What are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs including oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and heroin. They can be used legally for pain or obtained illegally. If opioids are taken for a long time or in large doses, the body can become dependent and build a tolerance. While useful for treating pain, these drugs also have a high risk for abuse and misuse.
Commonly Prescribed Opioid Painkillers
- Oxycodone (Percocet or OxyContin)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Fentanyl (Actiq or Sublimaze)
- Tramadol (Ultram)
- Methadone
- Hydromorphone
- Tapentadol (Nucynta)
Opioid Addiction
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 2.7 million people in the United States face opioid addiction each year. This is about 1 in every 100 people in the country. Opioid use disorder makes it very hard to quit, but a detox program followed by substance abuse treatment can simplify the process.
Opioid addiction is a serious disorder that can change the brain’s structure, making it harder for people to quit on their own. Many also experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop, which makes quitting difficult. A medically supervised detox can greatly reduce these symptoms and help people begin recovery. It also helps people move into treatment programs where they learn skills for long-term sobriety.
The Consequences of Addiction To Opioids
Opioids are a leading cause of death in the United States. Substance abuse is a serious disorder with severe consequences. People who struggle with this addiction may face:
- Major problems with daily tasks due to substance use
- Becoming isolated from others by spending more time using opioids
- Money problems are a result of paying for drugs, which is the main focus
- Risky behavior, such as illegal acts to get more drugs
- Trouble with memory and decision-making from brain changes caused by opioids
Severe opioid addiction often puts people at risk of overdose. Even with these results, many keep using opioids and face harder challenges over time. However, recovery is possible with help from treatment programs at drug and alcohol centers.
Opioid Addiction Warning Signs
If you think someone is struggling with opioid dependence, here are a few key warning signs to watch for:
- Major changes in behavior, like more isolation or anxiety
- Money problems that cannot be explained
- Losing interest in hobbies, activities, and relationships
- Using many doctors to get more opioid prescriptions
- Often using opioids or other drugs with alcohol
- Overdoses, hospital visits for substance use, or legal trouble
If you see any of these addiction symptoms or signs of opioid withdrawal, it is important to get help from a treatment center quickly. With the right support, people can get clean and begin their recovery.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Untreated opioid withdrawal is a very painful experience. Physical dependence can result from even short-term use of opioid drugs. During opiate withdrawal, many physical and mental symptoms occur together. This makes the first few days without drugs very hard. Acute opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle aches and pains
- Shakes
- Hot and cold flashes
- Restlessness
- Intense drug cravings
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chronic pain
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Goosebumps
- Depression
Opiate withdrawal symptoms are usually worst about three days after the last use and can last for ten days or more. The severity of symptoms depends on how long and how much a person has used.
Severe opioid withdrawal symptoms can make even the most determined person relapse. Relapse is common when people cannot handle the symptoms on their own. Fortunately, a treatment center can offer medication-assisted treatment to lessen these symptoms. This helps people move into long-term recovery programs.
Opioid Detox and Addiction Treatment
Our Los Angeles Drug Rehab Center detox programs offer a comfortable medical setting for people with a physical dependence on opioids. The detox process is designed to help people break their physical and mental dependence on opioids. Our medical staff uses proven therapies like medication, nutritional support, individual and group therapy, and relapse prevention planning.
We know that detox is hard both mentally and physically. Through education, support, and lifestyle changes during live-in treatment, we help patients build a strong base for recovery from substance use disorder.
Before Detox
The detox process starts with a review of a person’s mental and physical health. Our medical team will check for any risks, like health or mental health issues, that could make recovery harder. Using the person’s medical history, we create a personal plan to keep them safe during detox. Our reviews include:
- A full medical review to create a custom treatment plan
- Blood samples, urine tests, blood pressure checks, and other needed lab tests
- Commonly used medications to help manage your withdrawal symptoms
After a client is reviewed, the detox process begins with help from our medical team. Medical care and guidance help clients feel safe and comfortable. To learn more about our intake process, call (888) 915-5708 or use our secure online form.
During Detox
During detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is used to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Our team monitors patients to keep them safe and comfortable. Our goal is to make detox as smooth and effective as possible. A 7-day or 30-day program may be recommended based on your needs.
During that time, you will be provided with addiction medicine, therapy, and personal substance abuse treatment. This addresses both opiate dependence and mental health issues that occur at the same time, like bipolar disorder or PTSD. You will also learn coping skills for long-term recovery.
