People with opioid dependence and addiction often require professional treatment, support, and supervision to stop using these drugs and maintain sobriety for life safely. In many cases, opioid addiction treatment begins with a medically-supported detox program.
Uncertainty or fear can keep people from getting the help they need to overcome opioid addiction. Learning about what to expect at an opioid detox center in San Antonio can help you feel more confident about seeking treatment.
This article will explore what happens during an opioid detox program, how to identify opioid abuse and addiction, and how to find an opioid detox center in San Antonio. Reach out to the team at Flourishing Foundations Recovery now to learn about our holistic treatment programs or to schedule an intake evaluation for yourself or a loved one.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that includes potent prescription pain relievers like hydrocodone and oxycodone, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Medical professionals may prescribe opioids to help their patients manage and reduce pain after medical procedures, surgery, or during the treatment of chronic medical conditions.
Commonly prescribed opioids include:
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Oxymorphone
- Dilaudid
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Tapentadol
- Meperidine
- Morphine
Opioid medications can cause side effects that some may find pleasurable, including:
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Slowed breathing
The desirable effects of opioids can make people want to misuse these drugs by taking higher or more frequent doses or by taking them recreationally (without a prescription or medical purpose).
Opioid Addiction
Opioids work by binding to receptors in the brain in areas associated with pain relief, pleasure, and reward. They also increase the amount of dopamine–a neurotransmitter involved in pain relief and pleasure–in the brain.
Repeated or heavy opioid use can cause physical and chemical changes in the brain and body that make it very difficult for people to stop taking them. When people with opioid addiction stop taking these drugs, they typically experience a range of uncomfortable physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms.
People who attempt to stop taking opioids after long periods of heavy use and abuse often relapse–begin taking the drug again–to relieve their withdrawal symptoms. It’s essential to have professional support during opioid withdrawal to achieve complete detoxification and avoid relapse.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioid withdrawal alone can be challenging, and most people who attempt to go “cold turkey” independently are unsuccessful. Disruptive withdrawal symptoms of opioid addiction can begin within just hours or days of their last dose of opioids.
Typical opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Chills
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Elevated body temperature
- Elevated blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Intense body aches
- Bone pain
- Severe, persistent cravings for opioids
The intensity and duration of opioid withdrawal symptoms depend on the severity of your addiction, other substances you used at the same time, your general health, and other factors.
The onset and duration of your opioid withdrawal symptoms depend in part on the type of opioids you used. If you use short-acting opioids, you can expect symptoms to develop within 8-12 hours after your last dose and peak within the first 72 hours. Short-acting opioids typically have shorter withdrawal periods, and symptoms will be mostly resolved in about ten days.
Long-acting opioids have a different withdrawal timeline. People may not experience symptoms for 72 hours after their last dose, and symptoms peak between the third and eighth day. People who use long-acting opioids may have symptoms that linger for several weeks.
What to Expect at an Opioid Detox Center
Lifelong recovery from opioid addiction begins in opioid rehab. Opioid addiction treatment programs typically start with a medically-supported detox program that provides the care, treatment, and emotional support people need to stay safe and committed to sobriety during the detox process.
Before beginning treatment, you will undergo a substance abuse evaluation to determine which level of care and type of treatment is needed to help you stay safe during detox.
Treatment at an opioid detox center includes:
- Medications to reduce physical and psychological opioid withdrawal symptoms, including methadone, Suboxone, clonidine, and buprenorphine
- Holistic therapies to reduce stress and increase general health, such as nutrition support, exercise, massage, and mindfulness
- Emotional support, including individual and group therapy when appropriate
People with co-occurring mental health conditions or those who require additional medical treatment during detox will receive the specialized treatment they need to stay safe during detox.
Detoxing from opioids may take several days or weeks, depending on the severity of your addiction. After completing detox, you must continue treatment in a comprehensive treatment program to identify and work through the complex physical, emotional, environmental, and behavioral aspects of your substance abuse.
Find an Opioid Detox Center in San Antonio
If you or someone you love struggles with opioid abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Comprehensive, compassionate treatment is available at Flourishing Foundations Recovery. Contact our admissions counselors now to learn about our detox programs, ask questions, or schedule an intake assessment.