Opiate Detox

Opiate addiction causes extensive harm to a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Despite this, however, opiate detox centers in Atlanta help people detox from the drug and enter the recovery process. Because no recovery journeys are alike, we develop a plan that suits your specific needs and sets you up for successfully leaving opiate use in your past.

What Are Opiates?

Opiates are naturally occurring substances derived from the poppy plant, such as opium, heroin, morphine, and codeine. First off, drugs like heroin and opium are primarily illegal narcotics often used for the purpose of getting high. Secondly, drugs like morphine and codeine are available by prescription. In addition, they provide pain relief for illnesses such as cancer or during the recovery period following major surgery. Opioids also come from poppy plants but are synthesized pharmaceuticals such as fentanyl and OxyContin available by prescription.

Consequently, all drugs derived from the poppy plant can become dangerous, whether used in the form of a street drug or a prescription medication. Opiates, for example, can quickly become addictive even to people who initially use them as directed. In fact, once an addiction takes hold, the person requires larger dosages of the drug and is unable to stop using it on their own. Fortunately, opiate detox centers in Atlanta provide the professional help it takes to safely withdraw from opiates.

Sadly, opioid overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending in April 2021 increased to a total of 75,673. Furthermore, this shows an increase over the previous year, which had a total of 56,064 deaths. Lastly, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids also increased in the period ending in April 2021, with fentanyl being the most common drug involved.

Commonly Misused Prescription Opiates

Prescription opiates provide much-needed medical value for many. Nevertheless, they can still end up causing a serious addiction that requires visiting an opiate detox center. For instance, some of the most commonly misused prescription opiates include:

Oxycodone: Oxycodone is a medicine prescribed for dealing with moderate to severe pain levels. A popular brand name for oxycodone is OxyContin®.

Codeine: Codeine treats coughing, and can also help with mild to moderate levels of pain. 

Hydrocodone: Hydrocodone (Vicodin®) is one of the potent opioid medications only used for severe pain. The branded version of this medicine has acetaminophen, which is a pain reliever. 

Morphine: Morphine treats moderate to severe pain. To add, extended-release morphine pills are used for pain that cannot be controlled by other types of pain medications. 

Signs of Opiate Addiction

A person who becomes addicted to opiates will demonstrate certain signs. As so, it’s important that they and those close to them recognize the signs so they can seek help from an opiate detox center.

Physical signs of opiate addiction include:

• Weight loss
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Digestive disturbances
• Cramping
• Body and muscular pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling disoriented
• Isolating
• Slurred speech

Emotional and mental signs include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Moodiness
• Irritability

Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person who is addicted to opiates stops taking them, they then experience withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, opiate detox centers help ease this by providing necessary medical and mental support.

Thus, some of the withdrawal symptoms that may occur include:

• Fever
• Cold sweats
• High blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shaking
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Body aches
• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations

Opiate Detox Timeline

How long it takes to detox from opiates depends on several factors. Moreover, to add, the factors include how long the addiction has lasted, the amount of drugs typically consumed, and if the individual abuses any other substances. Finally, in summary, their physical and mental health can also factor into the timeline.

A guideline for the opiate detox timeline is as follows:

Day 1: Withdrawal symptoms start within 6 to 24 hours after the last dosage. For instance, they may include sweating, muscle aches, hypertension, trouble sleeping, and anxiety. 

Days 2 to 4: Symptoms intensify during this period and may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. For example, depression may accompany other mood-related difficulties. Additionally, cravings for the drug become more intense during this period.  

Days 5 to 8: Most of the physical symptoms begin to decrease, although the drug cravings may remain longer. Emotional symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, may continue for several weeks.

Medications Commonly Used in Opiate Detox

To begin with, what frightens many people about detoxing from opiates involves going through the detox process. Fortunately, FDA-approved medications can help ease and even eliminate many of the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, these medications work best when combined with talk therapy as well.

The medications used at opiate detox centers in Atlanta include:

Buprenorphine: Reduces withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Methadone: Using it tricks the brain into thinking it’s receiving opiates. Thus, this reduces withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. 

Naltrexone: If a person taking Naltrexone takes opiates, it will then block the effects they normally cause. In turn, this will take away the incentive to use them. As a result, this aids in reducing cravings for the drug. 

Does Insurance Cover Opiate Detox Centers in Atlanta?

Most insurance companies recognize that substance use disorders are an illness that requires formal treatment. Therefore, you should contact your insurance company and find out what type of treatment programs they cover. Furthermore, you can learn what cost there may be to you as well. Typically, types of treatment covered by insurance plans often include detox, residential, outpatient, and aftercare programs for instance. Moreover, as a note, many companies require that customers receive pre-authorization before beginning treatment in order for it to be covered.

If you are covered by Medicaid, contact them to find out what options they provide. Fortunately, nearly 12 percent of those over age 18 who participate in Medicaid have a substance use disorder. Therefore, many of them benefit from the treatment coverage provided. 

Start Your Recovery at Our Atlanta Opiate Detox Centers

If you suffer from addiction to opiates, you may not know where to turn for help. The Retreat of Atlanta provides a team of clinicians and medical personnel that provides around-the-clock care for people who need to detox from opiates. We also allow clients to use our Columbus, Athens and Alpharetta location if it is best for them. We offer Aetna, Tufts or Beacon Health for coverage. Our Atlanta detox center helps ease the symptoms of opiate withdrawal, helps identify the cause of your addiction, and develops a relapse prevention plan.

Visit our admissions page to find out how to begin treatment today.