Understanding Opioid Addiction

What Causes Opioid Addiction?

Opioid addiction, or opioid use disorder (OUD), can be caused by a combination of many factors, such as genetic predisposition, environmental influences, personal history, or brain chemistry. 

Opioids interact with the brain’s reward system, causing feelings of euphoria (high). This is because opioids bind to specific receptors of the brain that trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that causes feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Over time, this can cause tolerance, physical dependence, and cravings, which can lead to substance abuse and addiction.

The most common reason why people become addicted to this type of drug is due to the use of prescription opioids. Though effective for treating pain, the overprescribing of such has been considered one of the leading causes of the opioid abuse epidemic.

Medical professionals are now more careful about the prescribing of opioid pain medicines to reduce misuse. Even when used correctly, however, addiction can still occur, hence the increased oversight of opioid medications.

What Is Considered an Opiate?

Pharmacology defines an opiate as a drug naturally derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum).

An opioid, on the other hand, can be synthetic or semi-synthetic and bind to the opioid receptors in the brain. All opiates are opioids, but not all opioids are opiates.

What Is the Most Addictive Opioid Drug?

Fentanyl is currently considered one of the most addictive opioids due to its high risk of misuse and potency, which can lead to overdose and death.

Other opioids that see a high rate of misuse and addiction include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine. This is due to its availability as a prescription medication for pain relief. Fentanyl, however, is often made illegally, which makes it easier to access, as most prescription opioids can be harder to obtain.

How Do I Know If I Have an Opioid Addiction?

There are several signs that you may have an opioid addiction, some of which include:

• Being unable to fulfill responsibilities at work, home, or school due to opioid use
• Isolating yourself from loved ones or withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed to conceal drug use
• Doctor shopping, in which you go to different doctors or medical settings to obtain opioids, usually by exaggerating pain symptoms 
• Most of your day is spent thinking about, obtaining, using, and recovering from opioid use
• Experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking opioids 
• Taking or stealing opioid medication prescribed to others 
• Attempts to stop or cut down on opioid use end in failure 
• Lying about your opioid use to your loved ones or doctor 
• Being unable to stop using opioids even when you know they are hurting you or your loved ones 

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s time to seek immediate help. Addiction treatment facilities like Crystal Cove Recovery are staffed by expert medical and mental health care professionals and can help you take the first step in recovery.

Can Opioid Addiction Cause Long-Term Health Issues?

Opioid addiction can cause several long-term health issues, including:

• Adrenal insufficiency (when your adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol)
• Abscesses and skin infections (from injecting opioids)
• Lung damage and chronic respiratory issues (from smoking opioids)
• Central sleep apnea
• Sexual dysfunction
• Itching
• Insomnia
• Deviated septum and nosebleeds (from snorting opioids)
• Constipation
• Permanent behavior changes and mood swings
• Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH)

Some short-term side effects can also occur with long-term use, which can include:

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Nausea and vomiting

Understanding Opioid Detox

What Is Opioid Detox?

Opioid detox is the process by which opioids (or other substances) are naturally eliminated from your body. 

This is done by tapering and gradually reducing the amount of opioids in your system, as this gradual reduction can help prevent or reduce some withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms you will have are then managed with the help of medical professionals and clinicians to keep you comfortable. Once you are stabilized, you can transition into further treatment.

How Long Does Opioid Detox last?

The exact time it takes for you to detox from opioids varies, but typically it’s between 7 and 10 days.

How long you were taking opioids, the dosage, genetics, and your physical health can all influence how long detox will take. Even when detox is complete, you may still experience withdrawal symptoms that can persist for some time.

Do I Need Detox?

Yes, detox is an essential step to lasting addiction recovery and healing. 

Once you have detoxed, your body will begin its natural healing process. You will also be able to focus on recovery without the pain and discomfort of unmanaged withdrawal symptoms. Without detox, recovery is unlikely, and continued opioid abuse will continue to damage your brain and body.

How Can I Find Opioid Detox Near Me?

Using online resources like FindTreatment.gov and local resources, such as hospitals, is a great way to find a detox facility close to you.

Check major cities in your state, as many will have local treatment facilities near or close to them. For example, Crystal Cove Recovery is located roughly an hour away from Los Angeles, California.

