What helps with withdrawals from opiates?

Opiates can be painful and uncomfortable to detox from without medication. There are many different medication options used by doctors, called synthetic opioids. Methadone is the most commonly used and helps to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. Subutex contains the active ingredient Buprenorphine and is common as well. Suboxone contains Buprenorphine but has an added drug called Naloxone. There is usually a stabilisation period before detox and reduction begin. Once an opiate detox has finished, symptomatic relief such as Lofexidine or Clonidine can help. This is now commonly used to help with the final part of withdrawals known as the tail end. Quinine is also used to alleviate restless leg syndrome which is an uncomfortable withdrawal symptom.

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Hope Rehab Detox Information

Hope Rehab Medical and Detox Information

Medical Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource, and is not to be used or relied on for any self-diagnostic or treatment purpose. Please consult your health care provider, or our local Hospital when you arrive.

Why the right detox environment is crucial:

The right environment makes it so much easier to get through withdrawal symptoms. At Hope Rehab our Medical and Detox is just as important to us as to our clients. By staying in a detox / rehab center, you will be surrounded by people who share your commitment to recovery. It also means that you will be protected from the usual stress and triggers that drive you to pick up alcohol or drugs.

Get in touch with us for more individual detox info

More individual medical and detox information can be obtained during your free telephone assessment before enrolling in the program. Our policy at Hope Rehab is that all our clients should be physically comfortable enough to attend group. Whether alcohol detox, opiates or any other reduction from drugs, we always ask that you follow an agreed detox plan.

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Pre-Admission Questionnaire

Things to Consider When Choosing a Detox Facility

Comfortable surroundings are important because otherwise you might be too distracted – here at Hope Rehab our accommodation is high quality and there are also plenty of facilities to keep your mind occupied.
It is usually cheaper to choose a rehab that offers a detox rather than choosing a separate detox and rehab program.
Remember that going through withdrawals is only half the battle – you also need to develop the resources that will allow you to build a life free of addiction and this is what rehab offers.
It is important that any detox you choose is familiar with your exact addiction – otherwise the treatments offered might not be suitable for you.

We work in close partnership with our local private Hospital, which is only 10 minutes away from our facility, and they provide all our on-site medical services. The Hospital in Sriracha has an experienced and caring medical team, and they will visit you daily at our Rehab Center if it is required. They will ensure you receive a safe and comfortable Detox, which is included as part of your treatment package.

Please note: Detox is included in the first month’s cost of treatment. *However, should any overnight stays be required this is not included within our fees, and the costs associated with this will need to be paid directly by the client to the hospital. Having said this thus far we have never had a case requiring a stay in hospital due to detox issues. For this reason, we do not accept particularly complex or high-risk cases. Alcohol detox is usually 5 days on a Diazepam reduction and opiate detox either Subutex or Methadone 2 week reduction.

Medication schedule for Alcohol Detox

Diazepam is often used for moderate to severe dependence and withdrawal. Doses may be adjusted according to the patient’s response and a typical withdrawal regime is:

B-complex vitamins/Thiamine orally daily: Thiamine deficiency is common in heavy drinkers with a poor diet, as vitamin B absorption is impaired by chronic alcoholism. Vitamin B1 – thiamine – acts a co-factor for metabolic enzymes.

Addiction is not the same as Intoxication – Detoxification is not the same as Recovery.

Addiction: Medication and Detox

The disease concept and the medical model: Don’t be confused, addiction cannot be cured in the traditional medical sense or in a hospital. Treatment of addiction – be it drugs or alcoholism – means addressing psychological, environmental and social aspects (triggers) of the problem, not just its biological condition. It’s called “medication-assisted therapy” not “therapy-assisted medication”.

Medication alone fails, the analogy is with depression: If you ask most people what depression is, they’ll answer that it’s a serotonin deficiency disorder and that the solution is to put somebody on a SSRI (antidepressant medication) but that’s a simplistic and short-term way of managing depression. Medication can be helpful, but it needs to be combined with talk therapy and lifestyle change. Also, humans become tolerant to all drugs/medication so a sustainable long-term solution must be found. Addiction is like cardiovascular disease or diabetes, recognized as a chronic disease, it must be treated, managed and monitored over a person’s lifetime because there is no pill which alone can cure addiction, so choosing “a recovery lifestyle” over unhealthy behaviours is akin to people with heart disease who choose to eat healthier or begin exercising.

