Opioid Detox

Opioid Detox in Los Angeles | Believe Detox Center (BDC)

Opioid Detox in Los Angeles | Believe Detox Center (BDC)

Are you looking for opioid detox programs in the Los Angeles area? If so, you probably already know how opioid use can take over your life.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid use, you may be looking for a safe way to detox. Withdrawing from opioids is a serious medical situation. That’s why medically assisted opioid detox is always the first step in sobriety.

At Believe Detox Center, we offer person-focused, dignified opioid detox services. These are available at our two locations in the San Fernando Valley area.

We tailor each detox experience to the needs of the patient. Our care plans are based on medical history and the level of opioid use involved.

Contact us today for a consultation at our Granada Hills and Northridge, California. locations to learn more.

What Is Opioid Detox?

Opioid detox safely clears opioid drugs from the body. It is also called medically supervised opioid withdrawal.

The goal of opioid detox is simple:

• Manage withdrawal symptoms
• Stabilization

Once physical withdrawal symptoms are managed, a broader treatment plan can be developed. It’s important to view detox as a first step instead of a full treatment. This is just a bridge for getting to the point where physical dependence is gone.

Types of Opioids We Treat

Detox is important for getting off all opioids. Opioids create physical dependence. Breaking physical dependence and managing withdrawal symptoms prepares a person for addiction treatment.

At BDC, we create custom detox plans for specific opioids or combinations of opioids. This includes:

• Heroin: Heroin is a highly addictive central nervous system depressant. People taking heroin experience slowed brain activity and bodily function. “Street heroin” is often mixed with dangerous substances like fentanyl.
• Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approximately 100 times more potent than morphine. Even small amounts of illicitly manufactured fentanyl can cause life-threatening respiratory depression. [1]
• Percocet: Percocet is a combination drug made from oxycodone and acetaminophen. Prescribed for pain relief, it has a high risk for misuse and dependency.
• Oxycodone: A high-strength pain medicine, oxycodone is only prescribed by doctors. It’s typically used for severe pain that does not respond to non-opioid medications. This fast-acting opioid comes with risks for dependence and fatal respiratory depression.
• Hydrocodone: This high-strength semi-synthetic opioid is used to treat severe pain. It comes with a high risk for dependence.

Detox plans take many different factors into account. In some cases, patients arrive dependent on several different opioids. Others may be mixing opioids with alcohol or other substances. This can make detox more complicated.  You can rest assured that a careful plan will be designed for all of these cases. It’s simply important for patients to be honest about their usage. This allows staff members to create safe, appropriate detox plans.

How Opioid Detox Works

Opioid detox plans are customized based on factors like:

• A person’s age
• Physical health
• Previous experiences with detox
• Opioid usage habits

During an inpatient opioid detox experience, symptoms are monitored. The goal is to relieve or reduce the pain of withdrawal. Providing relief during the toughest points of withdrawal can reduce relapse risks.

During detox, the body readjusts to the lack of opioids. This can create flu-like symptoms. Patients often experience mild to severe physical and psychological distress.

Medications like buprenorphine and lofexidine are sometimes used to manage opioid detox. These medications can help to ease withdrawal symptoms. They reduce like cravings, nausea, anxiety, upset stomach, and insomnia.  Care providers decide on a case-by-case basis if these medications are beneficial.

Clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is also commonly used in detox settings to manage autonomic symptoms of opioid withdrawal including sweating, anxiety, elevated heart rate, and agitation. While not FDA-approved specifically for opioid withdrawal, it is widely used off-label in clinical practice.

Another drug, methadone, a long-acting full opioid agonist, may be used under close clinical supervision to reduce withdrawal severity. [2] Its use in detox settings is subject to federal and state regulations and is determined on a case-by-case basis by the treating physician.

Withdrawal

Opioids carry a high risk for physical dependence. This is most common in cases of prolonged use or with high doses.

Why Withdrawal Happens

Opioids alter the nervous system and brain chemistry. When stopped, the nervous system will go into overdrive and try to regain balance. This is where physical withdrawal symptoms come in.

Opioids slow activity in the nervous system. When they are taken away, it creates a hyperactive nervous system. This causes many of the physical and emotional symptoms associated with withdrawal.

