Opiate Detoxification

Opiates are also known as: Codeine, China White, Darvon, Darvocet, Buprenorphine, Demerol, Dilaudid, Heroin, Methadone, Morphine, Percocet, Percodan, Talwin, and Vicodin.

With major Opiates such as OxyContin, Dilaudid, Morphine and Oxycodones becoming more widely available on the streets, the abuse of Opiates is rising on a daily basis. While Heroin still remains on the top of the list as the most abused of all of the Opiates, other prescription Opiates follow not too far behind.

Sadly, for many, the addiction to Opiates starts with innocent circumstances, such as treating an ailment with a prescription from the doctor. No matter the circumstances of how it started, Opiate addiction can take over control of a person’s life before they even realize what has happened. The longer a person continues to abuse Opiates, the more that their tolerance will build ending with the body’s dependence on the drug to function.

Once a dependence on Opiates has formed, the withdrawal symptoms that occur from the person stopping or lessening their use of the drug are the same story for everyone. Withdrawals from Opiate addiction are not only excruciating and uncomfortable, but the cravings are nearly unbearable and maddening. Needless to say, Opiate detox is an agonizing process that can be lengthy depending on the severity of the individual addiction.

Because of the extreme intensity of Opiate detox, many rehab facilities will provide the options of a medically assisted detox. This allows for the staff to monitor the client round the clock to ensure their comfort and safety. As the more agonizing and dangerous symptoms arise, the medical staff on hand are able to medically treat the symptoms making the detoxification process a little less traumatic and painful.

In cases of severe addiction to opiates or narcotics, rapid detoxification under general anesthesia at a hospital or other highly qualified medical facility is sometimes used.  In this case, the intravenous use of opiate blockers along with other medications to alleviate painful withdrawal symptoms achieves detoxification in about eight hours, compared to approximately a week or more under normal circumstances.

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