Properly detoxing from opioids is a vital and necessary step to addiction recovery. More often than not, it is the first step on the journey to a clean and healthy lifestyle. Its benefits are endless. So why is it so often avoided?
Detoxing from opioids can be an intimidating prospect.
For many, facing the withdrawal symptoms that come hand-in-hand may feel like climbing a mountain. Yet, reaching the top and completing an opioid detox will be one of the greatest achievements of your life.
Walking away from drugs will give you the best chance of a happy, healthy future. With appropriate support and medical advice, you can be comforted knowing that, despite its challenges, opioid detox can be achieved, and securing a long-term recovery is possible.
What Are Opioids?
Prescribed by medical professionals to reduce chronic pain, opioids cover a range of drugs. Often derived from the poppy plant or produced synthetically in a laboratory, they work by attaching to the opioid receptors in the brain, which alleviate feelings of pain and increase feelings of pleasure. The experience of these euphoric feelings can lead to addiction.
Some of the most common opioids include:
- Oxycodone (OxyContin)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Heroin
Heroin and fentanyl are particularly dangerous. Heroin, for example, is an illegal drug that is highly addictive. In contrast, fentanyl is fifty to one-hundred times more potent. Although fentanyl is a prescription drug, it is also produced and abused illegally. Due to the strength of the drug, it only takes a small amount to cause a fatal overdose.
What Withdrawal Symptoms Can I Expect?
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, with those who have abused opioids for longer and more frequently more likely to experience the most intense symptoms.
Other factors which may affect the experience of withdrawal include:
- Family history
- Current health and well-being
- Underlying mental or physical health conditions
- How the substance was administered
Opioid detox can be uncomfortable. However, embarking on the detox and recovery journey alongside a medical professional will ensure safety and maximize comfort. It will also reduce the chance of relapse.
Although the withdrawal symptoms experienced are often dependent on the type of opioid drug used, the timeline of withdrawal symptoms can generally be divided into the following sections:
How To Make Opioid Detox Safe
When progressing through treatment medical professionals may advise that you gradually taper off your opioid usage instead of stopping completely. This is because going ‘cold turkey’ can be very dangerous and can lead to severe dehydration and even seizures, especially when medical care is not sought. For this very reason, detox must be completed under the supervision of professionals. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to the care plan, irrespective of how hard it may seem.
The length and severity of withdrawal will depend on how long you were dependent on opioids. The type and strength of opioids taken and your general health and well-being will also determine how long you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Although some people progress through detox with ease, if you encounter severe symptoms and find it difficult to cope, medications such as methadone and naltrexone can be prescribed to ease the symptoms.
Detox plans vary and often depend on the facility attended. However, they usually include a combination of physical detox and therapy. While detox initiates the recovery process and treats the physical addiction, the psychological impact of addiction also needs to be addressed.
Detoxing is difficult, but there is no need to suffer more than you have to. Remember, addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. A detox facility is there to help you get better.
Early Stage
Initial withdrawal symptoms appear six to twelve hours after the last dose of the drug. They may include:
- Nausea
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety or irritability
- Fever
- Yawning
- Muscle aches or pains
- Sweating
- Cravings
Peak Stage
At this stage, withdrawal symptoms will arise seventy-two hours after the last dose of the drug and often last for a week.
The early-stage symptoms will generally intensify, leading to new symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Body tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Increased blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
Late Stage
Following the peak stage, the effects of withdrawal start to ease. This usually happens within a week. However, symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cravings may persist. For some, these could last for months or even years.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
Medication
Detoxing from opioids usually consists of tapering the dose of the drug consumed. This means that when you detox from opioids, your dose will slowly be reduced. This ensures that your body can become accustomed to a reduced amount of the drug as you overcome your dependence.
More than often, detox is medically induced. Here, medications such as methadone or buprenorphine are administered. Other medications are also available to ease withdrawal symptoms such as diarrhea and anxiety.
Therapy
It is important to remember that medication is only the first stage of recovery from opioid addiction. To avoid relapse, therapy and counseling must be completed. These two treatments ensure that the root cause of the addiction can be treated. Therapy also contributes to improved mental health.
You may be advised to attend a rehab center that will enable you to undergo a medically supervised detox, alongside therapy, counseling, and the correct aftercare to support you in long-term recovery.
Opioid detox may feel incredibly intimidating, but it is possible to overcome the addiction with the correct measures in place. Detox is the first and most important step. So don’t let the fear of the detox process stop you from making the right decision. Your recovery is just a call away. And it will be worth it.
Discover Lasting Wellness In Tennessee Today
At Detox West Tennessee, we understand how devastating an addiction can be to a person’s life. Fortunately, we also know that through effective treatment, lasting wellness can be attained. There has never been a better time to get yourself or your loved one the help they deserve. For more information about Opioid Detox, contact us today at Detox West Tennessee.