Medication can be helpful, but it needs to be combined with talk therapy and lifestyle change. Also, humans become tolerant to all drugs/medication so a sustainable long-term solution must be found. Addiction is like cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Recognized as a chronic disease, it must be treated, managed and monitored over a person’s lifetime because there is no pill which alone can cure addiction, so choosing “a recovery lifestyle” over unhealthy behaviours is akin to people with heart disease who choose to eat healthier or begin exercising.

Alcohol Detox

Alcohol detox and treatment: For most of our clients seeking help for alcohol problems, firstly you will be assessed for a medical detox, this is usually over a 5-day-period, conditional on your individual history. The medications used by doctors for the alcohol detoxification are Benzodiazepines (see info above).

Detoxification is for a number of reasons such as your safety. Alcohol creates a physical dependency and sudden withdrawal can be very uncomfortable or could even induce a seizure. In addition, it is important to settle into the therapeutic process as soon as possible; you can only do this if you are physically at ease. Also, an alcohol detox helps to stop you getting cravings and going into a flight mode. All together we give you the best chance at succeeding by staying in our care and getting the most from it.

Long-term alcohol use becomes both physically and psychologically addictive over time. Remember in reality the physical side can be managed relatively quickly however it is the more powerful psychological attachment that requires work in treatment.

Excessive alcohol use is very common around the world. It happens in every social or age group, and it can be found in every culture. It is not surprising that when people experience stress or trauma in their lives, they turn to alcohol to cope, this is a form of self-medicating and gets out of control.

IMPORTANTNotice: Do not attempt to stop or try an alcohol detox without getting advice first. Once you do start the alcohol detox process you may suffer from the following withdrawal symptoms:

Withdrawal syndrome and detox

People who regularly drink large amounts of alcohol may experience a withdrawal syndrome when ceasing or reducing their alcohol intake for a few hours. The first symptoms usually appear within hours and peak over the next 24–48 hours.

Symptoms include high levels of anxiety and confusion, increased pulse rate 100 beats per minute, hand tremor, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, seizures or the delirium tremens DTs, hallucinations i.e. visual, tactile or auditory.

A full assessment is recommended and should include:

After an alcohol detox, it is important to complete a program of treatment as the physical dependence or physical effects are not the whole problem. The primary condition is also no longer the underlying problem that originally created the desire to escape by drinking or seeking the pleasure it gives.

In fact, self-medicating the following symptoms anxiety, frustrations, problematic relationships, self-esteem or any other reason you drink, has now been superseded by the addiction itself.

Your propensity to drink problematically will not magically or conveniently disappear after stopping or even by talking about your issues, like all good things in life it usually takes some work and in this case a daily recovery routine is necessary.

Of course, we will explore your issues to help understand your triggers and develop a relapse prevention plan, however, we know this alone is not enough.

We give you a simple maintenance program in place of the rewards that you gained from drinking. We also give you the skills to help you make changes in your life and the strength to resist when tempted.

Opiate Detox

Heroin and Morphine detox can be very uncomfortable. Heroin is the most effective painkiller of all time and ironically made from a beautiful flower, the Poppy. However, its abuse has ugly consequences because the addiction is all-powerful usually demanding complete dedication from its sufferers. Its reputation is dangerous and deadly, as well as being very physically addicting.

That’s why choosing an appropriate treatment center is going to be important now that you are serious about breaking free of your opiate addiction. This is a precious chance for you to turn your life around, but you are going to want the right resources in order to make the most of this opportunity. The team at Hope Rehab Thailand understands what you need to recover from this type of addiction. Our founder, Simon Mott, not only overcame his own addiction to heroin but has also helped hundreds of other people do the same.

At Hope Rehab your detox & treatment will be based on your exact needs

Just because a rehabilitation center offers heroin addiction detox and treatment doesn’t necessarily mean the facility is going to be your best option. Your path will certainly share similarities with the process people go through when giving up other types of drugs, but there will also be some unique challenges associated with heroin withdrawal and recovery. If a rehab offers treatment that is too general in nature, you might not be given the sufficient support and resources. At Hope Rehab Thailand, we focus on individualised care, and this means your treatment path will be based on the assessment of your exact needs.

