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What’s stopping you from finding help for an opioid use disorder (OUD)? Is it the thought of getting through opioid detox and withdrawal symptoms? According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid such as prescription pain medication or illegal street drugs like heroin.
If you’re concerned about opioid withdrawal, that means you likely already have a physical dependence on and tolerance to prescription pain medication. That addiction opens the door for an overdose or other serious consequences to your health and well-being.
Getting help for opioid addiction is the best course of action. Footprints to Recovery is a full-service addiction treatment center with specialized and certified clinical staff. Our medical detox team has helped countless others overcome an opioid use disorder and move on to a brighter future.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids come in three categories:
- Natural: derived from the opium poppy plant (e.g., morphine and codeine)
- Semi-synthetic: chemically modified natural opioids (e.g., oxycodone and hydrocodone)
- Synthetic: entirely man-made (e.g., fentanyl and tramadol)
Many opioids are medications prescribed by doctors to treat pain. But no matter the type of opioid, taking it over a long period can increase your risk of developing a tolerance and physical dependence. That increases your risk of overdose.
What Is the Timeline for Opioid Detox?
One of the first questions many have before they enter a detox program is how long it will take. How long it takes to detox from opioids is linked to the severity of withdrawal and depends on many different factors like:
- The specific drug used
- How long you took opioids
- The dosage of opioid pain medication you take
- How severe your withdrawal symptoms are
Some opioids are short-acting, and withdrawal symptoms tend to occur 6 to 12 hours after the last dose. Short-acting opioids include:
- Immediate-release morphine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Tramadol
- Codeine
Other opioids are long-acting, and opioid withdrawal symptoms first emerge within one to two days. Long-acting opioids include:
- Morphine-controlled or extended-release (Oramorph, Kadian, Avinza)
- Oxycodone-controlled or extended-release (OxyContin)
- Fentanyl transdermal (Duragesic)
- Oxymorphone extended-release (Opana)
Here is a general timeline of how long symptoms of withdrawal last for most people:
- Early withdrawal (begins 6 to 12 hours after last use)
- Peak withdrawal (occurs 1 to 3 days after last use)
- Post-acute withdrawal (may set in days to weeks after last use)
Step 1: Early Opioid Withdrawal
Early withdrawal typically begins 6 to 12 hours after last use. Early symptoms of opioid withdrawal usually start within hours of the last opioid dose. They may include:
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
Step 2: Peak Opioid Withdrawal
Peak withdrawal often begins 1 to 3 days after last use. The most intense opioid withdrawal symptoms occur during this period and commonly include:
- Strong cravings for opioids
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Dilated pupils
- Insomnia
Step 3: Post-Acute Withdrawal
Some people experience lingering symptoms that last for weeks or months after the acute withdrawal phase. These are known collectively as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), and they can include symptoms of withdrawal like:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anhedonia (lack of pleasure)
Is Medical Detox Necessary for Opioid Withdrawal?
Opioid detox is the process of ridding your body of opioids. It’s often accompanied by opioid withdrawal symptoms, which can occur shortly after you stop taking the drug. These symptoms range from uncomfortable to dangerous, so opioid detox should always be overseen by medical professionals.
The goal of a treatment center like Footprints to Recovery is to help you stop using opioids and manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal safely and comfortably. Once you are through detox, they can help you move on to other levels of care.
The Dangers of Home Detox
You may think you can get through opioid detox and withdrawal syndrome symptoms on your own. But opioid disorder treatment is best done by experienced professionals at a licensed and certified addiction treatment center. Along with medical supervision to keep you out of danger, a treatment center offers counseling and behavioral therapies that are not available at home.
There are many risks involved with opioid abuse and addiction recovery. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t try to get through opioid withdrawal on your own:
- Severe withdrawal symptoms
- Medical complications
- Mental health decline
- Co-occurring health issues
- Risk of relapse
- Lack of medications
- Individual variation
- Lack of support
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioid withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable and distressing. Between the physical discomfort and intense cravings, it can be incredibly difficult for people to cope with the symptoms alone. In severe cases, opioid withdrawal symptoms can lead to dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and other medical complications.
