Opioid Withdrawal
Is it Safe to Detox From Home?
Opioids are a class of chemical substances that are both highly addictive and widely misused. The list of opioid narcotics includes illegal drugs like heroin, prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl. As it stands, opioid narcotics present one of the largest public health threats the country has ever seen. Opioid use and dependence affect millions of Americans, severely impacting individuals, families, and entire communities, and leading to an unprecedented number of overdose-related deaths. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and estimated 10.1 million individuals over the age of 12 misused opioids in the past year. Roughly 9.7 million individuals misused prescription painkillers and 745,000 people used heroin. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center, we thoroughly understand how devastating opioid addiction can be. We have developed an individualized and effective opioid detox program in New Jersey that does more than help clients undergo a safe, pain-free opioid withdrawal. We actively help prepare our clients to take the next appropriate step on their personal journeys of recovery, setting them up for continued success in sobriety. To learn more about our opioid detox program, contact us today.
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What Are Opioids?
Opioids, also known as narcotics, are a class of chemical substance that includes illegal drugs like heroin, prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Opioids work to relieve pain and increase feelings of pleasure and euphoria. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain messages sent through the central nervous system. Opioid painkillers are typically safe to use when taken exactly as prescribed by a medical professional. However, even those who are taking pain relieving medication as intended can build a physical tolerance over time, which can in turn lead to withdrawal when use is stopped abruptly. When an opioid of any kind is misused, the likelihood of physical dependence and accidental overdose increases significantly.
The Opioid Crisis
Over the course of the past several decades, opiate addiction has severely impacted the country as a whole. Central New Jersey and the Tri-State Area have been heavily affected, and prescription painkillers, fentanyl, and heroin are responsible for a significant number of substance use disorders and overdose-related deaths throughout the state. For some time, New Jersey has had one of the highest rates of opioid-related emergency room visits throughout the entire country. In 2016 alone, nearly 2,000 people lost their lives to opioid overdose statewide, and this number is expected to continuously increase as fentanyl becomes more widely accessible.
How did the nationwide opioid epidemic begin? In the mid-1990s, pharmaceutical companies began manufacturing painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, marketing these medications as safe, effective, and non-habit forming. Patients were prescribed these medications at an alarming rate, and many individuals developed a physical and psychological dependence over time. The U.S. government soon took notice, and began cracking down on distribution in order to avoid more cases of opioid dependence. Unfortunately, many people had already become physically dependent on the medication, and when they no longer had access to prescription painkillers they turned to heroin — a more affordable and accessible alternative.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “The number of drug overdose deaths increased by nearly 5% from 2018 to 2019 and has quadrupled since 19991. Over 70% of the 70,630 deaths in 2019 involved an opioid. From 2018 to 2019, there were significant changes in opioid-involved death rates:
- Opioid-involved death rates increased by over 6%.
- Prescription opioid-involved death rates decreased by nearly 7%.
- Heroin-involved death rates decreased by over 6%.
- Synthetic opioid-involved death rates (excluding methadone) increased by over 15%2.
If you or someone close to you has been suffering from an opioid use disorder, there is help available. Contact us today to learn more.
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Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Use
Individuals who have been struggling with an opioid use disorder will typically exhibit a wide range of behavioral, psychological and physical symptoms. If you believe you or someone close to you might be struggling with an opioid use disorder of any severity, there are several signs and symptoms to look for.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) outlines a list of diagnostic criteria associated with opioid use disorder. If you answer “yes” to two or more of the following questions, entering into a treatment program of some degree is likely a good idea. However, it is important to note that symptoms associated with opioid addiction vary in severity, and a multi-staged program of recovery is not an ideal option for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about what type of treatment program will best meet your unique, personal needs.
The DSM-V diagnostic criteria (1) for an opioid use disorder are outlined below. Ask yourself the following questions when attempting to determine whether or not professional treatment is right for you.
- Do you often use more opioids than intended for a longer period of time than intended?
- Have you attempted to cut back on the amount of opioid narcotics you ingest only to find yourself unable to cut back or quit for an extended period of time?
- Do you spend a significant amount of time obtaining opioids, using opioids and recovering from their effects?
- Are you often consumed by thoughts of using opioids, or do you experience cravings for your drug of choice throughout the day?
- Does using opioid narcotics or recovering from the effects of opioid use affect your ability to take care of personal responsibilities and obligations?
- Has opioid use caused issues and interpersonal problems between you and your family and/or friends?
- Have you given up activities you previously enjoyed because of your opioid use?
- Have you experienced an increase in risk-taking activities as a result of your opioid use, like combining opioids with other chemical substances, driving while under the influence of opioids, or obtaining a prescription opioid illegally?
- Have you experienced worsening symptoms of a physical or mental health problem as a direct result of your opioid use?
- Have you developed a physical tolerance, meaning a larger amount of the opioid narcotic is required in order for the desired effects to be achieved?
- Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using opioids abruptly?
Withdrawal & Detox Process
Although symptoms of opioid withdrawal are not typically life-threatening, they can be extremely uncomfortable and often drive an individual back to drug use before the detoxification process is over. Any individual who has been abusing opioids should avoid attempting to detox on their own, as the physical and mental symptoms can be overwhelming and potentially dangerous if not closely monitored by a team of medical professionals. Opioid detox should only be attempted in a safe and supportive environment. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer a combination of therapeutic care and around-the-clock medical supervision, assuring clients begin to heal on an integrated basis.