Can I Detox at Home?

Detoxing at home is considered very risky, as you won’t have immediate medical help available should your withdrawal symptoms become severe or life-threatening. 

For the safest and most comfortable detox experience, it’s recommended that you seek the help of medical professionals.

Opioid Withdrawal

What Are Some Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?

The early symptoms of opioid withdrawal typically begin 6-12 hours after last use, and can include:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose and teary eyes 
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Frequent yawning
• Chills and fever
• Upset stomach
• Intense cravings for opioids 

Later symptoms of opioid withdrawal typically peak at 72 hours after last use, and can include or intensify earlier symptoms. 

New symptoms you may experience include:

• Hyperreflexia (overactive or overresponsive bodily reflexes)
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• High blood pressure/rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing 
• High body temperature
• Fatigue
• Tremors
• Depression (may, along with anxiety and irritability, persist for weeks after last use)

These symptoms are also known as opioid withdrawal syndrome.

What Are Some Treatments for Opioid Withdrawal?

Withdrawal management uses medications and medical monitoring to keep you safe and comfortable during opioid withdrawal. 

Other methods include providing well-balanced meals, counseling, and a safe, private setting to rest without stress.

What Is the Timeline for Opioid Withdrawal?

The timeline for withdrawal depends on the opioid, and can last anywhere from four days to a week or longer.

Fast-acting opioids like heroin or oxycodone typically have withdrawal symptoms that last between four and five days. However, withdrawal symptoms for slow-acting opioids, like OxyContin, can last for a week or more.

Medications Commonly Used

Will I Receive Medications During Detox?

Yes, you will receive medications during detox to help you safely and comfortably detox and manage withdrawal symptoms. 

The medications you will receive in detox vary depending on your specific needs and withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Some Medications Commonly Used in Opioid Detox?

Some medications you may encounter in opioid detox include:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone®): Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Methadone: A full agonist used in inpatient or outpatient settings for stabilization.
• Clonidine: Helps manage withdrawal-related anxiety, sweating, and blood pressure.
• Naltrexone: Blocks opioid receptors to prevent relapse once detox is complete.
• Naloxone (Narcan®): Emergency medication to reverse opioid overdose.

Is There a New Medication for Opiate Withdrawal?

Lucemyra® (lofexidine) is currently the newest FDA-approved nonopioid prescription medicine used in the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Disclaimer: Not all detox facilities will offer this medication. If you want to try it, please speak with your care team. Never take a new medication without the advice of a medical professional or without being aware of potential side effects.

Supportive Care During Detox

What Types of Supportive Care Are Available During Detox?

While in medical detox, you will have access to emotional, mental, and physical supportive care.

Detox can be difficult, so treatment facilities work to ensure that their clients feel safe, comfortable, and supported. This ranges from withdrawal symptom relief to future discharge planning, so you are not stressed about further care.

What Emotional or Mental Health Support Is Offered During Detox?

Clients in detox are supported with counseling by licensed therapists and peer support groups. 

Counseling sessions can be individual or in a group, and are part of your treatment plan. Specifically, you will learn skills such as coping strategies and emotional regulation. Your therapist will utilize supportive interventions and case management to better aid in your recovery.

Peer support networks are crucial, as they help you see that you are not alone. This understanding support can give you hope and strength in what can feel like an isolating and challenging time.

How Do Healthcare Professionals Monitor Progress During Detox?

Medical healthcare professionals provide 24-hour support and access to medical care throughout the detox process to ensure your safety and well-being. 

This involves gathering valuable health information during detox to ensure your safety. You will be frequently checked up on to monitor your health and to check on your detox progress through blood work and other lab services. Detox involves a lot of follow-up between you and your team to keep you informed on your progress and make sure you’re okay.

Any underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or hypertension, is also monitored by your team.

What to Expect During Opioid Detox

Will I Have 24 Hour Supervision During Detox?

Yes, a team of medical professionals will provide 24-hour supervision during detox. 

This is to ensure that your withdrawal symptoms are managed effectively and that you are safe and comfortable.

What Physical Symptoms Might I Experience During Detox?

