What to Expect at an Opiate Detox Center
Going to an opiate detox center for the first time can be nerve wracking. But knowing what to expect can provide some comfort.
Opiates are an especially dangerous class of drug. They are readily available, highly addictive, and present some of the worst side effects of withdrawal and overdose. An opiate detox center is designed to assist recovering opiate users through the process of withdrawing from the drug. It can be uncomfortable, it can be exhausting, and if you have never detoxed from opiates before, it can be scary.
A lot of the fear associated with detoxing is brought on by a lack of knowledge. The truth is that when you’re inside an opiate detox center, the process of withdrawing can be relatively comfortable and easy to get through. This is especially true when you consider that South Beach Detox offers a medically supervised detox program. These types of programs equip recovering addicts with a team of medically trained addiction specialists that will monitor vitals, provide medications when necessary, and most important, provide recovering opiate users with a level of comfort and safety.
What Are Opiates?
If you’re considering checking into an opiate detox center, chances are you already know what an opiate is. Opiates are drugs that bind to our natural opiate receptors. There was a time when opiates referred to drugs made from opium, and opioids referred to synthetic versions of opiates. But in the modern age, these words are used almost interchangeably. Opiates are used recreationally to create a feeling of relaxation and euphoria; medically opiates are used to treat chronic aches and pains.
Some common examples of opiates include:
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Heroin
Some common brands of opiates include:
- Oxycontin®
- Percocet®
- Vicodin®
- Percodan®
- Tylox®
- Demerol®
You can enter into an opiate detox center for treatment after abusing any of the opiates above, as well as a host of other brands and drug names.
Withdrawal Symptoms You May Experience in an Opiate Detox Center
Once you stop using opiates, you will start to experience a number of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that substance users experience when the supply of drugs or alcohol is cut off from the body. Your body has become accustomed to having certain chemicals inside of it, and now that they are gone, it will slowly start to return to normal.
Immediately after stopping opiate use, you may start to experience the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Trouble sleeping
- Aches and pains
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Exhaustion
- Sweating
Treating opiate withdrawal symptoms
Depending on the level and frequency of opiate abuse, your withdrawal symptoms may last longer, be more uncomfortable etc. One of the benefits of using an opiate detox center is their ability to treat withdrawal symptoms as they arise. In many cases, patients may experience less severe withdrawal symptoms through the use of medications. Generally, opiates with less severe withdrawal symptoms may be used to slowly taper of users through the early stages of their withdrawals. Whether or not medication is used to assist a patient through their detox is depending on a variety of factors. An on staff medical professional will make this decision during your initial intake assessment.
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms
After the two to three days of withdrawals, opiate withdrawal symptoms tend to worsen. These are called post-acute withdrawals or PAWS. Generally speaking, the initial withdrawal symptoms felt by users will worsen, and additional symptoms may arise as well. Additional opiate withdrawal symptoms include:
- Tremors
- Stomach aches
- Irregular temperatures
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you have abused opioids and are considering sobriety, we highly recommend that you seek out an opiate detox center for supervised withdrawal. Depending on the level of abuse, withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant and a threat to your overall help. In addition, recovering addicts that use a treatment center for their withdrawal process are far more likely to be successful in detoxing from opiates. At South Beach Detox, we offer a wide variety of programs for opiate users and are ready and willing to help you start your journey towards sobriety. Don’t wait. Start changing your life for the better today.
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