To alleviate the more severe symptoms of physical opioid withdrawal, we might prescribe safe, non-narcotic medications. All comfort medications are carefully administered by a licensed medical professional. We understand that every detoxification process will be different, and that what works for one client may not work for another. We conduct daily health assessments to ensure we are doing everything in our power to ensure each client remains as comfortable as possible. We also offer regular group and individual therapy sessions, so clients can begin focusing on a restoration of mental and emotional health as well as a return to physical health.
With exceptional around-the-clock care and a comfortable, home-like setting, clients will be able to detox efficiently in a tranquil and stress-free environment.
Withdrawal Timeline
The opiate detox process will generally last for between 7 and 10 days, though the exact length of time the withdrawal symptoms persist will depend upon a few factors, including:
- Personal history with drug addiction.
- The severity of drug use/frequency and length of time.
- Personal medical history.
- Co-occurring disorders or underlying conditions.
- Physical, mental and emotional well-being.
How long does opiate withdrawal last?
Opiates like prescription painkillers and heroin are extremely habit-forming, and tolerance is generally built quickly. There are typically three stages of opiate withdrawal. Several hours after the last use, the individual will begin to experience more mild or moderate symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle aches and stomach cramping. Within the first couple of days, the symptoms will become more severe. They will resemble the symptoms of a bad flu, and involve symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, insomnia, intense feelings of anxiety potentially leading to panic attacks, body tremors, profuse sweating, and headaches. The final stage is post-acute withdrawal, which can last for up to several years. Symptoms of post-acute withdrawal are generally mild, and will include things like disrupted sleep patterns, depression or chronic constipation.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When used for extended periods of time or in excessive quantities, narcotic pain relievers such as codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone and oxycodone alter brain chemistry and lead to dependence or addiction. When a person quits using a substance cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms will be inevitable and can begin within 12 to 30 hours of the last use.
Stages of Opiate Withdrawal
Opiate withdrawal symptoms occur in two stages with two distinct sets of symptoms similar to the flu.
Early-stage opiate withdrawal symptoms include:
- Body aches.
- Increased perspiration.
- Insomnia.
- Uncontrollable yawning.
- Watery eyes.
- Runny nose.
- Anxiety.
- Agitation and irritability.
Late-stage opiate withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal cramping.
- Severe anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Body tremors/uncontrollable shaking.
- Intense physical discomfort.
- Overwhelming opioid cravings.
One of the most severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal are the intense cravings that often lead a person back to use before they have been physically stabilized. We use a combination of comfort medications and therapeutic intervention to help alleviate these cravings, providing our clients with a fair shot at longer term sobriety. To learn more about opioid detox or to begin your personal journey of recovery, contact us today.
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Treatment Options
At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer a number of addiction treatment services geared towards providing each client with comprehensive clinical care. Many detox centers focus exclusively on physical stabilization. While our main priority is providing clients with a safe, pain-free opioid withdrawal, we focus on providing them with the tools and resources they need to stay sober once detox concludes.
The addiction treatment services we offer include:
24-hour Care from Licensed Medical Professionals:
We have psychiatric professionals, licensed nurses, and physicians on staff who provide each of our clients with attentive care and support. Their goal is to alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms of opioid withdrawal using safe, non-habit forming medications.
Nutrition Services:
We offer three nutritious, chef-prepared meals every day, as well as healthy snacks and nutritional guidance. We believe that adequate nutrition contributes to physical stabilization and an improved detox experience.
Therapeutic Services:
At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we believe that therapeutic intervention should start from the very moment the recovery journey begins. We offer daily group therapy sessions and regular one-on-one therapy sessions with our licensed therapists.
Introduction to the 12 Step Method of Addiction Recovery:
We offer regularly facilitated 12 step meetings so that our detox residents can get accustomed to the formatting and benefits of programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Post-Treatment Planning:
Detox is only the very first step on the road to recovery. We help each of our clients determine which subsequent treatment option would best suit their personal needs, and we help develop a personalized, long-term aftercare plan to be implemented when medical opioid detox comes to an end.
Ongoing Case Management:
Upon admission, each resident will be assigned a case manager who will provide ongoing services from detox through the next appropriate level of care.
If you or someone you love has been suffering from a methamphetamine use disorder of any severity, Princeton Detox & Recovery Center is available to help. Our medically monitored detox program was designed with client comfort in mind. We provide our clients with a safe, pain-free methamphetamine withdrawal in a therapeutic setting, actively preparing them to take the next appropriate step on their personal recovery journeys. As soon as you make the decision to reach out for help you will be put in contact with one of our experienced and compassionate Treatment Advisors, who will help you determine whether or not our methamphetamine detox program is right for you. If we believe our program is a good fit, we will proceed with a brief pre-assessment and a free, no obligation health insurance benefit check. We accept coverage from most major national health insurance providers as well as most regional providers throughout New Jersey and surrounding areas. To learn more about methamphetamine addiction and treatment or to begin your own personal journey of methamphetamine addiction recovery, contact us today.
Opioid FAQs
Reviewed for accuracy by:
Amanda Hilzer M.Ed, CAADC, IADAC, ICCS, LCADC, CCS
Amanda graduated from Lehigh University with both an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Education degree in Counseling Psychology and has worked in the field of substance use disorder treatment and mental health treatment as a counselor and as a clinical manager for over 14 years.
