Opioid addiction (also known as Opioid use disorder or OUD) is the inability to stop using opioids. While opioids can reduce pain and create a feeling of pleasure, individuals that are dependent on or addicted to opioids are at risk of fatally overdosing.
At Southeastern Recovery Center in Charlotte, NC, we provide comprehensive, compassionate treatment for opioid addiction. Our programs are designed to help facilitate individuals safely into detox, then transitioning into our 30 day program to understand the root causes of addiction, and build lasting recovery with support from a dedicated clinical team. Our team isn’t just qualified; we genuinely care because many staff members have experienced the toll of addiction ourselves.
What Are Opioids and Why Are They Addictive? Opioids are narcotic drugs. They’re addictive because they release dopamine and alleviate pain.
Why Are Opioids a Concern in North Carolina (and Charlotte)? Opioids are concerned because there’s an ongoing opioid crisis in North Carolina. The state is experiencing an increasing number of overdoses.
How Does Opioid Addiction Start? Opioid addiction starts when an individual is either prescribed the drug or begins to take it recreationally.
How to Recognize Opioid Addiction. Signs such as moodiness, needing higher doses of opioids, and isolation are signs of an opioid addiction.
How to Detox from Opioids Safely. Rather than trying to detox from opioids at home, it is better to seek a medically supervised detox program.
How Long Does Opioid Withdrawal Last? Opioid withdrawal can last up to seven days.
How Is Opioid Addiction Treated in North Carolina? Southeastern Recovery Center uses a mix of medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programs to provide rehab for opioids.
How Can Families Help Someone Addicted to Opioids? Families can help someone addicted to opioids by taking part in treatments and doing their own research into how opioids rewire an individual’s mind.
How to Prevent Relapse After Opioid Rehab. Southeastern Recovery Center makes use of continued therapy, healthy coping strategies, and access to alumni networks to help individuals prevent relapse after opioid rehab.
How to Choose the Right Rehab for Opioids in Charlotte. Look for accreditation and experience with opioids.
How Treatment Works at Southeastern Recovery Center. Southeastern Recovery Center makes use of an intake assessment to create a personalized plan to help you with your opioid rehabilitation.
Why Choose Southeastern Recovery Center. Southeastern Recovery Center creates personalized treatment plans to serve patients from all over North Carolina, not just Charlotte.
We get it; facing opioid addiction is really frightening, and the idea of getting help can seem too hard to even think about. But you don't have to go through it alone. Many of us at Southeastern Recovery Center have been in your shoes and have made it through the tough journey to recovery. We know it takes bravery to say you need help, and we're here to guide you at every turn. Our team isn't just qualified; we genuinely care because many staff members have experienced the toll of addiction ourselves.
This mix of skills and heart is what lets us offer more than just treatment—we provide a personalized plan to help you lead a healthier, happier life. So even if things look tough now, remember that with us, you've got a supportive community ready to help you make a fresh start.
Southeastern Recovery Center is more than just a place to receive treatment for addiction; it's a place where you can truly start to heal from opioid addiction for the long term. Our program tackles recovery from all angles, focusing on your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. If you or someone you care about is dealing with opioid addiction, consider starting a better future with us at SERC.
Opioids are in the narcotic class of drugs that are used to provide pain relief. In some cases, opioids are legally prescribed by medical professionals in manageable doses. In other cases, they’re sold as illegal street drugs, such as in the case of heroin and fentanyl.
Opioids are addictive because they trigger the release of endorphins in your brain. Endorphins signal to your mind (and your body) that you are feeling good. This feeling of pleasure can become very desirable for individuals, leading them to take improper dosages of opioids.
From there, the body will begin to grow dependent on having opioids present. Your brain will rewire how it functions with the assumption that opioids will be around to produce endorphins. This is how an opioid dependence develops. As a result, stopping opioid usage might trigger withdrawal symptoms.
In other words, not only might an individual crave for the feeling of pleasure that opioids create, but the mind itself will grow dependent on opioid usage. This is why opioids were so addictive and so dangerous.
The initial stage in the journey to recovery is detoxification, which is crucial for cleansing the body of harmful substances. For those grappling with opioid addiction, undergoing detox under medical supervision is essential. Withdrawal from opioids isn't merely uncomfortable; it can also pose serious health risks.
Medical support is vital for managing symptoms such as extreme agitation, nausea, and potentially severe complications. If necessary, Southeastern Recovery Center can help you locate a nearby detox facility that specializes in opioid withdrawal management.
The nation at large is undergoing an opioid crisis partially due to the popularity of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is among the most potent in the drug class, more addictive overall. But it’s not the only opioid causing issues.
When we look at North Carolina locally:
Opioid overdoses are trending upwards in North Carolina, pointing to increased access to an abuse of opioids. Even if an individual recognizes that the growing depended on opioids, trying to do rehab for opioids at home is risky without guidance for medical professionals.
If you or someone you love in Charlotte, NC, is struggling with opioid dependence, it’s important to know that help is available and recovery is absolutely possible.
