Many people wonder if they need to detox from opiates, even if it is only for one relapse. Opiates and specifically heroin, are highly addictive and can lead to several complications like an overdose. However, there are many other drugs you could be addicted to, such as alcohol or marijuana. If you have had a relapse with opiate use but don’t want to go through the process of detoxing again, this article explains what you should do.
The first thing you should do is simply ask yourself how bad of a relapse it was. If you only used the drug once and didn’t even finish the bag of heroin or whatever, then there’s nothing to worry about. You may want to consult an addiction specialist such as a doctor or therapist who can tell you if your addiction is severe enough that detox would be recommended. This is perhaps the best way to determine how severe your addiction is and what you should do next.
You may also want to talk about your relapse with a family member or friend who will support and understand your situation. Sometimes just letting someone who really cares about you know can help, as it gets some stress off of you. They may even be able to provide help, such as referring you to a detox center or working with you to stop using the drug.
If you decide that you want to go through detox again, it’s important that your motivation is strong enough. Sometimes people just need someone else to tell them what they should do to get their minds in the right places. This way, when the time comes, you will know what steps to take and accomplish your goals without much problem at all. It’s also best not to try doing this alone for many reasons, so having someone there can help with motivation and support when things get tough.
Another big part of successfully completing detox again is knowing yourself well enough so that you can understand how long it would take for you to feel comfortable without using opiates again. This way, you’ll know when the detox process is complete and how long it would take to be able to use it responsibly if you want to do so. If this doesn’t apply to you, don’t worry about it too much, as no one can say with 100% certainty whether or not they will relapse. Everyone has their own unique circumstances that surround addiction, so only you will understand these feelings best.
Suppose you are currently on some medication-assisted treatment like methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) but still struggling with cravings for heroin or other opiates. In that case, your doctor may decide that a “detox holiday” is needed for you to feel normal without the medication. This means that you won’t do methadone, nor will you take any other forms of treatment for a set amount of time just so that your body and brain get back to how they work when not on opiates. This is one good option for you if you don’t feel like detoxing from heroin or other opiates but want to stop using these medications because you still get cravings.
However, if your use becomes very frequent again, you’ll need professional help to get through it without further complications. Some medications are prescribed for opiate addicts, which help curb cravings among individuals who are withdrawn from the drugs. These medications include things like buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), methadone and naltrexone (Vivitrol). If you already have a prescription for one of these medications, then it would be wise to stick with taking them until you feel more stable on your own.
However, if you don’t have a prescription or want to switch from another medication that’s been helping you cope, this is where detoxing can become very dangerous. Sometimes people die from withdrawal symptoms while going through some kind of supervised treatment program because they go too fast and their body isn’t prepared yet to handle going cold turkey. You should consult an addiction specialist who knows how to do this safely to get the best advice possible on how much time is needed before switching medications.
Have you relapsed on opiates and wondering whether you need to detox? We can help you find the right treatment option. Our experts are available 24/7, Call us at 844-903-2111. Visit us today, and you’ll be able to speak with expert advisors about addiction treatment options that best suit your needs.