Starting opioid detoxing is a process that should always be done under the supervision of medical professionals. Withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening depending on the severity of opioid abuse. These symptoms last for a different amount of time for everyone but will always start after your last dose of opiates.
What To Expect Once Someone Stops Using Opiates
The reason medical supervision is the only safe way to stop using opiates is due to the withdrawal symptoms that occur once your body’s physical and psychological dependencies on the drug get broken. Common symptoms include muscle fatigue, soreness, anxiety and insomnia.
Beginning Stages of Detox
After the final dose of opiates, the routine nature of addiction starts to create symptoms as withdrawals begin as soon as your next typical dose would occur. Individuals will want to find opiates to keep withdrawal from starting which is why proper supervision is required for successful detox.
Middle Stages of Detox
As the body starts removing the final traces of opioids, the withdrawal symptoms will start to grow more severe. Typically this happens within 24 hours but can take up to 72 hours depending on the type of opiate being used. During this time individuals will experience more of the following:
- Intense sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Hot flashes and cold sweats
- Anxiety, paranoia and heightened levels of fear
Due to the more severe symptoms starting in the middle of detox, it’s the most common point in which someone self-detoxing finds themselves relapsing and resuming a life of opiate addiction. To make seeking detox more manageable, our team here at Hickory Treatment Centers has streamlined the intake process and works with each individual to create a strategy that works for them.
Final Stages of Detox
The finish line is finally in sight after 7-10 days of intense detoxing. As your body heals, you’ll notice the withdrawal symptoms start to fade away and the cravings for opiates will also begin to subside.
That being said, it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease that must be monitored even after treatment. While not curable, addiction can be fully combated with the right tools and support. To help with life after treatment, we work with a network of aftercare specialists and programs that are designed to help you retain your newfound independence while getting the right amount of help needed to stay sober.
Make Withdrawal As Comfortable As Possible
When you choose to utilize an addiction recovery center for opiate detox, you receive the proper care and attention needed to help ensure a successful addiction treatment plan. Properly administered drugs are utilized to alleviate pain and other withdrawal symptoms felt during detox.
Medically assisted detox also means mental health professionals available to help every individual work through their addiction and rewire their brain away from the addictive tendencies and routines created over the years. If you or someone you know is struggling with opiate abuse, take the time to find the right help that works for you.
