Drug addiction doesn’t happen overnight. Many times it takes months or years for a person to develop a full-blown addiction. Addiction is a progressive illness and has stages much like cancer. When caught in its earliest stages, it’s much easier to recover. As time goes on and a physical dependence is built with the drug, getting sober becomes much more difficult, but it’s still possible. Dependence to opiates can be a painful and uncomfortable experiences when experiencing withdrawal. A qualified drug detox center can help.

How Does Physical Dependence Occur?

She is isolated and worried about her physical dependence on opiates.

Throughout a person’s life, the mind and body are constantly growing, changing and evolving. The body is always looking for balance, and it does this with it’s own self-producing chemicals and nervous system. The body also adjusts to any substances coming into the system. Any substance that’s regularly introduced to the system requires the body to adjust accordingly to find balance again. When this substance leaves the system, a person can experience withdrawal due to their now physical dependence. Some people even experience this when they quit drinking caffeine or smoking cigarettes.

Unlike a caffeine dependence, a physical dependence to opiates is much more harsh. When opiates like heroin or prescription pain medications are used, they latch on to opiate receptors in the brain. This constant occupation of the receptors makes the homeostasis of the body change. The body is now accustomed to a regular flow of dopamine. Once a person quits using opiates, the neurotransmitters begin to misfire. The body is starved of dopamine which causes symptoms of withdrawal. In this case, you will want need a heroin detox to safely get yourself off the drug.

Dealing with a Physical Dependence

You should never try to deal with a dependence to opiates on your own because it’s highly uncomfortable and dangerous. Relapse numbers are much higher for those who try to detox on their own rather than going to a qualified detox treatment center. Some people will try to taper off from opiates or use prescription medications instead, but the result is often a relapse. Symptoms of opiate withdrawal can include:

  • Cold sweats
  • Aches and pains in the joints and muscles
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability

How a Detox Facility Can Help

In order to properly detox from opiates and have the best chance of staying sober, you should always seek the assistance of a qualified drug detox center. Here at Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we have a fully knowledgeable staff who cares about our clients and wants to make your detoxification process as smooth as possible. Detox starts with a thorough evaluation of your mind as well as your body. Each person is different and may experience more or less severe symptoms of withdrawal, so we want to ensure we give you the best treatment process for you.

You’ll have medical supervision at all times, which is important because your symptoms may change throughout the detox process. We’ll be sure to keep your heart rate and blood pressure under control with different non-narcotic medications and different types of treatment. We may use the latest in addiction medicine to help minimize the symptoms of withdrawal. Some medications have been designed to occupy the opiate receptors in the brain and trick the brain into thinking you’re still using while you detox.

Serenity House Detox & Recovery not only wants to help you get sober, but we want you to experience long-term sobriety as well. We’re a fully accredited facility through JCAHO, and we’ll help provide you with additional resources to continue your recovery once you leave treatment. Call today at 866-294-5306 for help.