Written by:

Dale Conlon

Medically Reviewed by:

Dimitra Theofili

Last Updated:

August 27th, 2024

Opiate withdrawal and detox

Detoxing from opiates is an essential step for anyone struggling with opioid use, as it helps to break the physical addiction to the drug and provides a foundation for longer-term recovery. Although detox can be a difficult and uncomfortable process, opiate detox can be a positive step forward in reclaiming your life and health. By overcoming the physical obstacles, you will be taking the first step towards regaining control of your life.

What is opiate detox?

Detoxing from opiates is a process of gradually reducing a person’s reliance on the substance, usually through a combination of supervised medical care, psychological counselling and social support. The main aim of opiate detox is to reduce the body’s need for opiates, help mitigate withdrawal symptoms and break the cycle of opiate abuse. Detoxing also provides the opportunity to assess the sufferer’s condition and create a treatment plan that will provide the best long-term outcome.

It is recommended that the process be taken in a clinical setting and is usually done in an inpatient facility, as this type of setting provides the person access to round-the-clock medical care, which is necessary during this challenging process.

At Banbury Lodge, we offer detox on the following opiates;

When is it time to consider opiate detox?

Whenever someone is struggling with opiate addiction, it is important to consider the possibility of opiate rehabilitation. This should be done if a person is feeling overwhelmed by their use and feels that they need help to stop. It is also important to consider an opiate detox if someone continues to use despite experiencing negative consequences due to their drug use such as legal problems or health risks. Other signs an individual may need detox include experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping use and craving opiates when not using them.

What can I expect from an opiate detox?

Every person considering detox must be aware that it is not a single event, but a process that takes time and medical supervision. The goal of opiate detox is to allow the body to become free of the drug with minimal discomfort and pain, as well as addressing any underlying psychological issues that you may have. You can expect the process of detox to include some or all of the following:

• Evaluation and assessment: A physician or other healthcare provider will assess your physical and mental health prior to detox. This may include lab work, psychological evaluation and physical examination.
• Detox stabilisation: When you are stabilised from opiate withdrawal symptoms, either in an inpatient or outpatient setting, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) medications may be prescribed to minimise withdrawal symptoms.
• Tapering off: This is a gradual decrease in the number of medications used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms over time until you are completely off it.
• Counselling: After detox, it is important for you to continue counselling and therapy to address any underlying issues that led to the problem in the first place.
• Sobriety maintenance: Staying sober following detox can be challenging. It’s crucial for you to develop sober tools and networks, such as attending 12-step meetings and forming a support system of friends, family and professionals.

What is an opiate withdrawal?

A withdrawal from opiates is a period of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person reduces or stops taking opiate drugs.

When experiencing opiate withdrawal symptoms, you may experience a range of uncomfortable physical and psychological side effects. Common physical symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting abdominal cramping
• Aching muscles
• Hot and cold flashes
• Insomnia
• Increased heart rate

Psychological withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Cravings
• Irritability

What are the stages of opiate withdrawal?

The length of withdrawal from opiates differs depending on the type of opiate being used. Generally speaking, short-acting opiates typically produce withdrawal symptoms that start within six to twelve hours after the last dose, reach peak intensity within 48–72 hours and last from five to seven days. Withdrawal from longer-acting opiates such as methadone can take significantly longer and last for weeks. Below we have devised a generalised timeline for opiate withdrawal:

Day one
Physical symptoms of withdrawal begin and peak. Symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle aches, anxiety and an intense craving for opiates.
Day two
Symptoms continue to peak and may worsen. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, users may experience increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased body temperature, rapid breathing, tremors and increased sensitivity to pain.
Days three to five
Most physical symptoms have subsided but psychological symptoms remain. Cravings for opiates may be strong but are beginning to decrease. The user may experience fatigue, insomnia, restlessness and poor appetite.
Days six to seven
Psychological symptoms and cravings have decreased significantly but the user may still experience insomnia, restlessness and fatigue.
Days eight to fourteen
Cravings are decreasing as the body begins to adjust to not having opiates in the system. Symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, restlessness and poor appetite may still be present but will slowly improve over time.
Day fifteen and over
Cravings and withdrawal symptoms are greatly reduced or gone completely but psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and irritability may persist. It is important that the user continues to seek treatment in order to prevent a relapse.

It’s worth noting that you could experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). PAWS is a prolonged withdrawal syndrome that occurs after acute withdrawal symptoms (have passed. It is characterised by lingering physical and psychological symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, cravings, depression, anxiety, irritability and fatigue. PAWS can last between several weeks to several months and may require further medical assistance or therapy to help manage the symptoms.

The benefits of opiate detox

Opiate detox is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to break their habits and free themselves from the dangerous and destructive cycle of drug abuse. Although initially difficult, detox can lead to freedom from habitual drug use and improved overall health, making it well worth the effort. Listed below are some of the benefits of undertaking a detox:

• Reduce withdrawal symptoms: Detoxification helps to manage both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms that would otherwise be very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.
• Break the cycle of misuse: Detox allows individuals to break the cycle of habitual use and gain control of their lives.
• Improve physical and mental health: Detox can help improve physical health by removing toxic substances from the body, as well as mental health by reducing stress, anxiety and depression symptoms.
• Create a safe environment: Withdrawal can be dangerous, so receiving treatment in a medically supervised environment can ensure optimal safety and comfort.
• Set the foundation for recovery: The goal of detox is to help individuals reach stable physical health so they can start making progress in their recovery journey.

Is home opiate detox safe?

Opiate withdrawal can be a difficult process and the effects could be dangerous without professional care. Withdrawal symptoms can be strong which may lead to further complications by themselves. Additionally, home treatment may not address any underlying psychological or physiological issues that a person reliant on opiates may have, which could lead to the risk of relapse or more severe problems in the future. Banbury Lodge opiate detox programmes provide medical supervision, medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and counselling to help individuals cope with the process.

What types of opiate detox can Banbury Lodge offer?

Our inpatient, prescription drug detox treatment clinic is equipped to help you safely manage the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Our team of certified medical professionals will guide you through the detox process and provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial support. We will use medications and therapies to help ease your withdrawal symptoms and provide 24-hour monitoring to ensure your safety throughout the entire process.

What’s next?

If you are ready to take positive steps to reclaim your life from opiates, now is the time to take action. Join us on a journey of detoxification, recovery, and healing. With the right care and commitment, you can begin to rebuild your life, free from the chains of opiate abuse. Take the first step now, and let us help you in your fight for freedom.

Frequently asked questions