The brain is integral to healing. But, when opioids impact how the brain works, quitting requires extra support. A medically supervised drug detox program can protect clients from the worst withdrawal symptoms. Such a program is especially important for opioid detox. Opioid drugs work with portions of the brain and nerves, and therefore, stopping these drugs or lowering their doses creates withdrawal effects that may need monitoring. A detox facility, such as Baltimore Detox Center, can serve those quitting opioids with a combination of outstanding care and expertise.
What Are Opioid Drugs?
Opioids make up a large group of drugs that include prescriptions like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and illegal drugs like heroin. Drugs in this group ease pain and make the person feel good. However, they can also produce physical dependence, even when taken by prescription. Consequently, stopping these drugs or reducing the doses can cause withdrawal. Therefore, many people cannot quit opioid drugs alone.
Why Is Opioid Detox Important?
An opioid detox program includes medications some clients will need to shorten their withdrawal or to lessen the side effects. With medicine and mental and physical support through a local drug detox center, quitting opioids is possible.
Withdrawal from opioid use can start in less than a day after reducing a dose or quitting. Initially, side effects will include a runny nose, watery eyes, agitation, insomnia, aches, and sweating. However, the opioid withdrawal effects will change following the first symptoms, including upset stomach, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. How long these last depends on how long the addiction lasted, the type of opioid taken, and the dosage amounts of opioid drugs used.
What Are Signs That Someone Needs Opioid Detox?
One of the major signs that someone requires medically supervised opioid detox is if they cannot quit on their own. Often the withdrawal effects prevent people from completing detox at home. This inability to quit without help is a sign of dependency. Anyone with a physical dependence on opioid drugs needs detox help to quit. Other signs of needing detox followed by an opioid addiction recovery program include:
- Taking prescription opioid drugs more often or in higher amounts than prescribed
- Doctor shopping for additional opioid prescriptions
- Experiencing problems with money or the law from getting opioid drugs
- Separating from friends and family
- Having problems at school or work
- Feeling mood swings
The above signs indicate a possible addiction to opioid drugs and a need for detox and treatment in a professional facility.
What Happens After Opioid Detox?
Following opioid detox, patients need therapy. The mental health treatments for addictions may include:
- Family therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Depression treatment
These types of treatments connect clients with the psychological side of addiction and how to change their thinking to prevent relapse. In fact, clients may still feel mental cravings for opioid drugs after detox. However, the treatments that follow detox help them to deal with these cravings in healthy ways.
Enter Into Opioid Detox at Maryland’s Second Freestanding Facility – Baltimore Detox Center
People near Baltimore wanting to quit opioids have an option at the state’s second freestanding detox facility, Baltimore Detox Center. Medical and mental support for opioid detoxification is close at hand.
We have many ways of helping clients to recognize their roles in their family and friend circles. In fact, family therapy is a staple treatment for many of our clients. Our program meets individual client needs, whether they need family therapy or another form of help to break out of opioid addiction. Connect with our team by phone at [Direct] or through a message on our website to find out more about our detox and recovery programs.