Is Inpatient Opiate Detox Right for Me?

Have you tried going through withdrawal on your own but were not successful? Are your withdrawal symptoms from opiates incredibly severe? Do you have cravings for opiates that make it difficult for you to stop taking them? If you answered yes to these questions, inpatient opiate detox may be right for you.

Benefits of Inpatient Detox for Opiates

It is true that “opioid withdrawal reactions are very uncomfortable but are not life threatening” (NLM). Because of this, many people feel that they can work through their withdrawal symptoms on their own. But this is not always the best way to get sober. Opiate withdrawal can be painful and severe depending on the drug abused. Even though heroin gives a person a short high, the withdrawal symptoms are more intense.

Inpatient detox can be necessary for those who have tried time and time again to stop taking opiates. Because opiates are so often available in prescription medications, people go to drastic lengths to obtain more and continue to take them. Relapse is a serious problem for those who go through detox. Formal inpatient detox programs give a person a better foundation for true recovery. These programs will ensure that the patient is introduced to treatment for addiction as well as a complete and thorough detox.

Why Should I Choose Inpatient Detox for Opiates?

Detoxing in inpatient care provides you with support around the clock.

Here are some of the reasons inpatient detox for opiates might be right for you:

• You are addicted to opiates and have been for some time.
• You crave opiates strongly when you do not take them.
• Your withdrawal symptoms for opiates are severe because you took a short-acting drug like heroin, or your symptoms are mild but longer lasting because you were taking prescription opiates.
• You do not have a strong support system of friends and family to help you through your detox.
• You have spent time trying to go through detox alone and have not succeeded because of your cravings.
• You need a controlled environment in which to heal.

How Do I Know if I Need Inpatient Detox?

If your opiate addiction has made problems in other aspects of your life (such as work, school, social, family, or legal), you should definitely consider inpatient detox. According to the Harvard Medical School, “some [addicts] cannot hold jobs and turn to crime to pay for illegal drugs.” If this is your situation, inpatient detox may be necessary for you because of the nature of your drug-seeking behavior.

One of the most important aspects to consider is whether or not you are truly addicted to the drug. If you crave opiates, put yourself in danger in order to obtain more, and find yourself relapsing into taking them again and again, you are most likely addicted to them. Detox in an inpatient center would start the work of a rehab center which would be necessary for someone who is addicted to opiates. However, if you are merely dependent on them, you might choose to detox from opiates at an outpatient center or by tapering your dosage.

You must consider your needs when choosing an opiate detox center. Every patient needs different treatments and care, so consider your needs before choosing a facility.