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How to Safely Detox From Opioids

How to Safely Detox From Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs commonly called narcotics, painkillers, or prescription opioids. This drug class includes several medications typically prescribed by doctors to treat chronic or persistent pain conditions. Opioids help patients struggling with post-operative pain or chronic pain associated with chronic injury or cancer treatment. 

While many opioid drugs are legal, heroin, a manufactured substance, is not. Opioid medications of all kinds work by attaching to specific receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body called opioid receptors. While helpful in alleviating pain when taken as directed, their use is not without significant risk for addiction.

What are the Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal?

While any addictive substance can cause some level of withdrawal, detoxing from opioid drugs is different. When you begin to detox from opioids, you will experience unpleasant and painful symptoms. Opioid medications are also one of a few classes of drugs with a higher risk of dangerous and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms in some instances. If you are ready to overcome opioid addiction, it is best to do so in a structured, safe detox program under medical supervision.

Unfortunately, detox and its accompanying withdrawal symptoms are a common part of overcoming opioid addiction. The severity and duration of withdrawal will vary based on the opioid you used and factors unique to your pattern of use. In some cases, the first withdrawal symptoms will occur in as few as six hours after your last dose and may persist for up to two weeks.

Specific withdrawal symptoms can also vary from substance to substance, but anxiety, body aches, agitation, difficulties sleeping, vomiting, sweating, and nausea are common. As mentioned above, opioids can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including irregular breathing, irregular heart rate, seizures, hallucinations, coma, and death. 

There is no test or series of evaluations that help predict who will experience severe opioid withdrawal. These potentially dangerous symptoms can occur at any time and to anyone. Therefore, it is vital to seek help at a Michigan rehab where trained medical and mental health professionals can help you navigate the challenging symptoms during withdrawal.

Is Opioid Detox Dangerous?

Regular opioid use can lead to tolerance to the effects of the drug. Tolerance will lead to physical and psychological dependence. When someone is dependent on an opioid drug and tries to stop using, unpleasant and sometimes painful symptoms will occur. Opioid withdrawal symptoms can sometimes lead to dangerous and fatal consequences.

How to Safely Detox from Opioids?

Safely detoxing from opioids involves seeking help from treatment professionals at a medically supervised detox program in Michigan like Liberty House Recovery Center. During detox, a team of skilled medical providers will provide high levels of support and monitoring as you focus on healing from addiction. If needed, they can help ease some of the more unpleasant detox symptoms through specific medications.

When someone struggles with an addiction to opioids and tries to withdraw “cold turkey,” they often fail, and relapse occurs because symptoms become too complex and overwhelming to manage. At a medically supervised detox program, highly skilled medical and mental health staff are available to support and guide you safely through detox while assisting with symptom management.

How to Find an Opioid Detox Program Near Ann Arbor, MI

Detox can be a complex process, but it is the first essential step on the journey to sobriety. At Liberty House Recovery Center, we will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan based on evidence-based therapies that have been proven effective in addiction treatment. Our caring and compassionate staff will be here to guide you throughout each step of your journey, beginning with detox and ending with a robust, uniquely designed aftercare plan. Comprehensive aftercare planning is essential to maintaining ongoing recovery.

As you approach the end of your treatment plan, our team will work with you to design an aftercare plan that includes continuing therapy and access to support groups and other community supports. Let the team at Liberty House Recovery Center help you begin your sobriety journey safely. 
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction and are ready to put those struggles in the past, contact us today for more information about how our Michigan addiction treatment programs can help.

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