The first step towards addiction recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Making the decision to enter detox is the right one if you have an opiate addiction, although it is difficult. But detox is the one process leading directly to a real chance for sobriety and the life you want. Opiate detox symptoms are unpleasant. But a licensed detox facility provides the help, comfort, safety, and support you need to gain recovery.
Opiate Detox Symptoms Explained
Opiates and their closely-related medications called opioids include a variety of drugs used both legally and illegally. These drugs include heroin, codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone. Many people develop addiction from prescription medications.
Both opiates and opioids cause similar withdrawal symptoms. At the beginning of an opiate detox program, detox symptoms include watery eyes, sweating, runny nose, sleeplessness, muscle pain, and anxiety. Later, these detox symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, shaking, restlessness, high blood pressure, and detox symptoms increased heart rate. Chills, sweating, goosebumps, and dilated pupils also occur.
These opiate detox symptoms start about 12 to 30 hours after your last dose of your chosen drug. The symptoms last from four to 10 days for most people. But some people experience the effects of opioid withdrawal for up to 21 days.
Long-term withdrawal symptoms called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) last as long as several months. These symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, and poor decision-making skills.
Why Enter an Opiate Detox Program?
Drug detox is not as dangerous as once shown in television programs or movies. But this process is very uncomfortable, so it is important to seek professional help when proceeding to detox. How much discomfort you experience depends on individual factors, such as the type of drug you use, your dose, the frequency of use, length of your addiction, and your physical and mental condition.
Someone with a long history of opiate abuse experiences worse symptoms than someone in good health with early addiction to the same drug. People with mental conditions of a dual diagnosis, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD, also experience more difficult symptoms. How you experience withdrawal is entirely unique to you and your history.
In an opiate detox program, you are kept safe, comfortable, and supported throughout withdrawal. The experienced staff ensures you receive proper nutrition, hydration, and the medications you need for the worst symptoms. In an accredited detox you also receive a variety of therapies, including:
- Family therapy program
- Group therapy program
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program
- Psychotherapy program
- Chiropractic care program
These therapies help you start recovery with a healthy mindset. They pave the way for future therapies of rehab, where you gain life, coping, and relapse prevention skills.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston
Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston, Texas provides the healthy first steps to recovery. Using their expertise, resources, and tools, professionals of Serenity House Detox & Recovery ensure your withdrawal is safe, supported, and secure. This care prepares you for rehab and lasting recovery.
We provide a wide array of treatment programs to help your loved one see a brighter future. Some of the programs at Serenity House Detox & Recovery include:
- Medical detox program
- Men’s detox program
- Women’s detox program
- Opiate detox program
- Heroin detox program
- Alcohol detox program
When you are ready for sobriety, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866.516.8356. With the right support and care, you can gain recovery. That treatment is available at Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston, TX. Do not let addiction control your life any longer. Get the help that you need today and start on the next chapter of your life.