Prescription Opiate Detox Timeline
So, you have decided that it is time to end your prescription opiate addiction. You probably know that the first step in this process is detox. However, you need to have an understanding of the detox timeline before you begin this important first step.
Day 1:
You should always enter into an opiate detox center as soon as you decide you have taken your last dose. This allows medical personnel to treat any complications as soon as they arise, and allows for the smoothest transition through the detox process.
The first day following the last use of opiates is relatively easy to endure. Early withdrawal symptoms begin during this time and, according to the National Library of Medicine, include:
- Generalized anxiety
- A “crawling” feeling on or under the skin
- Runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Fever-like symptoms
- Tiredness
- Cravings
As the day progresses, these symptoms will become significantly more pronounced, and will make it difficult to eat, drink, or sleep.
Day 2:
The second day of opiate detox is usually the most intense. The symptoms already present will balloon to extreme degrees. There will also be several new symptoms added. These are:
Depression and suicidal thoughts are common during opiate detox.
- Vomiting
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Diarrhea
- Severe joint pain
- Abdominal cramps and muscle pain
- Panic attacks
- Even more intense cravings
All of these symptoms combine into what feels like the worst flu you ever had, multiplied by ten. While these things are not typically life-threatening, they are immensely unpleasant.
Choosing to detox in an accredited treatment is the best way to mitigate these symptoms. Call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?) to find a treatment center that offers opiate detox.
Days 3 and 4:
It is at this time that you will be most thankful for undergoing detox in an addiction facility, because the staff there will be able to treat the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Treatments include:
- Antidepressants
- Clonidine for anxiety
- Antidiarrheals
- Anti-nausea medications
- Intravenous fluids
- Sleep aids
In addition to medical treatments, these staff members also provide moral support to help you through this difficult time, but they are only available in accredited detox centers.
Day 5:
The fifth day of opiate detox is considered a major milestone. This will be the first day that you feel noticeably better.
At this time the physical symptoms usually dissipate significantly, even if they don’t go away completely, yet. Once you make it through this day, you will continue to get better in an opiate detox center until your body is opiate free.
Days 6 Through 14:
During this period of time, the withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate detox will continue to diminish until they are completely gone. It is at this time that you will undergo screening for mental illnesses that may co-occur along with addiction.
These screenings are always administered in addiction treatment facilities, and allow you to continue the road to recovery.
After 2 Weeks:
According to theNational Institute on Drug Abuse, abusing any addictive substance alters brain chemistry, and may have very long-lasting effects. This may include lingering withdrawal symptoms, for weeks or months, and highlights the need for you to continue in a comprehensive addiction treatment program.
To find an opiate addiction detox center that can start you down the road to recovery today, call 800-315-1376 (Who Answers?).
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