Opiate Detox Programs In Florida

Before we discuss detox and treatment, it’s first necessary to understand what exactly opiates are and how they work. 

Opiates are a type of opioid, which is made from the opium poppy plant. These are strong prescription painkillers that are commonly prescribed by doctors and medical professionals to treat pain in patients. Common types of opioids include:

• Oxycodone
• Heroin
• Fentanyl
• Methadone
• Morphine

Opiates and opioids attach themselves to the opioid receptors in the brain to let the body know that it’s no longer in pain. 

Due to the euphoric feeling one can feel while on opiates, as well as the way they affect the brain, it’s easy for the body and the brain to grow dependent on the substances and even become addicted. This can lead to people abusing opiates by either taking higher amounts than what is prescribed, or even continuing to seek out and abuse opiates when their prescription has run out.

Due to the way opiates react to the body, it can sometimes be difficult to identify if you have begun developing an addiction to the substance. For many people, they take opiates that are prescribed by their doctors and wind up becoming addicted to them through no fault of their own. That’s how powerful opiates are and how strong of a reaction they can have on the brain and the body. 

If you think you might be developing an opiate addiction or know someone who you think might be, there are some signs that you can look for that might identify an addiction is either developing or has already developed. Some of these signs include:

• Uncharacteristic mood swings
• A noticeable change in sleeping and eating habits
• Finishing a prescription earlier than directed
• A change in interests
• Trouble completing even basic tasks
• Struggling in school, work, and at home
• A change in social groups
• Losing interest in hobbies
• Showing visible signs of intoxication
• Using the prescribed medication in ways other than prescribed
• Obtaining more of the drug through any means necessary including visiting multiple doctors or buying it on the street
• Stealing in order to obtain more of the drug

If you or someone you know check off any of these listed above, you should seek treatment immediately. Prolonged use of opiates in ways other than directed can lead to an overdose and death.

One of the biggest struggles people find when it comes to trying to quit taking opiates is the withdrawal symptoms associated with no longer taking the drug. For many people, they acknowledge that they have a problem and want to stop taking opiates, but the withdrawal symptoms are so bad that they simply continue to just take the substance to avoid those symptoms. 

So, what are some of the symptoms that are associated with opiate withdrawal? They can include:

• High blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Sweating
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Hot flashes
• Fatigue
• Paranoia
• Hyperactivity
• Dilated pupils

Due to the nature of withdrawing and the extreme symptoms that people can suffer from, it is advised that the withdrawal process be done under constant medical supervision through opiate detox.

As you can see from some of the symptoms listed above for opiate withdrawal, opiate detox can be tricky. Because of the symptoms associated with it, it’s crucial that it be done under the constant care and supervision of a trained medical professional. This can be done at either a medical facility, a dedicated detox center, or a treatment facility like Chapel Hill Detox that also offers opiate detox programs. Attempting to self-detox can be incredibly dangerous and can also increase the chances of a relapse.

Opiate detox can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the addiction. The entire detox process involves three main steps. They are:

• An evaluation
• The actual detoxing
• Transitioning into addiction treatment

The Evaluation

The first step in the detox process is to first undergo an evaluation so the treatment professionals can determine the best course of action for you. Since everyone is different, the way they react to both the detox and treatment process will also be different. Through the evaluation process, a customized treatment plan will be created, starting with opiate detoxification. 

Detoxing

Once the treatment plan has been created, the actual detoxing can begin. As we mentioned above, the entire detox process is done under 24-hour medical care and supervision. This is done to make sure that the body reacts properly to the detox process and any medical issues that may arise as a result of detoxing can be addressed right away.

During the detox process, some people may be given medications in order to help with the management of the withdrawal symptoms. Methadone and buprenorphine are the most commonly used medications. They are used to help relieve some withdrawal symptoms as well as help kill off any potential cravings. 

Transitioning to Addiction Treatment

Once detox has been completed, it’s then time to begin treatment. If you underwent detox at a medical facility or detox center, you will likely be given a list of potential treatment centers to which you can go. If you undergo detox at a place that provides both like Chapel Hill Detox, then the transition process is practically seamless.

Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, during the treatment process you will participate in a variety of therapy sessions, both one-on-one and in a group setting. These therapy sessions are intended to help you understand what led to your addiction in the first place as well as learn ways to go about your new life being clean and sober. Group sessions are also a great way to begin building a support system on your road to recovery as well as potentially learn things from others that might have shared similar experiences as you.