Opioids are the most addictive prescription drugs on the market today. They are designed to interact with the Opioid receptors in the brain, which not only blocks the pain but also creates a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. In a very short time, Opioids will rewire your brain so that your body can adapt to their presence. Soon, a person cannot function normally without Opioids, which results in detox symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, using Opioids for just five days can result in an addiction.
How Long Does it Take For Withdrawal To Begin?
If a person is addicted to Opioids, it can take between 6 and 12 hours after their last dose for the withdrawal symptoms to begin. This is one of the reasons that so many people have trouble quitting. Many addicts would rather take another dose than go through the detox symptoms. They know that if they have another fix, they will have the euphoric feeling that they crave, and the withdrawal symptoms will end.
What Are the Symptoms Of Withdrawal?
The symptoms of Opioid withdrawal are incredibly uncomfortable, and they can be dangerous. The severity of the symptoms would depend on how chemically addicted a person is. The longer a person is using Opioids, the worse their symptoms will be. They include:
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
How Long Does It Take To Detox?
The detox process varies from person to person. There length of time that the detox symptoms last would depend on a few factors, including:
- The period of time a person has been abusing Opioids
- The level of chemical dependency
- The amount they have been taking regularly
- The type of Opioid they were using
- A person’s age
- Their genetics
- Their overall health
- Being addicted to alcohol or other drugs
Overall, the longer a person has been using and the more they have been taking, the longer it will take for them to detox completely.
What Are the Stages of Detox?
The stages of detox come in stages, depending on how long it has been since you last used it.
- 6 to 24-hours since the last use: During this time, a person will start to have cravings for the drug. This is the point where many people take another dose because the cravings are so intense. Anxiety and depression will also set in. After that comes nausea and vomiting. When a person has nothing left in their stomach, dry heaves can begin.
- 36 to 48-hours since the last use: During this time, abdominal cramps are common. The person will also start sweating, and they will develop a runny nose. Finally, nausea and vomiting will continue. During this stage, people often get desperate for another dose just to make the symptoms dissipate.
- 48-72 hours since the last use: During this time, diarrhea is common. Insomnia will also set in along with muscle pain. In severe cases, hallucinations can begin at this point, and possibly seizures. This is one of the most critical points of the detox process, mainly if hallucinations and seizures occur.
How Can I Detox Safely?
Trying to detox cold turkey is usually not effective. When the detox symptoms become too severe, the addict will want to take more Opioids just to make the pain and discomfort stop. It can also be harmful to a person’s health to detox without the necessary monitoring and medication. The safest way to detox is at a treatment center. There, a person can be monitored by a professional medical staff, and they can begin Anesthesia-Assisted Rapid Detox medications. These medications won’t make the detox process painless, but they will make a person more comfortable while they are detoxing. Also, IV fluids are necessary to prevent dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. If a person becomes severely dehydrated, it can cause several serious health problems.
If you have an Opioid addiction, your best chance of detoxing safely and getting clean is to check into Grace Recovery in Hollywood, CA. When you first check in, you will begin safe detoxification. When the drugs are out of your system, you will move onto our state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation program where you will get the individual, group, and family counseling that you need to continue with your sobriety. We will also give you the tools necessary to remain clean after leaving the program. We can help set you up in a sober living house, continue your one-on-one and group therapy, and help you find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings. According to The American Addiction Center, addicts who quit cold turkey are 40 to 60 percent more likely to have a relapse. The best way to get clean and stick to your sobriety is to check into Grace Recovery addiction treatment in Hollywood.