While opioid overdose remains the biggest threat for opioid abusers, withdrawal is a challenging road to navigate if you are trying to stop using opioids. Withdrawal symptoms can be hard to handle and are a big reason why it’s so hard to break the addiction cycle. Your body becomes trained to expect the chemicals as a daily part of life, and it can react badly when you try to change that routine for the better.
At the Addiction Recovery Institute of America, our drug detox center gives you the best chance to successfully detox. You are in an environment where taking the substance isn’t an option at all. Trying to go it alone at home, while commendable, cannot remove that temptation completely or hold you accountable while supported by medical professionals and peers who can relate and support you
WHAT ARE OPIOIDS?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine. Opioids are commonly prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication, but illegal opioids are common on the street. Illegal opioids go by many names, including:
- Happy pills
- Oxy
- Percs
- Vikes
WHY MAY AN OPIOID DETOX PROGRAM BE NEEDED?
Detox is a set of interventions aimed at clearing toxins from the bodies of those who are acutely intoxicated and/or dependent on opioids. The goal of detox is to minimize the physical harm caused by the abuse of drugs.
The physical and mental symptoms caused by opioid withdrawal are difficult to deal with and are much different from the withdrawal process for stimulants or sedatives. But they are a necessary part of the process to get clean. It is important to understand what withdrawing from opioids looks like and when it occurs.
Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
HOW DOES AN OPIOID DETOX PROGRAM WORK?
Detox is the first step in a lifelong process. Addiction is not something that magically goes away after detox. Addiction is a disease that will last a lifetime, and if you don’t get the tools and knowledge you need to overcome the problem, then relapse is likely to happen.Each substance impacts your body in its own way. The right method for detoxing off one drug may not be the same as another. Additionally, if you abuse more than one substance, this creates a more complex set of considerations for managing the withdrawal process and ensuring that your symptoms are manageable.
The three most common forms of detox are:
COLD TURKEY
This method involves immediately stopping your drug use. Due to your body chemistry, this option often leads to relapses as you end up experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms. This method is particularly problematic when it comes to alcohol, leading to seizures, hallucinations, and body tremors. As a result, most medical experts recommend that you not use this option.
SLOW WEANING
You would step down your intake of the substance over time so that your body has time to get used to the decreased levels. While this option still leads to some withdrawal symptoms, they are not typically as bad as going cold turkey. You’ll have an easier time adjusting to how you feel without those substances in your body, which can help with the withdrawal process.
MEDICALLY-ASSISTED DETOX
This method uses medication and medical assistance to see you past the detox stage of addiction treatment. Typically, a professional team supports you throughout the opioid detox program and provides you with the care required to make detox centers a safe experience. They help you treat the symptoms of withdrawal and begin developing a treatment plan for the next steps of your recovery.
TREATMENT AT ARIA
Treatment is most effective when performed in a professional medical setting. Medical professionals can provide clients with the highest form of care and give them a comprehensive treatment program during drug rehab that includes medication, counseling, and follow-up support. While proper aftercare is essential in all types of addiction, such as prescription drug abuse, it is especially important for opioid users. Using an excessive amount or for a prolonged period of time will chemically alter the user’s mind and require significant commitment to overcome.
Brain functions start to return to normal once the drug is out of the body. By this time, clients in drug rehab begin to see that substance abuse is a problem. Realizing this, they are more willing to commit to therapy to help end psychological dependence. After a medically supervised detox program, you or your loved one may undergo therapy or dual diagnosis treatment for a co-occurring disorder such as anxiety or depression. Other programs, treatments, and therapies include:
CONTACT ARIA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR OPIOID DETOX PROGRAM
Abusing opioids can alter the way your brain works. Our opioid detox program is designed to get you and your brain back on track. Overcoming addiction is hard, but we are here to help every step of the way.
Start your journey to a sober life at the Addiction Recovery Institute of America. Our treatment team will help you find your best path forward to achieve lifelong recovery. Call 844.973.2611 or complete our confidential online form to find out more about your opioid detox and recovery options.