Opioid Or Opiate detox

Opioids and opiates are still killing more people in Ohio than any other drug, from prescription painkillers like OxyContin to street drugs like heroin. Every year, thousands of families lose someone they love, and the risks are only getting worse as fentanyl is now in almost every batch of street opioids. Stopping on your own can trigger a brutal withdrawal that can send you right back to using, putting you in danger of fatal overdose. At Armada Recovery, we supervise the whole opioid and opiate detox process and make sure you're ready for what comes next.

What is opiate detox?

Opiate and opioid detox is when your body clears out all the drugs while your body learns to function without them again. Whether you have been using prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl, your brain and body change and become physically dependent on them. When you stop, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and sometimes dangerous, especially if you have other health problems or have been using opioids heavily.

A medical opioid detox at Armada Recovery is very different from trying to quit on your own. You will receive:

• A full medical assessment before opioid detox begins, so we can understand your history and any possible risks
• Medications to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms
• 24/7 monitoring by staff who know what to watch for 
• Buprenorphine or other medications if needed 
• An immediate move into ongoing opioid treatment

Why is opiate detox necessary?

The biggest danger with opioid withdrawal isn't just getting through it, but what happens if you relapse afterward. Your tolerance drops fast during withdrawal, so the amount you used to take safely can now kill you. With fentanyl in so much of the drug supply, even a small miscalculation ends in overdose. Most people who try to detox at home can't handle the symptoms and start using again within days, which is exactly when the overdose risk is highest.

Opiate withdrawal itself can also be dangerous if you have existing heart problems, breathing issues, or other physical or mental health conditions. Trying to push through alone without medical support can lead to serious complications.

The protection you will receive at Armada Recovery will allow you to get through detox successfully and move straight into stage two of treatment.

What opiate withdrawal symptoms can I expect?

Opiate and opioid withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone and will vary based on which drug you've been using and for how long. Prescription painkillers tend to cause milder withdrawal than heroin or fentanyl, but everyone's experience is different. Common opiate withdrawal symptoms include:

• Strong cravings for opioids
• Muscle aches, especially in your legs and back
• Sweating and chills
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Runny nose and watery eyes
• Restlessness
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep
• Anxiety
• Goosebumps and sensitivity to temperature

While these symptoms sound intense, remember that thousands of people get through opiate detox successfully every year with the right help.

How long does opiate withdrawal take?

Each opioid has its own withdrawal timeline. Short-acting opioids like heroin hit you faster but clear quicker, while long-acting ones like methadone take longer to start but drag on longer. Fentanyl falls somewhere in between but hits harder. Generally, your opiate detox timeline will progress like this:

First 12-24 hours 

Heroin and fentanyl withdrawal can start within 6-12 hours. Prescription opioids often take 24 hours or more before symptoms really kick in. Early symptoms feel like a bad flu.

Days 2-4 

This is when symptoms are usually at their worst and cravings feel the most overwhelming. You may have to deal with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe muscle pain, and a total inability to get comfortable or sleep. This is the make-or-break point where many people relapse at home.

Days 5-7 

The worst physical symptoms should start to calm around day 5 or 6. You may still feel weak, anxious, and have trouble sleeping, but you're through the hardest part. Cravings can still hit hard during this stage, but they should be getting easier.

Week 2 and beyond 

By week two, the worst physical symptoms are over, but cravings, tiredness, and sleep problems can drag on. This recovery period is normal but often catches people off guard, which is why you need ongoing treatment after detox ends.

At Armada Recovery, we can adjust medications as you move through each stage, and continue supporting you as you move into treatment. Our team knows what is normal during withdrawal and when there is a problem that needs immediate attention.

What happens after opiate detox?

Opiate detox breaks your physical dependence, but whatever made opioids seem like the answer is still there once withdrawal ends. That's why people who only do detox relapse so often, as the physical part has been resolved, but nothing else has changed.

At Armada Recovery, you transition into opiate rehab in either our outpatient program or intensive outpatient program. You will attend therapy at one of our treatment centers while living at home and taking care of work or family commitments. Rehab includes group and individual counseling, behavioral therapies, and relapse prevention work.

Once the main program wraps up, help remains available. You can access aftercare sessions and our alumni group, or enter partial hospitalization if you need more intensive support before fully returning to daily life. All of this is aimed at supporting you long after opiate detox ends.

Begin opiate detox today with Armada Recovery

If you're reading this, you already know how hard it is to break free from opioids. The withdrawal and fear of overdose keep so many people trapped, but you don't have to go through detox alone or keep living this way. The team at Armada Recovery has helped many people get through opiate detox and go on to completely change their lives.

Whether you're unsure or ready to begin, please contact us today. We'll explain your options and support you through this first step toward recovery.