Heroin and Morphine detox starts with stabilization with substitute medications which is often the first step for some users until they are ready to stop. Detoxification and withdrawal must be achieved at some point for treatment to start. It is always somewhat uncomfortable although our modern and compassionate methods limit the distress this causes. Withdrawal from opiates is very uncomfortable but not life threatening, unlike alcohol.

Withdrawal symptoms at various stages include:

The initial period of withdrawals is what heroin users tend to dread most when they decide to break free of the drug. These symptoms can be uncomfortable, but there is a lot that can be done to ease your transition to drug-free living. The tranquil environment here at Hope Rehab Thailand can make the process much easier, and you will be supported every step of the way. You will also be under medical supervision and treatments will be offered to ease your symptoms as required.

For most of our clients seeking help for opiate dependency firstly we assess you for a medical detox, this is usually over a 2 – 3 week period depending on your level of usage and your individual history. We will use Methadone or Tramadol and sometimes a sleep aid as sleep loss can be debilitating and cause cravings unnecessarily.

Physical dependence is not the whole problem

We also apply the self-medicating theory to this addiction, exploring the underlying issues, the thinking and the behaviour that leads to such a serious addiction.

After Heroin and Morphine detox it is important to complete a program of treatment as the physical dependence or physical effects are not the whole problem. The primary condition is also no longer the underlying problems that originally created the desire to escape by using Heroin.

Your addictive tendencies will not magically go away just because you stop the drug use and there will be many triggers to expect that can lead to a powerful craving. The work will be learning how to cope and live life clean and sober despite the problems that arise. This will require a robust program, some serious focus on treatment as well as following your counselor’s direction.

Some FAQs around Detox:

Many clients’ recovery journeys begin with detox from drugs or alcohol. Most rehabs like Hope Rehab Thailand include detox at the beginning of a client’s stay. This can take between one week to one month. There are dedicated detox clinics however it’s wiser to complete detox at the rehab center where you will receive therapeutic treatment also. Detox works best when receiving therapy at the same time for many reasons. Only in complex or difficult cases would we suggest completing detox in a hospital or a clinic, which can be more difficult if you are confined to a bed or room with no social contact. Also, cravings can be worse and boredom sets in, which is dangerous, so if avoidable start your recovery journey in a stimulating and helpful place. Hope Rehab detoxes clients together with the medical team at the local hospital in Sri Racha.

A major benefit in doing your detox at Hope is we allow clients to have a larger degree of control and input over their detox than a hospital or clinic would.

A detox center is a dedicated inpatient facility similar to a hospital where doctors and nurses manage detoxification from either drugs or alcohol. Clients are recommended to move on to a rehab treatment center such as a Hope Rehab Thailand for recovery and therapy. Some people will try to go from a detox clinic to some kind of community treatment outpatient support. However, this has low success rates.

Detoxing on your own can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. Alcohol and benzodiazepines are the most dangerous substances, and detox should always be clinically supervised. Medically assisted detoxification helps safely manage the acute physical symptoms and reactions associated with withdrawal.

A medical detox is prescribed by a doctor and supervised by clinical staff. After a comprehensive screening assessment is completed, a detox plan will be agreed on, and you will be monitored throughout the detox process, either as an outpatient or in a treatment facility.

A detox program is where an individual seeks professional help prior to the start of a treatment program. Detox programs are usually completed in designated detoxification clinics or rehab centers, and are a good option for many seeking recovery from addiction issues.

This depends on what it is you require to detox from. There are various ways to detox, but it should always be done with professional advice and guidance. The best way to detox will depend on many factors.

Alcohol detox is the medically managed withdrawal process from physical alcohol dependence. Alcohol is physically addictive and requires a careful reduction in order to end the bodies physical dependence.

