Opioid Detox Program

When pursuing opioid addiction treatment, clients require a structured recovery program, allowing them to replace their dependence on controlled substances with healthier coping mechanisms. Although opioid addiction treatment is rarely dangerous or life-threatening, withdrawal can be terrifying, even impossible to endure alone. Contact our team at 833.551.2304 to learn more about how Gulf Breeze Recovery can support you through opioid or medical detox.

What Are the Symptoms of Opioid Abuse, and How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?

If you experience the following as the result of prolonged or excessive opioid use, you may have developed a dependency:

• Perceived inability to function without the opioid or prescription drug in question or symptoms of illness that appear only relieved with increasing dosages
• Changes in sleep habits
• Unstable moods
• Confusion or disorientation
• Lowered motivation
• 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 other illegal activity, to procure more opiates or medication

The longer the problem progresses, the greater the risk of overdose and health complications, including accidental death.

Side Effects of Opioid Withdrawal

Opioid and prescription drug detox may involve the client experiencing various symptoms, some mild, some severe. In addition, because many clients began their cycle of opioid abuse as a means to manage co-occurring physical or emotional pain, treatment may require a temporary re-emergence of other undesirable sensations.

Patients undergoing opioid or prescription drug withdrawal may expect:

• Mood swings, from anxiety and agitation to depression and despair
• Increased heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure
• Alternating profuse sweating and chills
• Sleep problems
• Uncontrolled muscle spasms or twitching
• Digestive ailments, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting
• General flu-like symptoms, such as aches, pains, and runny nose

What Is It Like to Participate in a Prescription Drug Detox Program?

Opioid and prescription drug recovery takes place over a series of four stages:

1. When the decision to pursue treatment has been made, some clients experience increased cravings (in anticipation of the pending withdrawal).
2. At the onset of treatment, sometimes even within the first few hours, more acute physical withdrawal symptoms will emerge. At this point, cravings may become highly intense, almost unbearable.
3. After several days, symptoms will present at peak intensity, as will the desire for opioids or prescription drugs. At this time, medical providers may strategically use pharmaceutical supports such as methadone or clonidine to help patients manage physical discomfort. Although all individuals differ, this stage typically lasts for up to three weeks.
4. After immediate withdrawal symptoms subside, clients may continue to battle with cognitive and psychological symptoms such as moodiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These may endure for six months to two years following treatment.

To be successful in this process, clients require a safe environment in which their overall health and wellness are maximized, including a combination of physical and cognitive therapies, nutritional guidance, and abundant rest. They must also be supervised 24/7 during the more intense periods of withdrawal.

In addition, because symptoms may last long after a residential program is completed, clients must learn healthful coping mechanisms to avoid future relapse. Clients generally also benefit from outpatient programs, aftercare, and other supports to make a successful transition back to their normal life.

First Steps in Opioid Detox at Gulf Breeze Recovery

Although these symptoms and timetables apply to most clients, individuals seeking recovery must be offered a personalized approach, accommodating their specific needs. Connect with one of our team members today at 833.551.2304 to learn more about our unique, holistic approach to opioid and prescription drug detox at Gulf Breeze Recovery.