People who become dependent on these opioids can experience severe side effects, such as withdrawal symptoms that occur as a result of stopping their opioid use suddenly. If you have developed an opioid addiction, the first step to recovery is opioid detox. If you or someone you love is grappling with this disorder and needs help, there is no time like the present to get it. Don’t wait until things get worse; call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) today to seek safe, effective care for opioid withdrawal.

Understanding Opioid Detox

Opioids are medications that contain specific chemicals that bind to the brain and body to block pain. These chemicals create a relaxing sensation as well as treat the sensation of pain. These medications are often prescribed for people who have painful medical conditions, such as those who are recovering from injuries or who have just had surgery. Unfortunately, these medications are prone to misuse because they can produce euphoric effects, and they are also highly addictive.

As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some of the most popular opioid drugs in the United States today—as well as some of the most highly abused medications—include:

All of these drugs are frequently abused for their ability to cause a euphoric high when taken in large doses. Similar to these substances are heroin and opium, which are no longer used medically and are considered to be illicit opioids. Still, all of these drugs cause a dependency in those who take them regularly and often, even those who do not abuse them. This is why doctors try to avoid putting patients on a regular treatment regimen with opioids for more than a few weeks, although sometimes this is necessary.

Opioid detox is a vital part of the recovery process for people who become dependent on these drugs. It is a professional treatment for recovery where patients are given medications and other treatment options to minimize their withdrawal symptoms, reduce their cravings, and help them become more stable, all while medical staff monitor them for complications. It is always safer to put a patient in an opioid detox center, rather than to let them go through withdrawal alone.

We want to help you find local opioid detox centers available in your area. Whether you need help for yourself or a loved one, call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) today.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be painful and uncomfortable, but they vary significantly from one person to the next. According to the National Library of Medicine, they feel similar to a severe case of the flu. The most common symptoms include:

These symptoms are not a sign of addiction but of dependence. Anyone who uses opioids often and regularly for a long period of time—at least a few weeks—is susceptible to dependence. Even if you haven’t been abusing these drugs, you will likely still require treatment in a professional detox center, as this is the safest way to undergo withdrawal. However, detox on its own is not a cure for addiction and must be followed up by rehab treatment.

Cause of Opioid Withdrawal

When you’re taking opioids for a prolonged period of time, your body adjusts many of its functions and processes to depend on those opioids being present. When you stop taking them, your body reacts in many different ways because there are so many of your body’s systems that have grown accustomed to the opioids. It takes time for your body to clear the opioids out of your system and also to adapt to functioning without them, and that adjustment process causes withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid Withdrawal in Babies

There is another form of opioid withdrawal that is also very dangerous. This occurs when a pregnant individual takes opioids and the baby becomes dependent. When the baby is born, it’s no longer receiving opioids from its mother, so the baby can experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Sneezing
• Seizures
• Rapid breathing
• Vomiting
• Excessive sucking and crying
• Fever

According to the National Library of Medicine, this is a potentially life-threatening syndrome called neonatal abstinence syndrome that requires treatment immediately.

If you are already dependent on these drugs and afraid of experiencing intense withdrawal symptoms, call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) now. We can help you locate opioid detox programs that will allow you to recover according to your personal needs.

How Long Will Opioid Detox Take?

The timeline of opioid detox depends heavily on the methods used to treat the issue as well as your overall health, how severe your opioid use is, and other factors. While some detox treatments are focused on making the process as short as possible, even going so far as to induce withdrawal under sedation, which is called rapid detox. Others are more intent on helping the patient become stabilized through a more gradual process. However, the general timeline of medical detox for opioid drugs takes about a week or two.

• The onset of withdrawal usually begins when the person would have next used the drug, according to Cambridge Health Alliance’s Division on Addictions. With short-acting opioids like heroin, this could be as soon as 4-6 hours after the last dose. With longer-acting drugs like methadone, this could be as long as 12-24 hours after the last dose.
• Once withdrawal begins, most patients experience the intense pain and discomfort that is dreaded among opioid-dependent individuals. This is because the drug is no longer there to prevent painful symptoms. Pain and flu-like symptoms are the breakout experiences during this period of withdrawal. It usually lasts about 2 to 3 days.
• The second stage of opioid withdrawal usually sees the patient experiencing diarrhea and vomiting. They may also experience lingering symptoms from the first stage of withdrawal. This stage usually lasts 3 to 4 days.
• The final stage of withdrawal sees a minimization of these intense symptoms, but it is still uncomfortable. It is also dangerous for patients to leave treatment early, as they cannot know for certain if they have stopped experiencing severe effects. The final stage can last as long as 5 days in some cases or as little as one day.

The most important thing to remember is that a detox center is always safer than going it alone. Whatever method you choose to withdraw, make sure it is in a safe, professional opioid detox program where you can be watched over by healthcare professionals. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) now to learn more about your options for treatment.

Are There Dangers to Opioid Withdrawal?

Many people mistakenly believe opioid withdrawal to be safe and not life-threatening like alcohol withdrawal. Although the symptoms usually don’t create a deadly side effect, this is a possible outcome of opioid withdrawal, which means there is always a potential for serious issues to occur. That’s why it is always better to go through withdrawal in an opioid detox center where medical staff can keep you safe, rather than withdrawing at home.

