Addiction to opiates can feel like a prison you can’t break free from. Some people or a loved one remain in this prison mentally and physically for years and, too often, a lifetime, unable to quit using and abusing, which prevents people from living the normal life they crave. The pain of opiate addiction is far more far-reaching than a psychological addiction. It’s physically addicting, and that makes this type of addiction somewhat impossible to overcome without seeking treatment like opiate detox.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a prison anymore, filled with physical and emotional pain. There is a better treatment option – an opioid detox center located in beautiful, sunny Stuart – Florida. Coastal Detox can and will help free you from the grips of opiate addiction with proven results. Through our facility, therapy and medical detox offer a chance for a lifetime of sobriety and improved mental health.
What is an Opiate Addiction?
In general, addiction is a disease that affects your brain and your behaviors. At first, you have control over your choices, which leads to you experimenting with drugs. If you misuse or abuse a drug, its pleasurable effects eventually decrease, which in turn makes you want to keep using it, mentally and physically. Over time, your brain chemistry changes in ways so that you develop a powerful mental and sometimes physical urge to continue the use and/or abuse of the drug.
The terms opiate and opioid are often used interchangeably. This is because opiates and opioids affect the brain the same way, and the central nervous system the same way. There is, however, a difference between these two terms. Opiates are naturally occurring drugs derived from the opium poppy plant and include drugs like heroin or opium. Opioids are artificial substances derived from morphine and include synthetic drugs like OxyContin, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.
Therefore, all opiates are essentially opioids, but not all opioids are opiates, as they may not be naturally occurring. Thus, the term opioid is a general term that includes both artificial and natural opioid substances. While opiates are prescribed to relieve acute pain, prolonged use can lead to opiate addiction (opioid addiction) and abuse. Common opioids include prescription painkillers such as Dilaudid, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as the illicit drug heroin. There is no cure for opioid addiction, but you can begin treatment in a medically assisted opiate detox center like Coastal Detox.
Opioid Drugs Include:
- OPIUM
- CODEINE
- FENTANYL
- HEROIN
- HYDROCODONE
- HYDROMORPHONE
- METHADONE
- MORPHINE
- OXYCODONE
- OXYMORPHONE
- PAREGORIC
- SUFENTANILTRAMADOL
Heroin addiction is a prevalent disease and has been an ongoing problem in the United States since the mid-1800s. More recently, opiate addiction has reached epidemic proportions as a result of pain medications, such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Fentanyl, and the far too common report of “Pill Mills” and unethical doctors practicing the horrible trend of “over-medicating” patients. These powerful prescription drugs have taken opiate addiction to a new level, with over 2.4 million people currently abusing these drugs.
The problem has gotten so bad that steps have been taken to make prescription medications more difficult to obtain and abuse. This has not curbed the problem, however, and these recovery efforts have brought about a resurgence in the use of heroin, as prescription drug users turn to it when they cannot afford or obtain prescription drugs. This is why safe places like Coastal Detox exist to provide addiction treatment. We aim to offer everyone a chance at a more comfortable and effective opiate detox in Florida’s beautiful Treasure Coast. A loved one can get to their recovery goals with their rights reserved.
Getting Help From A Florida Opiate Detox Center: Coastal Detox
Opiate Detox Florida: What is Drug Tolerance and Dependency?
Drug Tolerance
Drug tolerance is when your body, over time, gets used to the effects of a particular drug, like opiates. As this happens, you will need to take an increased and higher dose of the drug to achieve the same desired effect. When you take opioids over time, you need a higher dose to get the same pain relief as well.
If you stop using an opioid for some time, your tolerance will begin to fade. If you need to start retaking it, you most likely will not need your former higher dose, and this is what puts so many at risk for an opiate overdose. That can be too much for the body to take. If you stop taking a medication and then resume, you should talk to your doctor about dosage amounts.
