Opiate Detox

Prescription opiates, like Oxycontin, are among the most difficult drugs to quit, and are among the most addictive drugs possible. While recovery from opiates is possible, the process is made much easier with the help of a caring, medically-trained opiate detox program.

Why is opiate detox so important?

Chronic opioid abuse can lead to compulsive drug seeking habits and long-lasting psychological effects. Oftentimes, users continue to seek and take prescriptions without realizing addiction has taken hold, and that they are avoiding withdrawal symptoms. Opiate withdrawal takes plane when chronic use is discontinued or reduced, and the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable.

Opiates Withdrawal Symptoms

  • Nausea
  • Body Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Sweats
  • Cold Flashes

Without proper medical help, these symptoms can be overwhelming. For chronic users with poor health, unsupervised opiate detox is more dangerous.

Detox is the first step.

For a successful addiction recovery, detox is followed by comprehensive drug treatment that addresses the root causes of the addiction. Counseling and therapy play important roles in this process, but because quitting opiates is so difficult, there are several drugs used as part of a comprehensive relapse prevention strategy, which can include:

  • Methadone: Used for more than 30 years to treat heroin addiction, methadone is aa synthetic opiate that, when taken properly, is not intoxicating and reduces the desire for other opiates, while preventing withdrawal symptoms.
  • Buprenorphine: A more recently approved treatment for opiate addiction that carries less risk for overdose and withdrawal effects, buprenorphine can be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor’s office.
  • Naltrexone: An opiate addiction drug that, while less widely used, can be effective in highly motivated patients. Naltrexone should only be used with patients who have already been detoxified in order to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.

During detox, clients should be carefully monitored and supervised, and provided with support throughout the process. Following detox, both residential and outpatient treatment approaches have proven effective for cocaine addiction, but treatment plans should be matched with individual patient needs. This may include adding to or removing various components.

Call us today to begin your journey toward opiate recovery!