Detoxing from opiates can be a struggle, but with support and the right treatment, opiate addicts will be well on their road to recovery before they know it. While detoxing from opiates might seem intimidating, there are a plethora of resources and treatments for opiate addicts. The National Institute of Health writes, “It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide, with an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers in 2012.” With so many people addicted to opiates it would be safe to call opiate addiction an epidemic.
Opiates
AddictionsandRecovery.org defines opiates as, “A group of drugs that are used for treating pain. They are derived from opium which comes from the poppy plant. Opiates go by a variety of names including opiates, opioids, and narcotics.” Those who use opiates aren’t limited to “junkies,” rather many people addicted to opiates began with a prescription to diminish pain. What starts out as respite for a physical problem, such as back pain or recovering from surgery, too often ends in the user finding themselves detoxing from opiates. Opiates are very easy to get addicted to and detoxing from opiates is not something to be taken lightly.
Detoxing From Opiates
Detoxing from opiates should always be done with the assistance of a medical professional. The cycle of addiction to opiates is often due to the discomfort people experience when they try detoxing from opiates themselves. AddictionsandRecovery.org writes that opiate withdrawal can include:
- Low energy, Irritability, Anxiety, Agitation, Insomnia
- Runny nose, Watery eyes
- Hot and cold sweats, Goose bumps
- Yawning
- Muscle aches and pains
- Abdominal cramping, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Detoxing from opiates without a medical professional can be extremely uncomfortable. A drug and alcohol treatment facility will assist you with detoxing from opiates in a variety of ways, including medication-assisted treatment, individual and group counseling, and relapse prevention.
Detoxing From Opiates With the Help of a Medical Professional
Many treatment facilities offer detox programs in conjunction with medically-assisted detox. Since detoxing from opiates can be so uncomfortable, and can often occur with co-occurring disorders, many medical professionals advise medication-assisted treatment. When detoxing from opiates medication-assisted treatment is used in conjunction with other programs such as group, individual, and family therapy and counseling. The physical withdrawal symptoms when detoxing from opiates can be especially strong, and make it difficult for the patient to concentrate on other aspects of recovery. Medication-assisted treatment is used to treat the physical withdrawal symptoms associated with detoxing from opiates and allows the patient to move forward with other facets of the recovery process.
Another facet to detoxing from opiates includes a detox program at a treatment facility. While it fully depends on the substance abuser’s history, there are many benefits of an outpatient detox program for those detoxing from opiates.
Benefits of Outpatient Detox
- Social support. This is beneficial when detoxing from opiates as addicts gain a sense of confidence when supported by their family and friends. Included in these programs are family therapy and group therapy.
- Ability to work and maintain day-to-day activities. Patients often times seek anonymity during this process and outpatient detox is an easy solution. With the ability to maintain most of their normal activities while detoxing from opiates, patients are able to get the treatment they need without having to explain prolonged absences from work or school.
- Comfort of one’s own home. Detoxing from opiates can be difficult and patients enjoy the comfort of returning to their own homes at the end of the day. Patients also have the chance to implement confidence-building lessons that are learned through the recovery process.
- Contact with family and friends. Healthy relationships are vital to a successful recovery process. During the detox period, patients may find it beneficial to be surrounded by a supportive group of loved ones and outpatient detox makes this possible.
Detoxing from opiates can be done in a supportive environment. If you or a loved one is suffering from an opiate addiction, contact The Bergand Group. We offer treatment for all steps of the recovery process and strive to create a setting that is conducive to personal comfort and in a operate manner that provides respect for the individuality and dignity of our patients and our providers.
sources:
America’s Addiction to Opiods: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse
Opiates (Narcotics): Addiction, Withdrawal and Recovery
About The Bergand Group:
At The Bergand Group in Baltimore, MD our therapists have more than twenty years of experience in the mental health and addiction fields. Our focus is on providing comprehensive mental health care and appropriate care for addictive disorders. We offer both alcohol rehabilitation and drug rehabilitation. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or substance addiction, there is help available. We also offer several other services, including family therapy and counseling. We can help. Contact us today.
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