Nashville Opioid Detox

Opioid detox in Nashville, Tennessee is the first step to recovery from opioid addiction. Due to the potency of opioids, you could quickly become dependent on either legal or illegal drugs containing opioids. Unfortunately, physical dependence on opioids can create a medical crisis when you attempt to quit on your own.

Detox Nashville of Nashville, Tennessee, offers medical detoxification programs around Nashville and Hendersonville, Tennessee to help you overcome your opioid addiction to live a happy and healthy life. Opioids are among the most addictive of substances. Despite this, medical detox for opioids can help you safely begin an addiction treatment and drug rehab.

How Do Opioids Work in the Body?

An opioid is a type of drug that binds to opioid receptors in the human body and can produce an effect similar to opium. It is typically used for pain management, but can also be used to treat coughing, diarrhea, and even addiction to other substances. Opioids are derived from the opium poppy plant, and some synthetic opioids are created in labs. Common prescription opioids include codeine, morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. 

Opioids work by binding directly to opioid receptors located throughout the body, particularly in areas related to pain perception like the brain and spinal cord. This binding triggers a reaction that activates neurotransmitters which send signals of reduced pain to the brain. As a result, it reduces the intensity of pain signals that the brain receives throughout the body. 

However, when taken at high doses or over prolonged periods of time, opioids can interfere with these same receptors and cause feelings of sedation and euphoria that may lead to addiction. The misuse of prescription and illicit synthetic opioids has become a major public health crisis due to its potential for dependency and the risk of overdose leading to death. This highlights how important it is for individuals who take them as prescribed or recreationally to know how they interact with their bodies.

How Do Opioids Affect the Body?

Opioids cause physical and psychological dependence when used for a long period of time. They affect the body by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other organs. This leads to an increased sense of well-being and pain relief. Long-term use can also lead to addiction due to changes in the way opioids affect certain areas of the brain that control pleasure and reward responses.

Common side effects of opioids can include: 

• Drowsiness
• Sedation
• Dry Mouth
• Dizziness
• Itching
• Constipation 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Slowed breathing rate
• Coma or death if taken in high doses 

The risks associated with opioid use are serious and can be life-threatening. Overdose is the leading cause of death among people using opioids. It is estimated that more than 136 people in the United States die every day from an opioid-related overdose. This is primarily due to the illicit synthetic opioid Fentanyl which is extremely potent and being added to street drugs. 

People who struggle with addiction often find themselves engaging in risky behaviors such as sharing needles or taking higher doses than prescribed to achieve the desired effect. This increases their risk for a host of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and interpersonal problems.

Finally, it is important for individuals who have been prescribed opioids or are thinking about using them to understand the potential risks associated with their use. It is also important for individuals to seek help if they are struggling with opioid dependence or addiction in order to find the best treatment option for them. There are many available treatments that can help individuals manage their opioid use and reduce the risks associated with it. 

What Happens at Our Opioid Detox in Nashville, TN

During our detox in Nashville, clients receive the following to help them throughout the process:

• Medical care for physical symptoms of withdrawal
• Emotional support throughout detox
• Safety from any relapse triggers or temptations to use
• Begin medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Transition to a residential or outpatient rehab program

Once clients complete medical detox, they should consider a drug rehab program to continue their recovery. Opioid addiction is often rooted in underlying issues, like emotional and mental health disorders. Therefore, during drug rehab, they can begin learning coping skills to help them manage their mental health and triggers after detoxing from opioids.

How Long Does It Take to Detox From Opioids?

Detox from opioids usually takes one to two weeks. The physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal tend to peak within a few days after someone stops using opioids. However, mental health symptoms can linger for weeks or months after medical detox.

The length of an individual’s medical detox from opioids can depend on factors such as:

• Overall state of physical health
• The severity of their opioid addiction
• Using opioids with other substances, like cocaine or alcohol
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• Types of and potency of opioids used

Not all opioids have the same degree of potency. For example, fentanyl has about 80 to 100 times the potency of morphine. Many street drugs like heroin have fentanyl mixed in to get users addicted, often without their knowledge. The relative potency of opioids that someone uses could influence the time it takes to go through the stages of detox.

Medications Used During Opioid Detox in Nashville, TN

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain medications for opioid detox and continued treatment. These medications help people deal with acute withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse during recovery.

Medications used during opioid detox in Nashville include:

• Benzodiazepines (“benzos”)
  • Help with psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, and irritability.
  • May be used during acute phases of withdrawal and gradually decreasing the dosage during rehab.

• Methadone
  • Methadone is a long-acting opioid that doesn’t produce the same “high” as other opioids.
  • This medication works by activating opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of other opioids if someone relapses.

• Buprenorphine
  • This medication binds to opioid receptors to block the effects of opioids and reduce cravings.
  • Buprenorphine is often combined with other medications, like Naloxone, to reduce relapse risk and lessen the severity of withdrawal.

• Naltrexone
  • Naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors in the brain.
  • If someone does relapse while taking naltrexone, they won’t feel high due to the blocking effects.

The drugs used during detox are not a cure for opioid use disorder. Instead, they are part of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). For those struggling with substance use disorder, MAT combines prescription drugs with behavioral therapy. After someone stops using opioids, they might feel “on edge,” distracted by cravings, or have a “mental fog.” During MAT, prescription medications reduce these withdrawal symptoms. By reducing withdrawal symptoms, clients can focus on therapy, healing, and recovery.

Opioid Detox in Nashville, TN

Opioid detox is the first step to a successful, long-term recovery from opioid addiction. Detox Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee specializes in detox services for alcohol and drug addiction. If you or your loved one has an opioid use disorder, call us or visit our admissions page to begin recovery today.