It is very hard to go through an opiate detox. Opiates are drugs such as heroin and any narcotic prescribed for pain. Opiate addiction is actually a physical illness. There are so many physical symptoms that go along with detoxing, it makes it very difficult. You need to have support of a professional and your family or friends. A professional can give you other drugs, such as Methadone, to help stop the withdrawal pain and symptoms. The opiate withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, body aches, hot and cold flashes. The people usually report that they felt like they had the worst flu they had ever experienced. In a professional detox setting, they can gradually reduce your medicines, so that you are not quitting cold turkey. You would not experience all of the detox symptoms. Once the person is completely withdrawn from the drug, they should consider a residential rehab program and counseling.
There is another form of opiate detox that will detox you in under 48 hours. With this treatment the client is put under using anesthesia for 48 hours. During this time they push lots of fluids and other drugs through your system to basically flush the system. The body does not actually feel the pain of withdrawals. Some doctors are urging clients to avoid this type of detox, because there have been some reported deaths after detox. They believe that your body is still trying to adjust to the change, even though the client may feel good. the treatment sounds good, you go in on a Friday and will be back to work on Monday. No painful withdrawals, sounds like a great way to go. The client needs to make the decision on which treatment they wish to use, and which they think will work best. After either type of treatment there are drugs available to keep you from craving opiates. These are recommended for a while after detox. Counseling is also recommended to help deal with the problems after detox.
Opiate addiction has become a huge problem in recent years. This affects all types of people, not just the typical drug addict. The addiction usually starts with a physical illness or injury, that requires the person to be on some type of pain medication. The injured person actually needs the medicine to feel comfortable. After a while the body begins wanting more and more of the drug. It is very easy for anyone to become addicted to opiates. Once the person runs out of pills, they start feeling the physical withdrawal symptoms. Then they think that they are still in pain from the injury, so they go to try to get more opiates to relieve the pain. This is a cycle that does not quit until the person realizes they are addicted. The body creates more pain caused by withdrawals which makes the person think they need more. Patients should be careful with the length of time they are using pain medications. Remember this addiction can affect anyone.
Getting help is best done in a drug rehab setting, one where they have a full medical detox unit and a residential program as well. You might consult an intervention specialist in order to help convince the struggling addict in your life that it is time to get help. Sometimes all that is needed is a clean break and a few weeks of detox to let the mind clear for an addict to get their bearings and get started on a new life in recovery.
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