While opiates can be an effective drug for treating pain, they also come with a high risk of addiction. This addiction can cause serious effects on your mental and physical health – sometimes even resulting in death. The Health Resources and Services shares that more than 130 people a day die of opioid overdose.
If you or a loved one struggles with a dependence on opiates, it’s important to know that there are resources to help you successfully detox and regain a healthy lifestyle. This is where opiate detox centers come in. We’ll cover how opiates work, what to expect during opiate detox, and the type of addiction treatment services to look for when searching for medical detox facilities.
Understanding How Opiates Work
Opiates are a type of drug that comes from the opium poppy plant. Certain opiates may be prescribed by a doctor and others are illicit. These include:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Morphine
- Opium
- Thebaine
The Effects Of Opiate Addiction
Why are opiates so addictive? They activate feelings of pleasure and euphoria in the brain. But these good feelings eventually subside and leave you wanting them again quickly. If you take opiates over time, it can lead to tolerance and needing to take more of the drug to get the same effects. Some of these negative effects include:
- Brain damage
- Nausea/upset stomach
- Slowed breathing rate
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Infectious diseases from sharing needles (HIV)
- Hypoxia
- Confusion
- Overdose
- Death
Medical Detox From Opiates
When somebody is addicted to opiates, it can alter how the body operates. This can make unsupervised withdrawal dangerous. Programs specifically designed to help you detox from drugs, like opiates, create a safe environment to rid your body of the substance, and develop healthy habits for long-term sobriety.
Opiate Detox Centers Near Nashville
At Brentwood Springs Detox, we provide evidence-based detox services in a calm and relaxing environment. Our compassionate clinicians and addiction specialists will walk with you every step of the way of your treatment program. Contact us at (615) 560-7545 to learn more about the comprehensive detox services we offer.
What Is Medical Detox?
Medical detox uses medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in a structured and supervised environment to help you manage withdrawal symptoms. Your addiction treatment team will take time to understand the nature of your addiction and any underlying physical and mental health conditions. From there, they’ll create a treatment plan and medication that’s tailored to your needs.
Your treatment team may prescribe detox medication, including:
- Buprenorphine: This was the first medication prescribed to treat opioid abuse It is a partial opioid antagonist that blocks opioid drugs from binding to the brain’s opioid receptors. It helps to diminish cravings and withdrawal symptoms as it decreases your physical dependence on opioids.
- Clonidine: This drug works by reducing withdrawal symptoms you may experience during detox, such as anxiety, muscle aches, and sweating. However, it does not reduce cravings.
- Methadone: This is a long-acting full opioid agonist. It blocks the euphoric effects of opioids and also helps diminish the adverse withdrawal symptoms during detox.
- Naltrexone: This is a non-addictive substance that blocks opioid receptors in the brain and helps prevent relapse. If taken while still on opioids, it can bring on a sudden bout of intense withdrawal symptoms.
Keep in mind, it’s crucial to work with medical professionals during medically assisted detox. They’ll be able to monitor your progress and adjust your medication as needed. Your medication regimen should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates counseling, continuous monitoring, and social support.
How Long Does It Take To Detox From Opiates?
Opioid withdrawal can look different for each person, depending on how long someone has been taking the drug and which type of drug they’ve become addicted to. But it tends to follow these three stages:
Stage one: This is when withdrawal symptoms begin. They can start within a matter of hours, depending on the half-life of the drug. However, for extended-release opioids, the withdrawal symptoms can take two to three days before they start. These symptoms can include anxiety, a runny nose, sensitivity to light, and a preoccupation with taking more opioids.
Stage two: This is when withdrawal symptoms intensify and hit their peak. The second stage may occur within a day to five days, depending on the type of substance. It can cause you to feel extremely sick with flu-like symptoms, a rapid heart rate, nausea, sweating, and intense drug cravings.
Stage three: During this time, symptoms will start to subside. This could range anywhere from within a week to multiple weeks. As cravings decrease, it’s important to make sure you have the support you need to continue to abstain from taking the drug.
Choosing An Inpatient Medical Detox Program
Choosing to withdraw from opiates can seem overwhelming but it’s a necessary first step to getting back to a healthier lifestyle. Thankfully, you don’t have to go through the journey alone. Medical detox centers can provide the support you need during detox to cope with any physical and emotional symptoms you may experience.
When you come to a detox facility like Brentwood Springs Detox, you can expect to receive support every step of the way. From admissions to aftercare planning, we provide clinical expertise and compassionate care to help you break free from addiction and establish healthy habits for life.
Admission Process For Medical Detox Center In Nashville
During the admission process, our team will take a look at factors such as your medical history, mental health status, and history of substance use. This helps us understand the severity of substance dependency and create a treatment plan that is tailored to meet your needs.
What To Expect At A Center For Addiction Treatment
Inpatient detox programs provide a relaxing setting so you can spend your time and energy on getting better. At Brentwood Springs, our drug and alcohol detox center is equipped with a full kitchen, living areas, and plenty of outdoor space. The multi-acre property allows you to get outside to walk the grounds or spend quiet time alone meditating or journaling.
A Typical Day At A Drug Detox Center
Your time at a drug detox center should be both structured and therapeutic to help you on your healing journey. There will also be regular check-ins to assess withdrawal symptoms and manage any medication intake. A typical day at a drug detox center might include:
- Morning medical check-up and withdrawal symptom management
- Breakfast
- Group therapy session
- Relaxation and personal reflection time
- Lunch
- Individual therapy session
- Relaxation or leisure activities
- Dinner
- 12-step meeting, therapy session, other evening group activity
- Rest for the next day
Holistic Addiction Treatment
During drug detox, you’ll have the opportunity to use holistic detox methods to aid your healing journey. These may include:
- Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy uses essential oils like rosemary, lavender, or peppermint to promote relaxation and ease withdrawal. This study shows how rosemary helped lessen the effects of opium withdrawal – namely symptoms including insomnia, bone pain, and perspiration.
- Meditation: This can help you deal with triggers in a healthy way by taking time to clear your mind and filter out negative thoughts.
- Nutrition: Oftentimes, an addiction to drugs can cause you to become deficient in certain nutrients. Incorporating a nutritious diet into your detox plan can help you cope with withdrawal symptoms and become healthier overall.
- Yoga: During detox, yoga can help promote relaxation, relieve pain, and improve overall health. This study shows how incorporating yoga into a medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder helped to reduce stress.
Mental Health Services
During opiate detox, you can expect mental health support to play a major role in your recovery. This may include individual or group therapy sessions, along with other mindfulness practices. Participating in counseling will not only help you manage withdrawal symptoms but will also give you tools to deal with any triggers you may experience after detox.
Aftercare And Long-Term Addiction Treatment
Aftercare services are designed to help you maintain your sobriety after your drug detox program. Because relapse can be so prevalent, it’s important to choose an aftercare program that you can stick with for the long term. During your stay at an opiate detox center, you’ll have a chance to talk through the options that are available, including:
- Continuing education
- Financial planning
- Housing assistance
- Medical checkups
- Mental health services
- Relationship counseling
- Vocational training
Addiction Treatment In Nashville
Choosing to detox from opiates is a big step. Because of this, it’s important to choose a detox center that takes time to understand your unique needs and create a plan that is tailored to you. At Brentwood Springs, our team will support you every step of the way – from admissions to aftercare. Contact us at (615) 560-7545 to speak with a member of our team and learn more about the detox services we offer.
