Opioid Detox

Dangers of Opioid/Opiate Addiction

Opioid addiction can create many health-related issues and oftentimes leads to death. It can also create other addictions with an estimated 4 to 6 percent of people who misuse prescription opioids transitioning to heroin when their prescription runs out or becomes too expensive.

Dangers associated with excessive opioid use include:

• Infectious disease from using intravenous needles
• Respiratory arrest and death from overdosing
• Loss of employment
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to pain
• Excessive sweating
• Depression

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain after surgery or for late-stage cancer. The Center for Disease Control states that fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illicit fentanyl is often mixed with heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and xylazine, often without the user’s knowledge, putting them at a much higher risk for overdose and death.

While detoxing from fentanyl will follow the same process as other opioids, it presents its own unique challenges because of its potency and highly addictive nature. Prolonged use of fentanyl changes how the brain processes pain and emotions, making detox a difficult physical and mental adjustment. This level of discomfort is hard to endure, which is why it’s vital to have medical and social support during the process.

Withdrawing from Opioids & Opiates

Withdrawal symptoms will occur anytime long-term opioid and opiate use is stopped. Sudden cessation of opioid use can create severe health issues or even death, and it is recommended that anyone who demonstrates withdrawal symptoms from opioids undergo medically-supervised detox to remain safe and to increase chances of long-term recovery.

 Initial symptoms of withdrawal:

• Agitation and anxiety
• Insomnia
• Muscle aches
• Hot and cold flashes
• Sweating

Second stage symptoms of withdrawal:

• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Goosebumps
• Tremors

Depending on severity, medications may need administered to someone going through opioid withdrawal to alleviate discomfort and help the client through to the end of their detox program. Buprenorphine and Naltrexone, also commonly referred to by their brand names, Suboxone and Vivitrol®, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid use disorder. When administered by a medical professional or treatment provider, these medications have proven to be safe and effective.

Call (800) 475-2312 now to reach our opioid detox team in Gastonia. Don’t wait to receive quality care.