Medical Complications
Opioid withdrawal can lead to medical complications like:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Heart rate irregularities
- Dehydration
These complications can be life-threatening, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions.
Mental Health Decline
Opioid withdrawal can have a significant impact on your mental health. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and irritability can become overwhelming, increasing the risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Co-Occurring Health Issues
Many people with opioid addiction have co-occurring physical and mental health conditions that need to be managed during detox. Attempting detox at home without addressing these underlying conditions can make health issues worse.
Lack of Medications
Certain medications, such as methadone or buprenorphine, are commonly used in medically supervised detox to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. These medications are not available to take at home. They require a prescription and medical supervision.
Individual Variation
How long you experience withdrawal symptoms and how severe they are vary widely from person to person, depending on the type of opioids used, the duration of use, and your individual physiology. Without a medical assessment, it’s challenging to predict how intense withdrawal will be.
Lack of Support
Detox is a challenging process. You will benefit from emotional support and guidance from healthcare professionals or addiction specialists. Without this support, the experience can be overwhelming and demoralizing.
Risk of Relapse
The intense discomfort and cravings associated with opioid withdrawal can lead to relapse because you may turn to opioid use to alleviate your physical and psychological distress. Relapse during detox can be particularly dangerous, as you may attempt to use the same dose you were accustomed to before detox, which can lead to overdose due to reduced tolerance.
Risk of Overdose
Without access to medical supervision or support to manage symptoms effectively, detoxing at home can also increase your risk of overdose if you relapse. Seeking professional detox services can provide a safe and monitored environment for you to detox from opioids.
What Is Medical Detox Like?
Attending a detox program at a specialized detox center offers reliable, effective, and safe treatments overseen by people who have experience with opioid withdrawal management. The first step is an initial consultation where your therapist learns about your opioid abuse, your medical history, and your lifestyle. From there, they will develop a unique detox plan suited to your needs. That plan may involve MAT.
The goal of a treatment center like Footprints to Recovery is to help you stop using opioids and manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal safely and comfortably. Once you are through detox, they can help you move on to other levels of care.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioids
Opioid withdrawal can be uncomfortable and include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, anxiety, and restlessness. Addiction treatment providers sometimes offer medications to alleviate these symptoms as part of medical detox.
In a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, medical professionals provide FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, also known as MOUD. These prescription drugs are monitored under strict supervision, and can lessen the side effects from opioid withdrawal, such as physical discomfort and cravings.
Common medications used for MAT during opioid detox:
- Methadone acts on opioid receptors, just like opioids do. That’s because it is an opioid, making this treatment method somewhat controversial. There is a possibility for misuse and addiction.
- Buprenorphine can help decrease drug cravings. If you relapse, it may block the positive sensations.
- Suboxone contains a combination of both buprenorphine and naloxone. The naloxone also blocks the positive effects of opioids, and it triggers a withdrawal state if you attempt to inject your Suboxone. That means the naloxone can deter a relapse. Both medications can be habit-forming and must be taken as prescribed.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol) comes in injectable and tablet forms. It can help reduce cravings. It also blocks opioid action, and there is no potential for dependence.
These medications can be administered under medical supervision to help stabilize you. They’re usually prescribed with tapering, which is a gradual reduction of opioid doses under medical guidance. It can help minimize withdrawal symptoms and make the detox process more comfortable. Tapering can be used with medications like methadone and buprenorphine.
What Happens After An Opioid Detox?
After you’ve detoxed from opioids, they can help you decide whether continuing treatment is what you want. If it is, your treatment team will make an opioid addiction treatment plan. Following detox, you can enter a residential treatment program, which will provide intensive therapy and counseling services to help you recover.
Outpatient treatment options for opioid addiction can also provide ongoing care to help you stay sober and develop skills to manage cravings and avoid relapse. It’s important to continue with some form of treatment after detox, as many people experience intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms even after the physical dependence on opioids is gone.
