What is the Opioid Detox Timeline?

Dealing with addiction can be challenging enough without having to worry about health issues and the potential effects of withdrawal. Unfortunately, almost every drug that has the potential to become addictive also carries with it the risk of withdrawal and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. When you begin the detox process, your body starts to readjust to being without a particular substance, leading to the symptoms we know as withdrawal. Opioids are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in America, and they too have the potential for withdrawal. 

At Grace Recovery, we know how difficult withdrawal from opioids can be, and that’s why we want to give all of our clients the information and tools they need to find help and get sober. In this post, we will talk about opioids, what they are, what opioid withdrawal looks like, how to detox from opioids, and what the opioid detox timeline looks like.

What Are Opioids? 

Opioids are a specific classification of drugs that doctors most often prescribed to treat and manage pain. In fact, opioids are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in America. Many of them have become heavily regulated due to the potential for addiction. 

Opioids consist not only of medications prescribed by doctors but also illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl. The combination of the availability of prescription drugs and illicit substances makes opioids incredibly addictive and so widely available that millions of Americans struggle with opioid addiction every year.

Do Opioid Users Need Detox Programs? 

Just like most other drugs, there is the potential for addiction when using opioids. This is because of the way that the drug interacts with the body by manipulating the brain and the central nervous system. 

Once a person becomes addicted to opioids, there is a chance for them to go through withdrawal if they stop using the drug, particularly if they stop abruptly. Withdrawal can be dangerous and risky without proper medical supervision. For this reason, detox programs are highly recommended in order to manage the effects of withdrawal and provide the proper assistance that a person needs to truly stop using the drug.

What Are the Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal? 

Opioid withdrawal can begin as soon as within a few hours of stopping use. During this time, the person may experience both physical and emotional/mental symptoms as the body tries to adjust to the lack of opioids in the system. 

Physical symptoms include sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, and agitation. These can manifest alongside typical addiction symptoms like intense cravings as well. 

A person may also experience mental or emotional symptoms as they adjust, such as fear, anxiety or depression, restlessness, inability to focus, and extreme mood swings. 

These symptoms always carry a risk of combining with existing health issues, which raises the likelihood of complications from withdrawal, making it even more important that medical supervision is present.

What is the Timeline for Opioid Withdrawal? 

It is important to remember that each and every case of withdrawal is different and that a whole range of different factors can dictate the length and severity of withdrawal, so this is merely a generalized opioid detox timeline. 

For most short-acting prescribed opioids, you can expect the opioid detox timeline or symptoms of withdrawal to last from around 3-4 days, or up to two weeks, depending on the length of use and strength of the dosage as well as other health factors.

Are There Opioid Detox Programs Near Me? 

The safest way to get clean of opioids is by going to a professional Southern California detox program like ours here at Grace Recovery. We have a highly trained medical staff that is there with you throughout the entire process so that you can focus on recovery and not the effects of the withdrawal. 
Not only do we offer a full detoxification program, but we have a wide array of programs such as Los Angeles residential inpatient care, outpatient programs, dual diagnosis, and more. Our goal is to treat the cause of the addiction and get our clients on the road to recovery for a lifetime. If you or a loved one are suffering from opioid addiction, the time is now to get them the help they need, and you can start by contacting us here at Grace Recovery.