Drug Dependency
Drug dependency occurs when the way your body works changes because you have taken a drug for a more extended period. For example, the recovery period between heroin abuse can be shorter compared to before. These changes cause you to have moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms when you stop using opiates. Detoxification through addiction treatment is commonly used to reduce cravings.
Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms may include:
- SWEATING
- NAUSEA OR VOMITING
- CHILLS
- DIARRHEA
- SHAKING
- PAIN
- DEPRESSION
- INSOMNIA
- FATIGUE
If you have been taking prescription opiates for a long time, work with your doctor at an opiate detox center like Coastal Detox; it could mean the difference between addiction and sobriety or, even worse, life or death. Your opiate detox doctor can help you avoid withdrawal symptoms by gradually lowering your dose over time until you no longer need the medicine through treatment.
Symptoms of Opiate Addiction and Overdose
The first step toward recovery is recognizing that you misuse or abuse opioids. The signs and symptoms of substance abuse can be physical, behavioral, and psychological and can leave damage in its wake. One clear sign of addiction is clients not being able to stop abusing the substance no matter how many times they try.
Signs & Symptoms Of Opiate Addiction Include:
- POOR COORDINATION
- DROWSINESS
- SHALLOW OR SLOW BREATHING RATE
- NAUSEA AND/OR VOMITING
- CONSTIPATION
- PHYSICAL AGITATION
- POOR DECISION MAKING
- ABANDONING RESPONSIBILITIES
- SLURRED SPEECH
- SLEEPING MORE OR LESS THAN USUAL
- EXTREME MOOD SWINGS
- EUPHORIC FEELINGS (FEELING HIGH)
- IRRITABILITY
- DEPRESSION
- DECREASED MOTIVATION
- ANXIETY AND/OR ANXIETY ATTACKS
An overdose of opiates is a widespread occurrence for those who abuse and/or are addicted to opiates. Additionally, clients who combine alcohol with opioids increase the chances of overdose. It also requires immediate emergency medical treatment. If you suspect someone is experiencing or has overdosed on opiates, call 9-1-1 immediately and seek medical attention.
In some states, a prescription nasal spray called naloxone (Narcan) is available to keep on hand in case of opioid overdose, and it is often carried by law enforcement or Medical EMTs. Talk to your doctor to see if you need this medicine to keep on hand in an emergency.
Signs & Symptoms Of Opiate Overdose Include:
- Unresponsive (Won’t Wake)
- Slow, Erratic (Irregular) Breathing, or No Breathing At All
- Slow, Erratic Pulse or No Pulse
- Vomiting
- Loss of Consciousness (Passing Out)
- Constricted (Small) Pupils
Once you or someone you love has experienced an opiate overdose, you must seek immediate treatment, with the first step being a medically assisted opiate detox program like Coastal Detox, which is located in South Florida and will not only detox you in a calm, positive atmosphere but can assist you in finding long term treatment programs that will help in long term sobriety.
Addiction treatment is usually the next step after an overdose. At a recovery center like Coastal Detox, individuals can receive the care they deserve to lead healthier lives.
How Do You Know When You Need An Opiate Detox?
That’s quickly answered: When YOU are ready! For people who use prescription opiate medications prescribed for pain, it isn’t always obvious when you have crossed the line between abuse and addiction.
Opiate addiction is said to be one of the most difficult to overcome, physically and psychologically. Without help, this is undoubtedly true. Individuals may begin to doubt their recovery. Cravings could flood their brain. Too often, people aren’t aware of the support that is out there for those with this addiction. An opioid detox center in Florida, Coastal Detox, can and will help.
If you have an opiate addiction, you don’t need to try and beat it on your own; help and assistance are available. Attempting an opiate detox without support is setting yourself up for failure and could quite possibly put your health at risk. In addition, it can make things more unpleasant than they really need to be. With the guidance of a recovery center, Let Coastal Detox help you today!
What Helps When Detoxing from Opiates?
When detoxing from opiates, many people find that support groups, medication-assisted treatments, and therapy can help. Some people also find that alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, can be helpful. Some people choose to detox in a residential setting or an outpatient setting. A recovery center can provide other amenities, so it’s best to contact them. Staff is trained to offer different levels of support to individuals struggling during this time.
