An important first step in opioid detox is educating yourself about what exactly will take place throughout the process. Getting acquainted with the impact of this kind of detox on both your mind and body is tremendously important, especially regarding the types of withdrawal symptoms you’ll likely experience and their level of intensity. Today, let’s help you understand what you will experience during opioid detox and what questions to ask the addiction specialists who will be providing your treatment and care.
Withdrawal symptoms from opiate use may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and more, and their duration and severity can vary from patient to patient depending on factors such as how much of an opiate was used and for how long. As the risk of health complications is high, opiate detox should only be done under medical supervision, and it is important to consult a doctor before abruptly quitting. One resource for people seeking recovery from opiate addiction is a facility offering both treatment programs for substance use disorders and an on-site medical detox for their patients.
Most Common Opiate Painkillers
How many of these names sound familiar to you?
- Codeine
- Darvocet/Darvon
- Demerol
- Dilaudid
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Opioids have a purpose—and a risk.
The prescription painkiller’s sole purpose is to alleviate the pain associated with surgery or chronic pain as well as other conditions. While highly effective, they can be highly addictive, too. As the brain builds up a tolerance to them, it takes more of the drug to produce the same euphoric effect. Another risk comes from abruptly stopping their use, which can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms that ultimately perpetuate relapse. It’s always recommended to consult your doctor before switching to another opiate or ending the use of the one you’ve been prescribed.
Opioids used off-label have a much higher risk.
Using any opiate in an off-label or recreational way, either by increasing the dosage or mixing it with another drug, is not recommended. This includes mixing the use of an opiate with sleeping pills, some antidepressants, and some antibiotics. The results could be life-threatening.
Withdrawal symptoms should only be experienced under medical care.
Because opiate detox can be extremely uncomfortable and even fatal, it’s recommended any attempt at it be done only under the care of medical professionals. If you have other existing conditions, medical detox at a facility that provides comprehensive medical services 24/7 is important. These medical teams can ensure you’re not at risk for health complications as the opiates leave your body.
Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
- Aching muscles
- Stomach pain
- Anxiety or agitation
- Increased heart rate
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Depression
Withdrawal will be an experience unique to you, in many ways.
The symptoms listed above may appear with different durations and different levels of intensity during your detox. Two factors will be how long you have been using the opiate and how much you use. Your current health, ability to handle stress, and family history of addiction may also affect the way symptoms show up in your case.
Choose to find help long before withdrawal begins.
Withdrawal symptoms may start within hours after your last dose. This short window of time is not when an opiate user should be looking for a detox resource. It could lead to serious complications from withdrawal, including death.
You can find medical detox and substance use treatment at the same site.
As a safe detox is part of the journey towards recovery, it can be included as part of a larger plan for treatment once the detoxification process is successful. A treatment facility offering on-site medical detox as well as an intensive clinical program can equip a patient with the skills to begin healing from use of the opiate in a supportive setting with peers also working on their recovery. In facilities offering multidisciplinary approaches to addiction, treatment for opiate addiction may include neurological healing, trauma therapies, chronic pain management, and more.
Origins Recovery Center is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1019.
