Opioids and other prescription drugs used to treat pain can become highly addictive if taken incorrectly. According to research by the American Psychiatric Association, about 5% of respondents reported abusing prescription painkillers or having an opioid addiction in 2018. The number of overdose deaths from opiate addiction doubled between 2010 and 2016, showing just how life-threatening these drugs can be.
With these high substance abuse and overdose rates, access to opiate detox and painkiller detox is crucial. If you or a loved one is struggling with painkiller abuse and seeking drug addiction treatment in the West Palm Beach area, Summit Detox offers painkiller detox in Boynton Beach, Florida, providing a safe environment for you to rid your body of these drugs for good.
Signs of Painkiller Drug Addiction
When someone is abusing painkillers, they develop a physical dependency and start to feel they need the drug to function normally. This happens after repeated substance abuse because the body adapts to the drug’s presence. Some of the most common painkillers people become addicted to include codeine, morphine, oxycodone and heroin.
No one takes their first painkiller expecting to become addicted. However, opiates stimulate areas of the brain associated with pleasure and happiness, driving users to continue taking the drug to feel these effects. Continued usage can lead to several behavioral and physical symptoms, including:
- Fluctuating energy levels
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
- Poor impulse control
- Decreased work performance
- Sleep disturbances
- Isolating from peers or family
- Possessing multiple prescriptions for pain medications
- Frequent lying
- Constricted pupils
- Spending a lot of time trying to acquire more drugs
Painkiller Withdrawal Symptoms
Treating opiate addiction can be challenging because the first step of addiction recovery is to stop taking the drug. This can often lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that increase the risk of relapse. However, detox treatment programs can help you safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
Some of the symptoms you may experience during the detox process include:
- Increased sweating, tears and mucus
- Trouble sleeping
- Painful muscle aches
- Anxiety and frustration
- Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Strong drug cravings
Most withdrawal symptoms from opioid painkillers are short-term, but intense drug cravings can make it difficult to not start using again. This is why medically supervised inpatient detox is a vital part of opioid addiction treatment.
What Is Painkiller Detox?
Detox is a type of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that helps rid the body of toxic substances. Detox is the first step of an addiction treatment program and should be followed by behavioral therapies and other aftercare programs. Detoxing alone can be dangerous, especially if you’ve been abusing painkillers for a long time. At a detox center, you’ll be supervised by medical professionals, such as addiction specialists, who understand what you’re going through and can provide assistance if an emergency arises throughout the detoxification process.
What to Expect at a Detox Treatment Center
When you visit our Boynton Beach detox center, a team of experts will conduct an initial assessment to develop an individualized treatment plan so you know what to expect from the recovery process. No two painkiller addiction is alike, and some may even have co occurring disorders that need a treatment program that will address both. This is why personalized treatment plans are an important part of our detox services.
- Customizable detox programs
- Therapists for emotional support
- IV therapy to keep you safe and comfortable
While detoxing, you may consider drug rehab options for the next phase of your addiction treatment process, such as inpatient treatment programs. Residential treatment centers in Florida provide these much-needed treatment services, 24-hour supervision and a highly structured schedule of individual or group therapy sessions, behavioral therapy and recreational activities to help you uncover the root cause of your addiction. An intensive outpatient program may also be an option if you have a strong support system at home that can help with relapse prevention and long-term addiction recovery.
How Long Does It Take to Detox From Painkillers?
How long does it take to detox is a common question from our patients. Length of detox from painkillers mostly depends on the type of drug taken during painkiller abuse, how long you’ve been taking it, the severity of your withdrawal symptoms and the duration of those symptoms. There are short-acting and long-acting prescription opioids.
Withdrawal symptoms for short-acting opioid painkillers, such as morphine and immediate-release hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl, typically appear within the first 8 to 24 hours after the last dosage. Symptoms usually last up to 10 days.
For long-acting opioids, such as methadone and extended-release morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl and hydrocodone, withdrawal symptoms usually appear within 36 hours after the last dosage and can last up to 14 days or longer. However, there are a few additional factors that can affect the withdrawal timeline, including:
- Amount of drugs in your system at the time of detox
- Length and severity of your opioid abuse
- Physical health
- Mental health
- Genetics and biology
- Detoxing in a rehabilitation center or at home
Opioid withdrawal symptoms usually aren’t life-threatening, especially when they’re medically supervised by a clinical professional. Mild symptoms, such as fatigue, depression or irritability, may last for months and may require additional ongoing support through intensive outpatient programs.
Why You Shouldn’t Quit Cold Turkey
Quitting cold turkey can cause serious complications you may not be able to treat at home. A detox program provides medical guidance from a doctor who understands the risks and can track your progress. Licensed therapists and other medical professionals are also on staff to help you build strong coping skills to prevent relapse and sustain long-term recovery.
While detoxing, strong drug cravings may kick in, increasing the chance of relapse. Between how powerful these cravings can be and the tolerance your body has built up from repeated use, you may take more of the drug than your body can handle, resulting in a fatal overdose. Under clinical supervision, a doctor can monitor your side effects and prescribe medications to reduce cravings.
Painkiller Detox in Boynton Beach, Florida, at Summit Detox
If you’ve been struggling with a painkiller addiction, Summit Detox is here to help. Our Boynton Beach rehab center offers a range of addiction services from medical detox to residential treatment. Contact us today by calling (888) 995-5265 to begin your recovery journey.
