Opiate Detox
Opiates (such as the prescription drug Oxycontin) are becoming areal epidemic in the nation especially in Florida. Quitting opiates can have extreme physical discomfort. The addiction can be treated but it is useful that you get help with a professional opiate detox and a treatment center
Opiate’s excruciating withdrawal symptoms force many addicts back into the habit. These addicts are no longer even using to get high – they’re are just avoiding withdrawal.
A opiate detox center combines the addict’s desire for a better life with the medical tools necessary to make that sober life a reality.
Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
Opiate withdrawal can be intense, with symptoms that include:
- Nausea
- Body Pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sweats
- Cold Flashes
These symptoms may exist even if an addict does detox the RIGHT way at a professional detox center. But under proper care, opiate detox will be manageable. Without professional help these symptoms can be terrifying.
Remember, detox is not a cure for opiate addiction. For a successful addiction recovery, detox must be followed by comprehensive drug rehab that addresses the root causes of the client’s addiction. Counseling and group therapy play an important role in this process, but because quitting opiates is so difficult, there are several drugs used as part of a comprehensive relapse prevention strategy. They include:
- Methadone – Used for more than 30 years to treat heroin addiction. It is a synthetic opiate that, when taken properly, is not intoxicating and reduces the desire for other opiates, while preventing withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine – A more-recently approved treatment for opiate addiction that carries less risk for overdose and withdrawal effects, and can be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor’s office.
- Naltrexone – An opiate addiction drug that, while less widely used, can be effective in highly motivated patients. It should only be used in patients who have already been detoxified in order to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.
