Opioid painkillers, including prescription drugs like Codeine and Dilaudid, can be very addictive. People who use them often develop a physical dependency and experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit.

Medical detox programs use medications to make withdrawal less uncomfortable, and they can help prevent drug cravings that may arise during recovery. Medications also play an important role in long-term treatment at a rehab center.

Medically Assisted Detoxification

Detoxification is the process of removing drugs from your body, and it can be very uncomfortable. Medications can be used to ease withdrawal symptoms, alleviate co-occurring health issues, and improve overall comfort during detox. Detox is much safer when done under medical supervision and in a medically-supervised program.

Drug withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the substance being abused. Some are more physical, while others are psychological. In many cases, medications can be used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and help an individual manage cravings during detox.

Medically supervised detox can be lifesaving, especially when it’s followed by drug addiction treatment. Most programs are based in hospitals, which offer a more comprehensive medical evaluation and can choose the safest detox protocol for an individual’s unique situation. They also have medical specialists available to address any health concerns during the detox process. This can be vital for long term abstinence success. [1]

Medications

Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain and body and reduce pain signals, feelings of pain, and anxiety. At high doses, they also produce euphoria. Some opioids, such as heroin, are illegal drugs of abuse, but others, like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are legally prescribed by doctors to treat severe or chronic pain. When used incorrectly or for long periods of time, these medications can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped suddenly.

During early acute, up to 36 hours after your last opioid dose, you may experience a variety of physical discomforts including flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, sweating), anxiety, and cravings. These symptoms are part of the drug’s detoxification process and will eventually subside. During full-blown acute, symptoms are much more pronounced and include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, agitation, and fever. This phase can last up to a week or more, depending on your history of opioid use.

Counseling

People who use opiates long-term have unintentionally conditioned their brains to depend on the chemicals they introduce into their body to feel normal. Without those chemicals, these individuals will experience painful and traumatic withdrawal symptoms. Medications can be helpful during both the detoxification and ongoing treatment phases for opiate addiction. They work to reduce cravings, block the euphoric effects of opioids, relieve physiological withdrawal symptoms and contribute to long-term sobriety.

A successful recovery from opiate or opioid addiction requires more than just medically assisted detox. Counseling is a crucial component for identifying the root causes of addiction and developing a plan to address them. During the inpatient treatment phase, counseling can include one-on-one and group therapy sessions, 12-step programs and other complementary therapies. These therapies can help you find the motivation and support to continue your recovery well after you leave an opiate rehab facility.

Residential Treatment

Medications can help you avoid the symptoms that often lead to relapse. These can include cravings, anxiety and depression that may last for weeks or months. Medications like methadone or buprenorphine can reduce opioid cravings and stabilize brain activity. They can also be prescribed as long-term medication to prevent withdrawal symptoms in people who have been abusing opiates for a prolonged period of time.

Medical detox programs offer emotional support and can use complementary therapies like massage or restorative yoga to help ease your discomfort. They also provide you with a safe environment where your symptoms can be controlled. They are best for people who have a supportive home life and those who need a less intensive program than residential treatment.

Residential treatment offers a live-in facility where you have around the clock care. It’s typically recommended for those with severe addictions or those who have co-occurring mental health issues. Residential treatment programs can last anywhere from 30 to 90 days.