Opiate Withdrawal Treatment Options

Every day in the United States, an estimated 130 people die from an opioid overdose. Opioid use disorders can be safely and effectively treated at opiate drug rehab centers using medical detox and a range of behavioral therapies. Here’s what you need to know about opiate drug rehab and how you can get help today.

Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder, also known as opioid addiction, is characterized by a set of 11 criteria as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The CDC reports that an estimated 62.5% of people who misuse opioids report doing so to relieve physical pain. Knowing the symptoms of opioid use disorder can help you determine whether you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and may need help from an opiate drug rehab center.

Signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder include:

  1. Using opioids in larger amounts or for a longer period than initially intended
  2. Having a persistent desire to reduce or control opioid use without success
  3. Spending a great deal of time on activities to obtain opioids, use opioids, and recover from the effects of opioids
  4. Feeling strong cravings or urges to use opioids
  5. Experiencing problems at work, school, or home due to recurring opioid use
  6. Continuing to use opioids despite persistent or recurring interpersonal and social problems caused or worsened by the effects of opioids
  7. Giving up important social, occupational, and/or recreational activities to use opioids instead
  8. Continuing to use opioids where or when it is physically hazardous to do so
  9. Continuing opioid use despite knowing of persistent or recurring physical or psychological health problems that may have been caused or worsened by opioids
  10. Developing a high tolerance for opioids, characterized by needing higher amounts to achieve the desired effect, or, diminished effectiveness when using the same amount of opioids
  11. Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, insomnia) when abruptly discontinuing or reducing the use of opioids

Which Treatment Services Are Best for Opioid Use Disorder?

Unlike withdrawal syndrome for some other substances, opioid withdrawal can be effectively treated using medications. Treatment for opioid use disorder usually begins with medical detox. Medical detox is a treatment program designed to help people safely overcome physical dependence on these substances.

Medical drug detox for opioid use disorder usually involves the supervised administration of medications that act on the same brain receptors as opioids do, but without producing euphoria. This allows patients to stop using opiates or heroin without suffering as severe withdrawal symptoms as they would without medical detox. Buprenorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, and methadone are medications commonly used in drug detox to treat opioid use disorder.

Following drug detox, patients can receive counseling and behavioral therapies to help build healthier life skills, attitudes, and behaviors related to drug use. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and family counseling are some of the evidence-based therapies commonly used in opioid use disorder recovery, reports MedlinePlus.

Why Choose America’s Rehab Campuses for Medical Detox from Opiates?

Each patient’s medical history and severity of use disorder is evaluated to determine the risk for life-threatening complications. The level of care for drug detox at America’s Rehab Campuses often involves the use of alternate medications that alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and provide patients with 24-hour access to medical care to reduce the risk of relapse and potential overdose.

America’s Rehab Campuses offer opiate drug rehab programs that can be tailored for you or a loved one who needs help recovering from opioid use disorder. Contact us today at 833-272-7342 to learn more about our available recovery programs and rehab locations.