Opiate Detox in Encinitas, San Diego, CA
The nation is actively going through an opioid crisis as we speak. In 2017, the US Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency related to the misuse and abuse of opioid drugs. It is clear that the problem had gotten out of hand, and still is out of hand.
Drug companies that make these drugs insisted when they hit the markets in the 1990s that patients would not become addicted to their pain relief qualities. However, that is exactly what has happened to millions of people. As such, urgent treatment action is necessary to help those caught in the grip of this addiction.
What is Opiate detox?
To begin on the path of recovery it is necessary for patients to abstain from the use of opioids entirely. However, those who have been consuming large amounts of opioids will not find this process easy. Additionally, it is NOT safe for an addict to detox themselves from these drugs without medical supervision. There can be adverse effects on those who are highly addicted.
An opiate detox involves the complete withdrawal from all opioid drugs including:
- Codeine
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
These drugs are all highly addictive, and the patient must remove themselves from the use of any and all of them to have a true detox experience. While they are doing so, they should be under the professional medical supervision of a doctor and medical staff. This is the safest way to ensure the patient doesn’t have adverse reactions to the detox and to make sure that they truly go through with the detox procedure.
How does someone know when they should detox?
- A Preoccupation with Getting More Pain Killers – These drugs are only prescribed in a limited quantity. If you find yourself trying to work out ways in your mind to get your hands on more of these drugs, you may need to take a step back and consider if you are addicted to the drug.
- The Loss of Relationships (Family or Otherwise) Due to Drug Use – When your loved ones start to back away from you, this is usually a sign that something pretty serious has changed about who you are as a person. These are the individuals who know you best, and they are scared enough that they feel it is necessary to step back from you. That should be eye-opening and troubling for you.
- Negative Financial Consequences – It is common for people who are addicts to experience challenging financial situations due to their drug use. If you discover that money has become an issue either because of your spending on drugs or your inability to hold down a job, then you have a problem that needs to be addressed.
Truthfully, anyone who feels that they have gone further than they wanted to with their drug use should get in contact with professionals who can help. It is better to speak with those who know what to look for than to assume that you have no issues to be addressed. Get the problem taken care of so you can start to make progress in your life again.
The process of withdrawal is what one goes through when they have been taking opiate drugs for some time and then suddenly withdraw from doing so. This is the right move for them to make in the long term, but the short-term consequences can be challenging.
As previously mentioned, there are extreme cases in which withdrawal can be deadly. It should NEVER be attempted outside of the watchful eyes of a doctor. However, the vast majority of opiate users can withdraw from opiates without perishing. They may still experience some of the following symptoms though:
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Inability to sleep
- Runny nose
- Muscle aches
Those are just the symptoms that may show up in the first 24 hours and are considered the mildest symptoms. Additional symptoms include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Goosebumps on the skin
- Cramping
These symptoms tend to appear sometime later and can be more painful and uncomfortable. Anyone experiencing any kind of symptoms is likely to feel less than pleased about it, and all should try to seek immediate medical attention if they are suffering.
Why Detox is Ultimately the First Step
Here at Akasha Recovery, we offer Opioid Detox in Encinitas, CA, and feel that it is the first and most necessary step towards a safer and healthier life. We know that our patients are genuinely good people who are trying to make the most of their lives.
We are also aware of the fact that detox is just the first step in a long process. Someone who is working through an opioid addiction needs constant support and help to get through all that they are going through.
Guiding them through the process of detox is a major first step, but we wouldn’t dream of leaving them at that point. Helping them find support and counseling is also a big part of our mission. Our goal is to never have repeat visitors. We want everyone that we receive for treatment to leave our facility and never return.
Although the goal is lofty, we feel that it is worthwhile. One life change is worth everything to us, and we have helped many more than that. If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from opiate detox in the Encinitas area, we hope that you will give us a call today. We want to assist you with that mission.