What are the Risks of Opiate Detox?
There are some risks associated with opiate detox at an addiction treatment center. These risks include relapse, seizures, and death. It is essential to seek medical help at an addiction treatment center when one is detoxing from opiates to ensure that you are safe and receive the best possible care.
What are the Benefits of Opiate Detox?
The benefits of opiate detox include getting clean and sober, improved mental health, and improved physical health. Detoxing from opiates can also help you to start rebuilding your life from the gnawing cravings.
What are the Different Types of Opiate Detox?
There are three main types of opiate detox: inpatient, outpatient, and residential. Inpatient detox is the most intensive and takes place in a hospital or rehab center. Outpatient detox is less intensive than inpatient detox and occurs at a clinic or doctor’s office. Residential detox takes place in a home-like setting and is the most expensive option. Call the detox centers in your local area to determine if their settings work for you.
Which Type of Opiate Detox is Right for Me?
The type of opiate detox that is right for you depends on your needs and preferences. Inpatient detox may be the best option if you need a lot of support and supervision. Some centers offer free services to those who need financial assistance. It’s always recommended that you contact the facility of choice to determine what insurance is covered.
Do Detox Drinks Work for Opiates?
Detox drinks are a popular method for detoxing from opiates, but there is no evidence that they are effective.
How Long Does Opiate Detox Take?
The length of time it takes to detox from opiates depends on the individual. Some people may be able to detox in a matter of days, while others may need weeks or even months. Withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as 6 to 8 hours after your last use.
What are the Side Effects of Opiate Detox?
Side effects of opiate detox can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and fatigue. More severe side effects can include anxiety, depression, and hallucinations. Opiate detox can be dangerous if not done under medical supervision. It is essential to talk to your doctor before beginning.
Can I Detox from Opiates rom Home?
It’s possible to detox from opiates at home, but it’s not recommended. Opiate detox can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, so it’s important to have medical supervision during the process.
How long does it take to detox from opiates? To fully detox from opiates, it can take anywhere from a few days to a week. However, the physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal typically peak within 48-72 hours.
Does Rapid Opiate Detox Work?
Rapid opiate detox is the process of detoxing from opiates in a short period of time, typically less than a week. While rapid opiate detox can be effective for some people, it is not recommended as the sole method of detox. Rapid opiate detox should only be done under medical supervision, as there are risks associated with the process.
These risks include but are not limited to:
- Dehydration
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches and pains
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Fever
The Importance of Detoxing with Professional Help
Opiate detox is done in a professional, caring, and serene environment, which can make all the difference between medical detox and the beginning of a lifetime of sobriety. Most of the time, you know there is a problem when you begin to get sick after you haven’t used opiates for some time.
Opiate addiction can severely negatively affect your personal life, professional life, and even your health. Every time you use it, you run the genuine risk of overdose. If you inject opiates, you put yourself and others at risk for HIV and Hepatitis C. Relapse is a common occurrence in the recovery process. A relapse is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for clients to grow.
The misuse and/or abuse of opiate drugs brings other issues, too. If you are addicted to opiates, you may withdraw from family and friends, causing turmoil in your most important relationships. You may experience difficulty maintaining your family responsibilities, and this is extremely common with opiate abuse and/or addiction. You may have trouble at work, and a growing habit may create extreme financial troubles. If using opiates is interfering with your everyday, daily life, an opioid detox center, Coastal Detox, in Stuart, Florida, can help you.
What To Expect At An Opiate Detox Center In Florida
Once you arrive at our opiate detox center in Florida, you will complete a standard intake procedure. You will spend a little time talking about your history with substances and abuse, your physiological health, your medical background, and any specific needs you may have to help assist you in your detox phase of treatment.
You will be paired with a counselor who will work with you to develop an individual treatment plan. This will be a general guide to the treatment you will receive during your stay. You will be allowed to explore the grounds and facilities and be shown to your room. During your stay, you will receive medical supervision and plenty of support while you heal and rest.