Some symptoms of opioid withdrawal might sound manageable but they can become severe or lead to serious risks. These include:

Vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating

These symptoms may seem benign, but if an individual starts to experience them all at the same time, it can make the body extremely dehydrated. This can even lead to serious dehydration requiring hospitalization if the individual is not prepared or isn’t able to keep water down enough to rehydrate.

Depression

Many people become very sad or depressed when they go through opioid withdrawal. Some people become so depressed that they begin to experience suicidal thoughts. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if the individual doesn’t understand why they are feeling this way and doesn’t have proper care to prevent suicide.

Decreased appetite

Between nausea and decreased appetite, some people struggle to eat at all during their opioid withdrawal. This can lead to severe malnutrition, especially if you were already malnourished as many people are when they have a severe drug or alcohol addiction because food takes a back seat to the addiction.

Anxiety

Similar to the depression caused by withdrawal syndrome, some individuals experience severe anxiety to the point where they endanger themselves. This often requires not only professional care but inpatient treatment in opioid detox centers. According to the World Health Organization, clonidine may be used in treatment to help alleviate anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms.

Psychosis

As stated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, about 10 percent of the population that becomes dependent on the opioid tramadol can experience a severe form of opioid withdrawal. This can cause serious symptoms such as:

• Panic attack
• Fear
• Confusion
• Severe anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities

We want to help you make sure you or your family member can safely navigate withdrawal. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) now to begin looking for a safe, effective opioid detox facility.

What Treatment Options are Available for Withdrawal?

Detox treatment for opioid dependent individuals takes time and patience. Fortunately, there are many different treatment options available for those looking to make a safe recovery in a detox center. Your detox provider may incorporate these treatments and practices into your withdrawal management.

Medications

Medications are used to treat withdrawal symptoms and to maintain a patient’s safety during detox. Depending on the individual and the program they choose, different medications may be used in different ways. Also, medications are also available to treat co-occurring mental health conditions.

The main medications used in opioid detox include methadone, buprenorphine or Suboxone, and clonidine. While each medication is effective, patients can experience varying results. For example, according to the Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, many patients report having more energy and emotional awareness while on buprenorphine compared to methadone.

Behavioral therapies

Behavioral therapies are necessary to help patients make a smoother transition from detox to rehab. They can also help treat co-occurring mental health disorders and teach patients healthy ways to cope with the issues that occur during withdrawal. Behavioral therapies in detox can also help reduce one’s likelihood of relapse.

Holistic treatments

Holistic treatments are options such as journaling, pet therapy, yoga, art therapy, etc. These therapies help patients in ways traditional treatment options cannot, and they often can provide stress management and personal growth that empower the person to maintain their sobriety long-term. Many inpatient centers utilize these programs during detox and during treatment programs after detox.

Types of Opioid Detox

It is important to understand that there are many different types of local opioid detox centers. Some of the main options include:

• Ultra-rapid detox: A program that only lasts a day or two and helps patients go through withdrawal quickly under sedation
• Rapid detox: A program that is similar to ultra-rapid detox and usually takes 3 to 4 days
• Medical detox: A program in which medical staff monitor a patient’s health during detox and help them go through withdrawal, treating them as they go
• Medication-assisted detox: A program that helps patients become stabilized on medications like methadone or buprenorphine
• Natural detox: A program that does not use medications of any kind
• Spiritual detox: A program that focuses on spirituality during detox treatment

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Opioid Detox

Most opioid detox centers also fall under the category of either inpatient or outpatient care. The former provides 24-hour treatment while the latter does not – you continue living at home and check in with medical staff at the detox center each day. Ask yourself the questions below in order to determine if you will need inpatient care:

1. Is this my first time going through detox?
2. Am I nervous that I will relapse?
3. Do I not have a home environment conducive to recovery?
4. Is my home unsafe?
5. Do I have easy access to drugs at home?
6. Do I lack a strong social support system of friends and family members at home?
7. Am I suffering from any comorbid disorders?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, inpatient detox may benefit you. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) to learn more about inpatient opioids detox.

Benefits of Inpatient Opioid Detox

Not everyone needs inpatient care to recover safely in a detox situation, but it is often the safer choice. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stresses the importance of having a safe place to go when you are in recovery, and an inpatient center will provide you with this. You will also be surrounded by a community of other people in recovery and you will benefit from all the healthy treatment and living options provided to you in this program.

Find a Local Opioid Detox Center

Local opioid detox centers are all around you if you know where to look. We can help you find opioid detox. Before you call, make sure you have your insurance information ready and any information that may pertain to your treatment. Then, just call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) .

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Opioids: The Prescription Drug & Heroin Overdose Epidemic. 
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Commonly Abuse Drugs Charts.
3. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal.
4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2017). Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. 
5. Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance. (2006). Substance Abuse Information Card.
6. World Health Organization. (2009). Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings- 4 Withdrawal Management. 
7. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2014). TRAMADOL (Trade Names: Ultram®, Ultracet®).
8. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. (2007). Pharmacologic treatments for opioid dependence: detoxification and maintenance options.
9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Recovery and Recovery Support.