Safely Detoxing from Opioids

Opioid addiction affects millions of Americans.

It is a widespread, dangerous, and life-altering disease.

Though highly illegal in the United States, opiates are easy to come across and even easier to become addicted to.

It is possible to recover from addiction through detoxing from opioids and rehabilitation programs.

Detoxing from opioids is an essential part of recovery from opiate addiction.

Before beginning the recovery journey, a person must eventually make sure that there are no opioids left in their system.

For people whose bodies are dependent on opioids, this is a delicate process that should be overseen by experts and monitored closely.

Withdrawal occurs when a person with opioid addiction suddenly stops usage.

The body needs time to detox and recover after opioid addiction, and withdrawal often occurs during this time.

Opioid withdrawal is a painful and difficult thing to endure, which is why a professional should treat it.

Although withdrawal is incredibly taxing, it is part of the process of recovery.

Successfully detoxing from opiates allows you to begin your recovery journey.

Recovery is valuable and life-changing, enabling you to take back control of your life.

 

Understanding the Safety of Detoxing from Opioids

Addiction to opioids can cause many physical and mental health problems.

It is imperative both for your own life and the livelihood of those you love that you seek treatment for your opioid addiction.

It is essential to know what happens during the process of opioid detoxification.

During an opioid addiction, the body slowly becomes more and more used to the drug so that it needs larger doses to produce a high.

Nerve receptors in the brain can eventually become dependent on the drug to function correctly, which is what causes addiction.

If your body is physically dependent on opioids, you will experience symptoms of opiate withdrawal when you stop usage.

Detoxification from opioids requires coordination by a doctor and a team of professionals.

Detox can cause severe opiate withdrawal symptoms, which can be harmful if not handled correctly.

Going “cold turkey” (stopping use of opiates all at once) is not generally recommended by professionals as severe withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous to your health, and relapse is much more likely this way.

Professional and safe methods of opiate detoxification typically involve either tapering off opiates or the use of alternative medication.

Choosing to detox from opioids, or having that choice eventually made for you, is challenging to do.

Detoxification can be a painful and lengthy process, but it is the first and most important step in securing a better life if you can continue therapy and rehabilitation.

 

Effects of Opiate Withdrawal

Opiate withdrawal can often cause extreme symptoms that are best managed by professionals. According to the NCBI, patients suffering from withdrawal should be under supervision, and staff should be available at all times. Opiate withdrawal symptoms can last for days or even weeks, depending on the length of addiction and the number of opiates the patient is used to taking. Withdrawal can happen in multiple stages, with early symptoms occurring first and other signs beginning later in the detox process.

MedlinePlus lists the following as symptoms of opiate withdrawal and detoxification:

Early symptoms of withdrawal:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Aching in muscles
• Insomnia
• Runny nose
• Sweating

Late symptoms of withdrawal:

• Cramping in abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Dilation of pupils
• Nausea
• Vomiting

 

Mental Illness and Detoxing from Opioids

People who suffer from opioid addictions often are diagnosed with a mental illness as well. Mental illness and opioid addiction are two disorders that often present together. They can be a cause for one another or can develop at the same time.

If you are struggling with mental illness and an addiction to opiates, it is essential that you seek help for both of these issues. Detoxing from opioids is made more difficult by the presence of a mental illness, but it is not impossible, and neither is recovery. If you decide to seek help for your addiction and mental illness, there will be capable and kind staff present with you in your recovery journey. You do not have to handle your addiction and mental illness alone. You can overcome both of these diseases and lead a better life.

 

Methods and Treatment for Safely Detoxing from Opioids

Opioid detoxification is safest and best-executed when supervised by a physician or professional.

There are two commonly used methods for safely detoxing from opioids: tapering off opioid use and involving medications.

Tapering off opioid use involves continually taking less and less of the drug over some time until the body is no longer dependent. This method essentially teaches the body to need less of the drug until it does not require any at all. Though this method can be quite successful, supervision by a doctor is essential and should be coupled with therapy or counseling to continue recovery.

Physicians must supervise the use of medications to ensure the correct amount and type of drugs. MedlinePlus lists multiple medications that help stave off opiate withdrawal symptoms and help with detox, including methadone, buprenorphine, and clonidine. These medications can help lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and replace illegal opiates with versions that will aid recovery. Medications are slowly tapered off over time until the patient is no longer dependent.

No matter the path of treatment you decide to take, it is necessary that you begin and continue counseling as you strive for recovery. Counseling allows you to understand your addiction, meet others who have gone through the same thing, and form a network of support and positive coping mechanisms. Recovery is a long and challenging process, but if you couple detoxification treatment with counseling, you are giving yourself a fighting chance at a life free of addiction.

 

 

Payment for Detoxing from Opioids

Because safe detoxing from opioids is a process that is best handled by experts, it can be expensive.

We know that dealing with opioid addiction is even more difficult when you have to worry about paying for treatment.

We offer free insurance verification so that you can find out whether your provider covers treatment.

If your insurance does not cover treatment, there are other options for payment to consider.

What is most important is that you can recover and begin a better life safely.

The cost of treatment for opioid detox is manageable when considered with the price of a lifetime of opioid addiction.

Recovery, though expensive, allows you to regain freedom and control in your own life.

Detoxing from opioids is a challenging and exhausting process that needs to be carefully managed and safely executed.

Opiate withdrawal symptoms can be painful and can last days or weeks.

It is no secret that recovery from opioid addiction is not easy, but it is worth it when you are successful.

We cannot guarantee that you will not relapse, but we can guarantee to do our very best to aid you in your recovery journey.

You will meet others with addictions just like yours, form a network of support with our staff, and get the resources you need to make a full recovery.

Start a better life free of opioid addiction today by contacting us.