Some physical symptoms you might experience during opioid detox include:

• Teary eyes
• Sweating
• Runny nose
• Constant yawning
• Headaches and body aches
• Blurry vision
• Hyperreflexia (overactive or overresponsive bodily reflexes)
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• High blood pressure/rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing 
• High body temperature
• Fatigue
• Tremors

You may or may not experience all of these symptoms, but fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, sweating, and aches are very common throughout opioid detox.

How Long Does the Detox Process Typically Take?

The exact time it takes for a person to detox varies by individual, but most complete detox between 7 and 10 days. 

Some people may detox sooner or later than this time frame due to their physical health, the severity of their use of opioids, the type of opioid they were taking, and how long they were using them.

Treatment Options After Opioid Detox

What Kind of Ongoing Treatment Is Recommended After Detox?

The most recommended treatment program after detox is complete is residential treatment and further medication management if needed.

Opioid addiction recovery is best aided by the use of other treatment programs that gradually transition you back into normal life with the skills and tools needed to remain in recovery.

Typically, clients go from detox to residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and then aftercare services, depending on their individual treatment plan. Some will need more medication management, especially if they have lasting withdrawal symptoms.

Are There Different Types of Addiction Therapy Available?

Yes, there are many kinds of therapies used in treating addiction.

What you or a loved one will use as part of a treatment program will vary depending on unique needs. However, some of the most common evidence-based therapies used in addiction treatment are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and group therapy.

How Can I Prevent Relapse After Completing Detox?

The best way to prevent a relapse is to participate in a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Detox by itself is not enough to fully prevent relapse or promote recovery. This is because drug abuse and addiction are a multifaceted issue that takes specialized help to fully recover. Detox is usually the first step in addiction treatment, but is then followed up with residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and then aftercare.

Most people immediately begin inpatient or residential treatment once they complete detox.

Are There Support Groups or Community Resources Available Post-Detox?

Many resources exist for those post-detox, including programs such as 12-Step programs, SMART Recovery, and support groups. 

Substance use disorder (SUD) of any type can be difficult to recover from, but community resources make finding understanding support easier. To find out where your local support groups or community resources are, contact your local addiction treatment facility or hospital.

FAQs

What happens after detox?

Once detox is completed, you move into the next appropriate treatment program.

Recovery is not just detox alone. You will also need dedicated treatment programs to help not just treat your addiction, but the underlying causes too. Most commonly, you will go either into residential or outpatient treatment once detox is completed.

How effective is detoxification for long-term recovery?

Detoxification is very effective in helping you prepare your body for long-term recovery. 

Without detox, it’s difficult to stabilize enough to go through treatment. Most times, withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable or even life-threatening, which makes people turn again to drug use to prevent these symptoms, even when they want to stop.

In the case of opioid dependence, detox will help you go through the worst of withdrawal safely and comfortably so you don’t feel forced to use opioids again.

Note that detox alone is not enough for lasting recovery. It takes a comprehensive treatment plan to fully recover from substance use and abuse.

How long does it take for the brain to recover from opioid addiction?

The time it will take for your brain to recover from opioid addiction varies depending on your personal health and the duration and severity of use. 

Some cognitive functions typically begin to improve within several weeks, but full recovery can take months or even years. It’s important to work closely with your medical and mental health care providers to ensure a smoother recovery.

What foods help ease withdrawal?

Withdrawal symptoms can cause gastrointestinal issues, so a balanced diet high in fiber with lots of complex carbohydrates is recommended to reduce discomfort. 

Some foods in particular that can help you stay nourished through withdrawal include vegetables, raspberries, eggs, beans, whole grains, and peas. Of course, it’s also important to stay hydrated, so drinking plenty of water is also helpful.

How long is considered long-term opioid use?

It’s considered long-term opioid use when you take opioids for more than three months.

Opioid addiction affects countless people across the United States. At best, it severely interrupts your life, while at worst, it can cause a deadly overdose. Seeking help for opioid addiction is a life-saving measure, but what happens after you start your recovery journey? The answer is medical detox, an essential step to help you or a loved one begin the recovery journey. Here at Crystal Cove Recovery in Orange County, CA, we offer compassionate, safe, and quality medical detox services for those struggling with addiction. We can help you stabilize and manage withdrawal symptoms, allowing you to focus on what’s truly important: recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, don’t wait; call (949) 227-4306 today.