Opioid Recovery Options at Footprints to Recovery
The goal of a treatment center like Footprints to Recovery is to help you stop using opioids and manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal safely and comfortably. Once you are through detox, we can help you move on to other levels of care.
We offer a full continuum of care for opioid addiction treatment. Our medical detox team can help you end a physical dependence on opioids and find an effective treatment to maintain your sobriety in the future. To treat opioid addiction, our clinical team offers unique levels of care, including:
- Medical detox
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient program
The goal of a treatment center like Footprints to Recovery is to help you stop using opioids and manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal safely and comfortably. Once you are through detox, we can help you move on to other levels of care.
Medical Detox
Before you can move on to a brighter future, you must get all opioid drugs out of your system. Medically supervised detox at Footprints to Recovery is safe and effective. Our clinicians treat opioid withdrawal symptoms to make detox as comfortable as possible.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment involves living full-time at our rehab center while you undergo treatment for opioids. The structure of inpatient programming allows you to focus your entire attention on getting sober and overcoming mental health issues. Our team of clinicians creates a personalized treatment plan that best suits your needs. An integrated approach to treatment offers both evidence-based and holistic recovery practices.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a more flexible treatment option that is less restrictive than residential care that still offers a structure for recovery. You attend therapy five days per week while you live at home or in one of our sober living centers. The goal of a PHP is to build on the skills and tools learned in residential treatment to begin the transition back to normal life.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Another step down in intensity from a PHP, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) involves regular treatments and meetings at a rehab center, but usually fewer days per week and for a shorter duration. The focus of IOP is on preparing you to re-enter your normal life free from the pitfalls of substance abuse.
Outpatient Program (OP)
Outpatient rehab is one of the last steps in recovery. It’s considered a step down from intensive outpatient treatment. An outpatient program (OP) involves building on all the tools and coping skills learned throughout each level of care, ensuring you have what you need to remain sober and keep your mental health on an even keel after completing rehab.
Aftercare
Aftercare is for those who have completed opioid addiction treatment. It’s also called continuing care. It helps you maintain your sobriety, build a support network, and address ongoing challenges related to addiction. Your specific aftercare plan will be built depending on your needs and the treatment program you completed.
Some common elements of aftercare for opioid addiction treatment:
- Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery provide ongoing peer support and a structured program to help you maintain sobriety. Regular attendance at these meetings can reinforce recovery principles.
- Sober living homes can help you by providing an environment where everyone is focused on sobriety. It’s a great place to build a network of support for when life’s triggers threaten a relapse.
- Ongoing monitoring and check-ins with healthcare providers, counselors, or addiction specialists can help ensure you stay on track with your recovery goals.
- Alumni programs provide a sense of community and a way to stay connected with others who have completed treatment. They often offer events, workshops, and other activities that promote sober living.
- Counseling or therapy can help you address any underlying issues or triggers that may contribute to relapse. It can also provide ongoing support as you navigate life in recovery.
- Healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercise, proper nutrition, and getting enough sleep, can improve your physical and mental well-being, making it easier to maintain sobriety.
Does Insurance Cover Opioid Detox?
At Footprints to Recovery our goal is to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment that’s accessible to everyone. We do that by accepting most major health insurance plans and providers. Depending on your policy, your insurance may cover all or a portion of medical detox and your treatment costs.
Our team of admissions advisors will work with you to verify your insurance and find the payment option that best suits your needs. We work with your provider directly to provide prior authorization and outline your treatment options. Contact our admissions team today for an insurance verification.
Getting Help For Opioid Withdrawal
Are you ready to turn your life around? Reach out to Footprints to Recovery and learn more about how we treat illegal and prescription opioid addiction, providing evidence-based services to address opioid withdrawal symptoms. Our programs are safe and effective. Don’t raise your risk for opioid overdose. Get help now.
- Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10–19 Years — July 2019–December 2021 | MMWR
- Opioid Withdrawal – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
- Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Tapering off opioids: When and how – Mayo Clinic
- Commonly Used Drugs Charts
- Analgesics: Opioid Agonists
Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.
