Unfortunately, the hundreds of thousands of individuals who are already physically dependent on opiates or opioids must inevitably face the reality of an opioid detox, withdrawal, and rehab if they are going to get their recovery on track and recreate their lives. Opioids accounted for nearly 70% of drug-related overdoses in 2018[1]. This includes both prescription opioids as well as illicitly-made opioid drugs which are often unpredictable in their contents. Opioid addiction continues to be a major crisis in the U.S. that national, state and local governments have been working diligently to address.
Types of Opioids
Present in America is a wide array of opiates and opioids, many of which are abused. As a matter of fact, mostly all opioids have a severely high risk of abuse and dependence. Some are prescription drugs are used in a medical setting to manage severe pain, whereas others are illicitly-made and abused. Common opioids include:
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Morphine
- OxyCodone
- Tramadol
Opioid Detox
Denial about the problem of addiction can keep a person locked into this delusion of a world that seems to them like a utopia or even hell until inevitable consequences begin to catch up with them, or something that makes them hit bottom. The absolutely only way to break free from this bondage is through professional opioid detox: the crux of anybody’s recovery. Unfortunately, it does not take very long for mental and physiological addiction to develop and for people to become dependent on opioid substances. Once addicted, the drug takes complete priority over everything else in their life.
The New York Times reports that opiates are responsible for more deaths than any other medicine or drug.
To say that an individual has established an addiction suggests that they have developed a physical, as well as psychological need for the drug that is beyond their control. Once addiction kicks in, these very people who may have been able to exercise their will power so well in their lives, become so dependent on the drug that they psychologically trick themselves into thinking that they cannot function without it. Some individuals become so feeble and so enslaved that they cannot even muster the courage to try to function without it; they cannot even fathom it. Those who realize that drug use is affecting their life in an adverse way may want to no avail to change their lives and muster the courage to try to get their life back on track, due to the fact that this mental obsession of addiction is far too great to escape from. This is usually the only point when they might even think of attending an opioid detox and follow up with addiction treatment.
Opiates are an extremely addictive drug, meaning that people do not have to use it numerous times before they become dependent on and addicted to it. When individuals courageously decide to get sober and detox, they might find things get worse before they get better. Due to the repeated intake, the body adapts to chronic opioid use, and when the use of the substance ceases, the body responds with very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms have been described as flu-like in nature.
What To Expect During Opioid Withdrawal
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Nausea
- Soreness and aching in muscles and bones
- Sinus issues
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Agitation, restlessness, irritability
- Sweats and chills
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Withdrawal Symptoms Depend On
As mentioned previously, not every individual will experience the same symptoms of withdrawal. There are various factors that determine how severe the withdrawal symptoms may be and how long the detox process will take. Depending on the response to the following items, withdrawal may be longer, more severe, shorter, or less severe.
Factors to consider include:
- How long a person has been dependent on opiates
- Highly stressful and uncertain or dangerous environments
- The type of opiate
- The frequency and severity of opiate abuse
- Underlying medical conditions, mental or physical
- Comorbidity
The Withdrawal Timeline
Opioid drug withdrawal usually adheres to a specific timeline, although there is variation. In general, the withdrawal symptoms typically hit their apex within 48-72 hours and subside within a period of 5 to 10 days. The onset, duration, and intensity of withdrawal symptoms will be different for each person, but the general opiate withdrawal timeline includes the following:
- 8-12 hours – Anxiety, agitation, watery eyes, runny nose, and increased sweating.
- 12-24 hours – Nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, goosebumps, and dilated pupils.
- 36-72 hours – Symptoms peak and then gradually subside over the next few days.
How Long Does Opioids Withdrawal Last?
The period and extent of withdrawal symptoms also depend on whether the opioid is long-acting or short-acting. Heroin is relatively short-acting compared to other opiates, therefore, heroin withdrawal symptoms appear just hours after the last dose and may last for a shorter time period. Longer lasting opioids might require a detox of weeks in length to extricate one’s self from.
Detox Facility
Opioids addiction rehab usually starts by detoxing from the drug. Next, individuals who complete detox transition into either residential treatment or a high level of outpatient treatment (partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs).
It is recommended to find a treatment facility that provides a well-equipped and comfortable environment in which detox can take place. This includes access to opiate withdrawal support and medications to reduce the rate of complications and often associated with opiate detox. The opioid detox program at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach offers these things to minimize the intensity of the symptoms and make the withdrawal process a little easier and more comfortable. Our facilities also offer multiple levels of treatment for an easy transition following the completion of an opiate detox program.
Amenities at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach include semi-private rooms, luxurious bathrooms, spacious common areas for socializing, a communal dining area that is always stocked with nutritious snacks, and much more.
Detox At Home
Detoxification Process
Opiate Detox Medications
Signs of Opioid Addiction
With the number of opioid prescriptions written every day, it isn’t uncommon for an individual to be unaware of their own addiction. These are a few things to look for in yourself or a loved one to find out if they are abusing opioids and in need of an opiate detox program. Sometimes an individual realizes that they are dependent or addicted to opioids before their family does, but sometimes it is a family or friend that catches on first, and hopefully they will have the courage to intervene.
Addiction to Prescription Opioids
If you or a loved one was prescribed an opioid painkiller such as hydromorphone, tramadol, or fentanyl, codeine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone, you should be aware that these are highly addictive substances. It can take just days to develop a dependence. If you notice any of the following with regard to you or a loved one’s use of a prescription opioid, you should contact an addiction specialist for help.
What to look out for:
- Increased dosage or more frequent doses in order to feel the same effects
- Failure or decreased performance at work, school, or home obligations due to substance use
- Continued use despite issues in your personal or work life
- Withdrawal from normal activities
- Continued use despite mental or physical health concerns
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Inability to stop or control use
- Cravings for the substance
- A mental obsession to use the drug
Addiction to Illicit Opioids
Social pressure and the use of other illicit drugs also leads to the abuse of illicit opioids. In many cases, when an addiction to prescription opioid painkillers is not nipped in the bud, it leads to risky behaviors and even the use of illicitly made opioid drugs, such as heroin. This this is also true for those whom for whatever reason cannot any further acquire their prescription medication of painkillers.
Signs of possible addiction:
- Withdrawal from normal or commonplace activities
- Evidence of drug paraphernalia (spoon, pipe, syringe, etc.)
- Doctor shopping, or going to multiple doctors to receive prescriptions
- Hiding the truth about their drug usage
What to Expect from Our Opioid Detox Center
At Level Up Treatment West Palm beach, we are here to help people stop suffering, successfully complete the opioid detox process and to address psychological, physical, and spiritual issues connected to drug abuse. Expert doctors, nurses, therapists, spiritual counselors and cases managers will be with you throughout the recovery process to ensure you have the support you need, every step of the way.
This Is Hope, and the possibility of a new life!
If you or a loved one is dealing with addiction to opioids or opiates of any kind, contact our team at Level Up Treatment West Palm Beach to begin your recovery today!
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html
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