A doctor will prescribe medication to safely control the withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawals should never be done alone for safety sake. The reason detox should always be medically assisted is because there are dangerous side effects. Basically, the body goes into shock and needs time to readjust. Some common withdrawal symptoms are:

Yes, in some cases the sudden withdrawal from alcohol can cause death. Withdrawal from alcohol can be mild, moderate or severe depending on individual cases. For this reason, alcohol withdrawal is best done under supervision in rehab or a detox unit. By using certain medications prescribed by a doctor the risk of death can be eliminated. The risk associated with sudden alcohol withdrawals is seizure related. It is a seizure that can result in accidental death.

Benzodiazepines (benzos) are used for alcohol withdrawal because they work by slowing down the central nervous system by activating GABA receptors. This provides tranquillizing effects that are useful in relieving the symptoms of alcohol withdrawals. Benzos are the most effective and safest way to aid the withdrawal from alcohol. Benzos also come with their own potential risk of dependency (swapping one drug for another).

Opiates can be painful and uncomfortable to detox from without medication. There are many different medication options used by doctors, called synthetic opioids.

There is usually a stabilisation period before detox and reduction begin. Once an opiate detox has finished, symptomatic relief such as Lofexidine or Clonidine can help. This is now commonly used to help with the final part of withdrawals known as the tail end. Quinine is also used to alleviate restless leg syndrome which is an uncomfortable withdrawal symptom.

Many drugs whether illicit or prescribed by a doctor are physically and psychologically addicting. Once these drugs are abused, or taken for extended periods of time withdrawal symptoms can occur, and the type and duration of withdrawal symptoms vary with different drugs or medications, also from one person to the next.

Detox can prevent the unpleasant consequences of sudden cessation by having a period of stabilisation on medications that counteracts withdrawals by working on the same brain receptors.

Addictive substances change the body’s physical and psychological functioning. Detoxing from a drug will depend on the drug itself, and for how long it’s been abused, and at what dosage. Assessment by an experienced expert will help to determine the right detox plan.

The length of time withdrawal takes is dependent on the type of drug, also on the length of time it’s been used. Many withdrawal symptoms start physically and continue psychologically, so a major factor will be an individual’s motivation to get through this difficult period in their lives.

Sudden withdrawals are caused by stopping drinking or dramatically decreasing drugs and medications. In some cases this includes recreational drugs, causing a whole range of symptoms. When a body has become dependent on substances, stopping suddenly can induce a negative physical and psychological reaction.

The detox process would normally involve a gradual decrease of a substance over a planned period of time. This is done to minimize uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. This is often for a period of two or three weeks.

A rapid detox is when medication is used to speed up the withdrawal symptoms. Primarily for people who are addicted to opiates. A person would usually be put under anaesthesia during the procedure to avoid feeling withdrawal symptoms.

‘Yes’ is the short answer. There are certain substances such as alcohol that could cause death depending on the amount and length of abuse. This is something to be aware of when contemplating a detox, and should always be medically assisted and carried out upon expert advice.

The length of a drug detox depends on which drug, how long it has been misused, how it was taken, and also the client’s own medical and motivational factors. Generally speaking, drug detox’s can take anything from several days to several weeks.

Yes, Xanax can be used for the short-term treatment of alcohol detox to help reduce the risk of seizures and also relieve symptoms that can include: insomnia, hallucinations, anxiety and confusion. Xanax is only available on prescription and should only be used when prescribed by a doctor. However, Diazepam or Librium is more commonly used for alcohol detoxification.

When it comes to eating while going through the withdrawal process, most people will find this difficult. It is true that alcohol can directly affect the body’s ability to process and metabolize certain vitamins and nutrients. It’s important to eat the right foods when you stop drinking alcohol to help the body heal.

Although in early stages of withdrawals it is difficult to eat any food, it could be good to start with soups, pulses, fruit and juices. This is to get the body readjusted to some kind of sustenance. Loss of appetite will normally pass after around 24-72 hours.

During early stages of a detox, it’s recommended to try and keep the consumption of low-quality foods to a minimum. Sugar can reduce the body’s healing. Remember alcohol has a very high sugar content. It’s common to replace alcohol with a short-term fix like sugary snacks, sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, etc., but it’s better to try and avoid this.

Alcohol causes vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so it is a really good to rebuild using supplements. Examples would be

These will all help towards healing the body faster, both mentally and physically. Vitamin B, especially (Thiamine b1) is very important, and most doctors would prescribe a supplement.