For most people, the uses of opioids will begin with a doctor prescribing them for pain relief. In these cases, doctors are usually very responsible about the doses they recommend for patients, but it’s possible that patients might misunderstand or miss use their dosage, leading to them developing a dependence.
In other cases, people might seek to use opioids recreationally. This could mean purchasing pills without a prescription, or doing street drugs like heroin or fentanyl. Sometimes individuals seek these drugs for their pleasurable effects. Other times, individuals try to self medicate for issues they might have such as anxiety or body pain.
In Charlotte and across North Carolina, we see a variety of initial causes leading individuals to start using opioids and suddenly find that they are unable to quit without professional help.
It’s important to be able to recognize when an individual is experiencing an opioid addiction or dependence. Here are some of the common red flags:
If you notice these patterns in yourself or someone else, it’s time to seek professional support. Southeastern Recovery Center helps facilitate medical detox and then integration into our 30-day therapy programs in Charlotte, designed specifically for opioid and other drug and alcohol addictions.
As the opioid problem affects people all over the country, Southeastern Recovery Center (SERC) is a safe place that offers expert help for those dealing with opioid addiction. Our program uses the latest medical treatments, along with whole-body healing methods and a caring community to give you more than just a way to get clean. We offer a complete plan for a healthier, better life.
It’s important that you don’t try to detox from opioids at home. While this can occasionally work, it’s dangerous, since having developed an opioid dependence means that you will experience physical and mental symptoms once you cease using the drug. The resulting anxiety, muscle aches, nausea, and other symptoms can cause an individual to relapse.
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we help facilitate clients into our medically supervised detox partner programs to help clients safely and comfortably eliminate opioids from their system. Once detox is completed & clients enter our 30 day program, our medical team provides continuous monitoring, symptom management, and hydration support to minimize discomfort and prevent complications.
Southeastern Recovery Center also goes beyond addressing the need to rehab for opioids. We dig deeper, addressing that cause an individual to develop a dependence on opioids in the first place. This sets our patients up for long-term success.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms 6 to 12 hours after your last use of the drug, though exact details will depend on the specific drug and the duration of your use.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms usually peak around 2 to 3 days after your last dosage. For most individuals, these unpleasant symptoms will dissipate after 5 to 7 days. However, some people may experience the symptoms for longer.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
These withdrawal symptoms are rarely life-threatening but unpleasant enough that they can cause an individual to experience an opioid relapse. That’s why it’s important to have an effective support system in place before you attempt rehab for opioids.
At our Charlotte facility, clients receive continued support through therapy, counseling, and relapse prevention programs as soon as their opioid detox is complete.
At Southeastern Recovery Center, our approach to opioid addiction treatment is both scientific and compassionate. We understand that addiction doesn’t happen in isolation, it’s influenced by mental health, trauma, lifestyle, and environment. Some of our professionals have intimate experience with drug addiction themselves.
Our treatment programs include:
Each treatment plan is personalized, ensuring that every client receives the care that fits their needs, goals, and pace. This is the best way to improve the odds that rehab for opioids lasts.
Opioid dependence and addiction impacts the entire family, but family support can play a significant role in recovery success.
Families in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina can help by:
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we provide family programs that help loved ones rebuild trust, improve communication, and create a shared understanding of recovery. The more support someone suffering from opioid addiction, the more likely it is that they’ll be able to achieve full rehabilitation.
Recovery from addiction doesn’t end when treatment does. Maintaining sobriety from opioids requires ongoing support and structure.
Our relapse prevention planning helps clients in Charlotte and across North Carolina stay grounded through:
Relapse is not failure, it’s a signal that additional support may be needed. With the right guidance, long-term recovery from opioid addiction is absolutely achievable.
Finding the right treatment center in Charlotte, NC, or elsewhere in North Carolina, can feel overwhelming. Here are key factors to look for:
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we meet all of these criteria and more. Our focus on integrity, compassion, and clinical excellence has made us one of North Carolina’s most trusted rehab and detox providers.
From your first phone call to the day you graduate from treatment, our team provides step-by-step support.
Our mission is simple: to provide the highest level of care possible so that every client leaves stronger, healthier, and ready to thrive.
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about what to expect when getting help for drug or alcohol addiction, please fill out our brief form and download the eBook. You can also give our admissions team a call & we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Help is only a call away!
If you or a loved are struggling with alcohol addiction, please reach out to our team today. Many treatment centers take a one-size-fits-all approach when treating addiction which isn't effective...At SERC, we understand that each client has their own story which led them to seeking help. We put emphasis on individualized care, tailoring treatment based on the specific needs of each client.

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At Southeastern Recovery Center, we believe recovery is more than sobriety, it’s rebuilding life with purpose and clarity. Our Charlotte-based facility provides a safe, welcoming space where clients can focus fully on healing.
We serve individuals from Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, and throughout North Carolina who are seeking trusted, compassionate care for opioid addiction and other substance use disorders.
Our experienced team, state-of-the-art facility, and commitment to personalized care make us a leading choice for those seeking freedom from opioid addiction in North Carolina.