Individuals requiring opiate addiction treatment cannot be cured through visits to a medical doctor or trips to the emergency room alone. They require ongoing, comprehensive support that addresses various physical and psychological needs and instruction on appropriate coping skills for when they are forced to navigate triggering situations.

Florida addiction treatment programs are available to ease withdrawal symptoms for clients who have developed a strong dependence on opioids or prescription painkillers. Contact our team at 833.551.2304 to learn more about how Gulf Breeze Recovery can support you through opiate detox center.

What Is the Difference Between Opiates and Opioids?

Although the terms opiate and opioid are often used interchangeably, they refer to different classifications of controlled narcotics. Both types of drugs are commonly prescribed for pain management, although both also can result in dependency.

The difference between the two is primarily based on whether the drug derives from a natural source or is entirely synthetic.

• Opiates are substances derived directly from the poppy flower and include opium, morphine, and codeine.
• Opioids are derived from synthetic compounds and include OxyContin, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.

Technically, heroin is a naturally occurring opiate, although it frequently contains synthetic additives.

What Are the Symptoms of Opiate Abuse, and How Do I Know if I Need Opiate Detox?

Often, opiate addiction problems originate with a doctor-administered, regular prescription painkiller. These are routinely administered to patients recovering from a surgical procedure or struggling with chronic conditions such as cancer.

At first, these medications generally work as intended. However, if taken too long, via a different method than prescribed (e.g., snorting or injecting) or in too large a dose, the brain comes to believe that it must remain on the opiate or prescription drug for survival. This may result in the patient developing a tolerance to the initial dose and a need for more and more of the medication to feel the same effects. If unchecked, this cycle may progress into a substance use disorder requiring medical intervention.

If you experience any of the following symptoms as a result of prolonged opiate or prescription drug use, you may be developing a substance use problem:

• Dramatic mood changes such as depression or hyperactivity
• Uncontrolled anxiety attacks
• Evidence of compromised decision-making, such as making uncharacteristic mistakes at work or in school
• Changes in sleep habits
• Confusion or disorientation, slurred speech, or notable changes in memory or cognition
• Lowered motivation and willingness to engage in regular activities
• Reduced attention to personal hygiene
• Digestive ailments including loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or cramping
• Weight loss
• Resorting to drastic measures, such as stealing or illegal activity, to procure more opiates or medication

As a substance use problem progresses, the risk of accidental overdose increases. If untreated, opiate and prescription drug addiction can result in irrevocably damaged personal relationships, financial trouble, health complications, criminal involvement, and a significantly increased risk of suicide or death.

What Is Opiate Withdrawal Like?

If you have been taking high doses of opiates or prescription drugs for more than a few weeks, you will likely experience acute withdrawal symptoms. These may include:

• Intense cravings for opiates or drugs
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Agitation
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Muscle aches and pains
• Insomnia
• Hypertension
• Increased heart rate
• Fever

These symptoms are at their most intense in the first few days after ceasing use of opiates or drugs and generally taper off after about a week. However, some symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, may linger for months.

Although opiate and prescription drug detox are rarely life-threatening, they can prove intensely uncomfortable. However, many of these symptoms can be more tolerable through pharmaceutical therapies and other interventions available through a dedicated opiate detox center.

Prescription Drug Detox at Gulf Breeze Recovery

If you believe you require opiate or prescription drug detox, help is available to break the cycle of abuse for good. Connect with one of our team members today at 833.551.2304 to learn more about the opiate detox center at Gulf Breeze Recovery.