3. https://www.dea.gov/engage/operation-engage-kansascity 
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35792749/ 
  5. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids#opioids 
  6. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/opioid-use-disorder 
  7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29049118/
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FAQs About the Opioid Addiction Crisis

Some common questions we receive about the opioid addiction crisis include:

Start Your Journey to Recovery with Arista Recovery

At Arista Recovery, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you overcome addiction and anxiety. Our compassionate team is here to guide you toward lasting healing and a brighter future. Call us today at 877-845-9545—we’re available 24/7 to support your recovery journey.

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