A person may not be able to physically or mentally function after stopping opioids. The cravings and discomfort are often so strong that a person is likely to relapse. Proper support can help. Supervised detox helps to ease symptoms, allowing a person to stick to the process.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Every person experiences opioid withdrawal differently. Typically, opioid withdrawal symptoms are most severe in people with prolonged use. It can also be more pronounced with high intake amounts. But it’s impossible to predict how severe opioid withdrawal will be. Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include: [3]

Physical Symptoms

• Severe flu-like symptoms
• Chills and fever
• Runny nose
• Runny eyes
• Muscle aches and cramping
• Intense muscle spasms
• Joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Diarrhea and stomach pain
• Goosebumps
• Excessive yawning
• Pale, clammy skin
• Dilated pupils
• Tremors

Psychological & Emotional Symptoms

• Intense, overwhelming cravings for opioids
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Panic
• Depression
• Irritability

People who take large amounts of opioids often experience the hardest withdrawal symptoms. They may also notice that symptoms happen sooner and take longer to clear. The same is true of people who use opioids frequently in smaller doses.

Withdrawal Timeline

Most people begin experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms the same day. Here is a general timeline. [4]

• Short-acting opioids. For short-acting opioids such as heroin, symptoms typically peak within 36 to 72 hours after the last use.
• Long-acting opioids. For longer-acting prescription opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, peak symptoms may not occur until 48 to 96 hours after the last dose.

Symptoms generally taper down after the first two days of withdrawal. But they can linger for several days. People who are detoxing from slower-acting opioids may experience residual symptoms. These may last for several weeks. Every patient’s timeline is assessed individually by the clinical team.

People can experience different physical symptoms in the days following opioid detox. They may also have emotional changes, as well. That’s why staff members take time to carefully plan the next steps. These are based on the needs and preferences of the patient and their family.

Benefits of Medical Detox

Medical detox from opioids is the safe, empowering choice.

24/7 Monitoring and Medical Support
The staff at an inpatient detox facility provides around-the-clock monitoring. If symptoms escalate, they can step in to provide appropriate life-saving medical intervention. Proper symptom management also reduces risks for complications.

Symptom Management and Comfort
Of course, the big advantage for the person going through withdrawal is the comfort. All material needs are taken care of. The patient simply focuses on getting through the process. If necessary, medications designed for safe opioid withdrawal can be administered. Things like proper hydration, rest, and mindfulness practices can help ease symptoms.

Emotional Support During Detox
The emotional support of supervised detox is also a major advantage. Many people who attempt to self-detox at home give up due to intense cravings or symptoms. These may cause anxiety and worry. Patients in supervised settings get the encouragement they need to get through. At Believe Detox Center, every detail is set up for a patient’s success.

Risks of Detoxing Without Help

Detoxing from opioids alone can be dangerous. There’s simply no way to know how severe a person’s withdrawal symptoms will be. It’s also impossible to know how quickly complications can escalate. Sometimes they can become serious medical emergencies.

Reasons why self-detox is highly discouraged include:

• Severe symptoms that can cause health complications
• Emotional distress caused by overwhelming symptoms
• Dehydration caused by loss of appetite or profuse sweating
• Higher risk of relapse due to extreme discomfort
• Increased overdose risk following relapse

What Happens After Detox?

Detox isn’t full recovery. However, it’s an essential first step. It makes recovery possible for so many people. The role of detox is to get opioids out of the system. This isn’t a matter of self-control. The reality is that opioids create chemical dependence. Getting off of opioids “cold turkey” is one of the hardest things a person will ever do in their life. Medically supervised opioid detox helps.

Detox Is the Beginning of Recovery
Following detox, there’s still a lot of recovery work to do. With a clear mind, a patient can move forward with inpatient and outpatient options. These usually involve therapy, drug-assisted treatments, meditation, support groups, and other options. One of the benefits of supervised detox is that patients can find the next step easily.

Following detox, a person is able to think with a clear mind. They can make choices for changing habits and getting out of unhealthy patterns.

Believe Detox Center is here if you need a safe, inviting place to detox from opioids. You will be under the supervision of a team of licensed addiction specialists. We believe that taking the first step is the bravest thing a person can do. Contact us today at (888) 780-0904 or complete an insurance verification form to get started.

References

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, December 21). Fentanyl. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl

2. SAMHSA. (2024, March 29). What is Methadone? Side Effects, Treatment & Use. Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options/methadone

3. Berger, F. (2024). Opiate and opioid withdrawal: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm

4. Quick Guide For Clinicians Based on TIP 45 Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment Detoxification and Improvement Protocol Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/samhsa_detoxification_and_substance_abuse_treatment.pdf