The length of the detox timeline is based on factors like the type and amount of opioids used. It also depends on whether other drugs were used and a person’s physical and mental health. It can take several days to weeks for the body to remove all opioid toxins. Below is an example of the detox timeline during addiction treatment:
Day 1
The detox process begins with physical and mental health checks. Specialists may prescribe medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms like irritability, nausea, muscle aches, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Days 2-3
You may have strong cravings and sharp withdrawal symptoms. An opioid antagonist like naltrexone or methadone treatment may be used to help reduce these feelings.
Days 4-7
Your withdrawal symptoms will likely be at their worst during this time. A medical team will monitor your progress and adjust your medication as needed.
Days 8-10
Most people should feel more comfortable as the sharp withdrawal symptoms start to fade.
Days 11-14
You may still have cravings and mild withdrawal symptoms, but they should be getting better.
Day 15+
Your health should greatly improve as you continue with detox. Naltrexone or methadone may be used to help you adjust to life without opioids. The medical team will keep monitoring your progress and give any needed treatment.
Opioid detox is a key part of recovery because it breaks the body’s physical dependence on opioids. At our Los Angeles opioid detox center, we know this process is difficult. We provide full care and support every step of the way. If you or a loved one needs opioid detox services, contact us today at (888) 915-5708. We are here to help!
After Detox
After a successful opioid detox, you will move into a treatment program to help your long-term recovery. Deciding to get treatment is a hard choice. Once you make that choice, getting the right level of care is just as important.
Clients can continue with either live-in treatment or an outpatient program. Both options are available, but live-in treatment is often encouraged. It provides 24-hour care and support during the next stage of recovery.
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-informed care
- Dual diagnosis treatment services
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Holistic therapies such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation
- Aftercare programs to encourage long-term sobriety
Our goal is to be sure that after withdrawal, clients get the best care possible. We provide the resources, support, and relapse-prevention plans needed to stay sober. With our team’s help, you can make lasting changes and remain drug-free.
Detoxing at Home is Dangerous
Many people try to detox at home when they realize their opioid use is a problem. Detoxing on your own can be very dangerous and even deadly. Without medical care and therapy, it is hard to safely manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse during this difficult process.
A key sign of an opioid use disorder, as defined in a medical manual, is “a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control opioid use.” Trying to detox on your own and failing fits the definition of this disorder.
There are also many risks to detoxing at home. People in withdrawal face a mix of symptoms that can be serious or fatal without treatment. Some of these symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, sweating, chills, fever, flu-like feelings, muscle or joint pain, anxiety, and depression.
The safest way to detox from opioids is at a center where medical staff can monitor and treat people as they go through withdrawal.
Our opioid detox center provides medically supervised detox in a safe and comfortable space. Our team is available 24 hours a day to offer medical help and emotional support. With our help, detox can be much more comfortable and successful.
How Our Medical Opioid Detox Can Help with Drug Abuse
Our opioid detox center offers a safe, supportive place for people ready to start recovery. With medical care, people are monitored and supported through the difficult process of opioid withdrawal. Our inpatient opioid detox provides 24-hour support and medical guidance to keep you safe from relapse.
Opiate addiction treatment has improved greatly in recent years. Special medications for opioid withdrawal can now reduce or even stop severe symptoms during treatment.
But our medical detox offers more than just medications to improve results. There are many other reasons why our opioid detox center is the right choice for people with an opioid abuse disorder.
We are here to help with everything from withdrawal symptoms to treatment types and insurance. We offer many treatment models, therapies, support groups, and counseling services. These are designed to improve your treatment and help you get the most from your time with us. Some benefits include:
- Medical monitoring of all withdrawal symptoms, with the use of medication-assisted treatment.
- Treatment for both mental illness and opioid abuse is also known as dual diagnosis.
- Healthy meals that meet your dietary needs and help your body and mind recover.
- Individual and group therapy to help with common issues like substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and trauma.
- Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous to build your recovery community and connect with others.
- A team of medical and addiction staff to help with case management, treatment plans, and other needs.
Drug Rehab in Los Angeles for Addiction
Take the first step to recover from opioid addiction by contacting our drug rehab in Los Angeles, CA at (888) 915-5708. With the right care, you or a loved one can safely manage the challenges of drug addiction and mental health issues to achieve lasting recovery.
Our center accepts most private and some public health insurance plans. A member of our team can work with your insurance provider to help you understand your insurance coverage and reduce out-of-pocket costs. If you do not have insurance, we can help you find available treatment options.
