Opiate Detox Recovery Programs
Why Choose Opiate Detox?
If you suffer from opiate addiction or if you are opiate dependant, it is not recommended for you to just "stop" taking opiates without consulting an addiction professional for opiate detox recovery and enter into an opiate detox program.
Opiate detox withdrawal symptoms will occur if opiate use is abruptly discontinued because opiates are physically addicting. As it happens in any addiction, the body has adapted to the presence of the opiate. Withdrawal from opiate addiction or opiate abuse can possibly occur as early as a few hours after the last use and then the following withdrawal symptoms of opiate detox from opiate addiction may occur…
- Drug craving
- Restlessness
- Muscle and bone pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sweats and cold flashes
Without a proper opiate detox program, the major withdrawal symptoms of opiate addiction, which peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose, can result in seizures or convulsions. Depending upon the severity of their opiate addiction, a person can usually complete opiate detox in between five and seven days. Many of other factors will determine how long opiate detox recovery will take. Some of these factors are: the amount of opiates used, the frequency of opiate use and whether or not there is a presenting medical or psychiatric problem. An additional factor is the individual’s motivation for recovery.
Opiate detox recovery for the person with an opiate addiction and accompanying psychiatric disorder (dual diagnosis) may require additional time in an opiate detox program. The physician managing your opiate detox program and attending psychiatrist will make that determination.
It is our belief that anyone undergoing opiate detox recovery should do so in a drug rehab program or addiction treatment program complete with its own medical detox unit. Opiate detox can be a very challenging process emotionally and physically. The opiate detox recovery program should be located in a medically monitored unit, should have around-the-clock nursing, ability for medications to be dispensed as needed and should be under the direction of an addictionologist (a physician trained in addiction medicine). In this manner, the withdrawal symptoms from opiate addiction are more effectively managed, and also the medical problems related to your opiate addiction can be treated.
Why Opiate Detox in a Drug Rehab?
The reasons we believe that opiate detox should take place within a drug rehab or addiction treatment program are:
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After opiate detox recovery is completed, many opiate addicts require ongoing inpatient addiction treatment.
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A drug rehab program with its own detox unit provides for the transition from an opiate detox program, which is medically driven, into a clinically driven level of care within the drug rehab. This provides for a smooth transition from detox to drug rehab. Opiate detox should be provided within the confines of a drug rehab program or addiction treatment program due to the structure that can be provided.
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Many people try to opiate detox on an outpatient basis. While outpatient opiate detox can work for some, most opiate addicts require the structure of an inpatient detox program to deal with the cravings and keep them away from their old environment, old friends and access to opiates.
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As described, there is more to opiate detox recovery than the medical component. Our goal is to get every patient through our opiate detox program in a safe and comfortable manner and into long term recovery, without relapse.
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While in the grips of opiate addiction, many high risk activities may have been taking place. While in opiate detox, each patient will receive a comprehensive physical examination to identify if any medical problems or sexually transmitted diseases are present and need to be addressed.
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Medical treatment can begin in detox and continued if the person transitions into the drug rehab or addiction treatment program.
If you would like additional information or admission to Stepping Stone's opiate rehab program or opiate detox recovery program, please call 1-800-237-3150.
What Drugs Can Create an Opiate Addiction?
The following drugs can create and opiate addiction: Opium, Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Dilaudid, Oxycodone, Percodan, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Demerol, Fentanyl, Methadone, Darvon, etc.
Opiate Addiction and Pain Management Traps
Some physicians overlook the potential consequences of opiate addiction, focusing primarily on eliminating the pain symptoms. Therefore, an underlying problem of opiate addiction is more than just the drug itself – it is also the pain management specialists who often indiscriminately prescribe opiates without considering the long-term effects of opiate dependency.
Whether you have developed an opiate addiction from prescribed opiates or from recreational use, please admit yourself to an inpatient opiate detox unit to manage the opiate withdrawal symptoms and get the help you need to discontinue your opiate use.
If you would like additional information or admission to Stepping Stone's opiate rehab program or opiate detox, please call 1-800-237-3150.
