Opiates and opioids, also known as narcotics, are commonly prescribed by medical professionals for pain relief. Unfortunately, these drugs can also be very addictive, even after just a few weeks of use. Consistent abuse of these drugs can change the way a person’s brain chemistry works, resulting in serious physical and psychological dependence.
If you or a loved one are struggling with opiate addiction, it’s never too late to get help. Briarwood is a Joint Commission-accredited opioid and opiate detox center. Our caring addiction treatment professionals understand where you’re coming from and are here to support you so you can recover from opioid use disorder, however long it takes.
Opiates are drugs that are derived from opium, which is a substance that is obtained from the poppy plant. The term “opioid” is used to refer to the entire family of opiate drugs, including synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural opiates.
Opioid drugs include illegal substances such as heroin, but they also include a host of prescription narcotic pain relievers, including:
Our opioid strength chart explains how drugs like hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and fentanyl compare, and why medical detox is so important when dependence develops. Although opioids are commonly prescribed to treat pain, they are also highly addictive. To see where hydrocodone vs oxycodone fall on our opioid strength chart, visit the full comparison guide and talk with your doctor before changing any dose. Consistent opioid abuse is extremely harmful and affects many different parts of the body.
The opioid crisis in America is a growing concern and according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 33,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose in 2015 and roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients who are prescribed opiates for chronic pain end up misusing them. Prescription opioids may also serve as a gateway to illicit drug abuse, as about 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
Depending on the type of opioid you take, and the type of drug test used, an opioid drug may be detectable in your system for several hours to several days. Here are the drug test detection times for some of the most commonly abused opioid drugs.
| How Long Do Opiates Stay in Your System? | |
| Oxycodone | Detectable for 1-2 days |
| Methadone | Detectable for 1-3 days |
| Heroin | Detectable for 1-3 days |
| Codeine | Detectable for 12-24 hours |
| Morphine | Detectable for 2-3 days |
http://www.drugs.ie/drugs_info/about_drugs/how_long_do_drugs_stay_in_your_system/
Most people who are addicted to opiates and opioids need a medically assisted detox program to help manage the uncomfortable symptoms they experience during withdrawal. Trying to detox from opioids at home can be dangerous and is much more likely to lead to relapse, so it’s never recommended. We can help you determine if you need an opioid detoxification program with a clinical and medical assessment.
While unassisted opiate and opioid detox are not life-threatening, it is very uncomfortable. Oftentimes individuals who attempt to detox on their own relapse due to the severe discomfort they experience.
Individuals who undergo medically assisted detox at an opiate detox center are less likely to relapse because they have access to medical and therapeutic support, as well as medications that can lessen the severity of their withdrawal symptoms.
Briarwood Detox Center offers clinically monitored opiate and opioid detox programs for men and women in a safe, comfortable facility located in Austin, Texas. We will provide a personalized program based on your needs and current condition. Our nurses and therapy team are here to provide the support you need to not only complete the detox program but also prepare for entry into inpatient or outpatient rehab.
Withdrawal symptoms during opiate and opioid withdrawal may include:
The withdrawal experience is different for every person, but our medical team will ensure your safety and comfort by managing any physical symptoms you experience throughout the course of your detox program. Our experienced medical staff knows how to recognize and treat opioid withdrawal symptoms and will be available 24/7 to provide assistance as needed.
We help ensure the comfort of our clients by using tapering medications to gradually diminish physical symptoms of withdrawal until they are completely gone. We also treat other uncomfortable side effects and symptoms of withdrawal as appropriate. Our medically assisted opioid detox program is the safest and most comfortable way to discontinue all use of opioids.
| 6 to 12 hours after the last dose: | Early symptoms of withdrawal from short-acting opiates will begin to appear. These typically include muscle aches, insomnia, and anxiety. |
| 1-2 days after the last dose: | Withdrawal symptoms of long-acting opiates appear and typically include muscle aches, insomnia, and anxiety. |
| 3 days after the last dose: | Withdrawal symptoms typically peak at this time. You may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, depression, diarrhea, goosebumps, and drug cravings. |
| 5-7 days after the last dose: | By this time, symptoms have mostly receded but some individuals may still experience lingering nausea, anxiety, and have difficulties eating. |
Detox for opiates and opioids may take anywhere from 3-7 days, but the timeframe will vary greatly from person to person. The length of your stay depends on your individual circumstances such as your drug abuse history, co-existing conditions, and medical status. We can tell you how long you can expect to be in detox after we perform your physical evaluation.
Our medical opiate detox facilities in Austin and Houston are safe and supportive places to begin your addiction recovery. The experienced and friendly staff at Briarwood will ensure that your opiate and opioid detox experience is as comfortable as possible and that you are treated with the utmost care and respect. From the moment you enter either of our facilities, you’ll receive nothing less than the highest quality medical and therapeutic care available.
During opioid detox, our treatment staff will treat uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and help you manage cravings with one-on-one counseling, support, and a positive sober environment.
After detox, relapse is always a risk, so it’s very important to continue your addiction treatment.
Many people do this by enrolling in a rehab or sober living program after detox.
Getting professional treatment after detox is an important part of maintaining your sobriety and our treatment team will provide professional recommendations for ongoing care after you complete detox.
Opioid addiction will always be a part of your history, but it doesn’t have to define who you are and how you live now. If you’re ready to get your life back, the compassionate staff at Briarwood can help. Call today to get started.
Learn more about what comes after detox.