Withdrawal Symptoms and Medication-Assisted Detox
For some people with opiate abuse disorder, the beginning of treatment is opiate detoxification. This is a controlled and medically supervised withdrawal from opiate drugs. (By itself, this is not a complete solution because most people with opiate use disorder resume taking the drug unless they seek additional help.)
The intensity of the reaction depends on the dose and speed of withdrawal in addition to the length of the misuse and/or abuse. Short-acting opiates, like heroin, tend to produce more intense but briefer symptoms, which all can be relieved by a medically assisted opiate detox like the program offered at South Florida’s Coastal Detox.
Methadone: A Part of Medication-Assisted Detox
No single approach to opiate detoxification is guaranteed to work well for all patients. Many regular heroin users have switched to synthetic opiate methadone. It’s a longer-acting drug that can be taken orally or injected. Then, the dose is gradually reduced over about a week. The anti-hypertensive (blood pressure lowering) drug clonidine is sometimes added to shorten the withdrawal time and relieve physical symptoms.
Methadone maintenance detox programs are some of the most common programs in the country. Methadone was first discovered in 1965 through scientists’ groundbreaking research at the Rockefeller Institute and abroad. Those early studies demonstrated methadone’s remarkable ability to alleviate withdrawal and craving and improve the ability to function emotionally and socially, which ultimately led to higher treatment success rates in the U.S. The evidence supporting methadone’s positive effects has grown stateside and even throughout the world. These include significant reductions in drug use, new HIV infection, crime, and death from overdose in opiate addiction.
Buprenorphine is Another Part of the MAT Process
The research is so vital in medically assisted opiate detox that methadone, along with buprenorphine (Suboxone), has been added to the World Health Organization’s list of essential opiate detox medications. And yet, despite this, only a minority of programs offer methadone treatment, and the undeserved shame associated with this life-saving medication persists. That’s why it is important to find the best opiate detox center, like Coastal Detox in Florida, to assist you in your sobriety journey.
Because there is a risk of diversion to the illicit and illegal “black” market, program enrollees must come to specialized clinics, like Coastal Detox, for methadone for their daily detox dose. A single dose lasts 24–36 hours.
There are very few reported side effects. However, methadone can cause a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problem if left unmonitored. It’s rare, and the risk can be minimized by periodically checking an electrocardiogram for a finding called prolonged QT interval.
More About Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is a mainstay of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opiate addiction detox (especially in Florida). A safer opiate is provided for daily consumption in order to supplant the use of illicit opiates. Suboxone is often the option people prefer as an opioid replacement because it is a partial opioid agonist. This means that it only partially stimulates the opioid receptors. As a result, it causes a “ceiling effect” that makes it much more difficult to overdose on compared to other opiate drugs.
Suboxone cuts the number of overdose deaths in half. It also allows people to resume productive and fulfilling lives after working towards addiction recovery from opiates.
Suboxone works by tightly binding to the same receptors in the brain as other opiates, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. By doing so, it blunts intoxication with these different drugs. It prevents cravings, as it allows many people to transition back from a life of addiction to a life of relative normalcy and safety.
Patients must stop all opiates and show clear signs of withdrawal before starting Suboxone detox medication. The medication comes as a film that dissolves under the tongue and is quickly administered and dissolved.
Let Coastal Detox In Florida, Help You – Today!
Our state-of-the-art 12,500-foot facility features a pool, beautifully landscaped grounds, and top-notch facilities and amenities to ensure you will be comfortable during your stay. Our staff of medical professionals will see to it that you are given the very best care while you detox from opiates with the help of medication, when appropriate.
If you are ready to start your journey towards long-lasting sobriety, then let us help you sail through opiate detox, so call Coastal Detox today for a confidential consultation. Enjoy luxurious surroundings in Martin County, delicious meals, and therapies that nurture your mind and body while you detox and begin the process of recovery.
References
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates