Opioid Detox at Home

Should I Do Opioid Detox at Home?

When the negative consequences from an opiate addiction continue to pile up, eventually a day of reckoning will come. Some individuals battling opiate dependency feel stuck in their addiction, fearing the detox and withdrawal phase as much as the devastating effects of the drug itself. Although it seems daunting, home detox from opiates will provide the medical support and oversight needed to successfully wind through the process and get into active recovery.

Of course, anyone who says that heroin or opioid detox is a piece of cake is not being truthful.  There is no way to dress up that pig; opiate detox is quite simply a pig. However, there are a plethora of supportive and therapeutic measures that can definitely ease the discomfort of the withdrawal symptoms and help guide one through those few days of suffering.

The detox process, whether at home or in a detox facility, is the same. A medical doctor will oversee the process and a trained detox nurse will be assigned to monitor the patient and provide medical support. Vital signs will be recorded over a period of 5 days through the acute phase of withdrawal, as heart and respiratory rates can be affected during detox.

Can I Stop Opioids Suddenly?

Going cold turkey and attempting to manage one’s own opiate detox is never, ever a sound idea. With the potential health risks that can present during withdrawal, it is prudent to have medical supervision monitoring the process. With this understood, the detox options boil down to either entering an inpatient detox facility or to undergo home detox from opiates.

The most cited reasons for choosing the home detox option are privacy and comfort.  Instead of spending several days in a sterile facility, home detox provides the peace of being in your own personal space while winding through the difficult withdrawal phase.  At home there is more freedom, there may be a family support system, and an in-home detox offers privacy and discretion.

An individual who has struggled with a substance use disorder should not attempt to abruptly stop using the substance and attempt to complete the detox and withdrawal process on his or her own. It is always recommended that detox be overseen by a professional who is trained in addiction recovery, as these experts are knowledgeable about managing withdrawal symptoms and recognizing serious health events that may emerge during the process.

Prescription Opioid Detox Symptoms

While the entire detox and withdrawal process will take about a week, it is days 2-4 that withdrawal symptoms peak.  Symptoms first arrive within 6-12 hours of the last dosing of heroin or prescription pain medications. As the body reacts to the absence of a new dose, withdrawal symptoms will be anywhere from mild to severe based on the history of drug use, whether there is a co-occurring mental health condition, and the person’s overall health.

In the first two days of opiate withdrawal symptoms include:

• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Sweating
• Eyes tearing
• Elevated blood pressure
• Agitation
• Excessive yawning
• Increased heart rate
• Runny nose
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

Days 3-7 opiates withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Chills and goose bumps
• Drug cravings
• Depression

To help manage the withdrawal symptoms, the medical professional will administer medications that can treat most of the uncomfortable symptoms. To help reduce drug cravings, methadone, Suboxone, or buprenorphine can be prescribed for a limited period of time, which helps prevent relapse. In addition to the medication interventions, the private detox nurse can be a strong source of emotional support during the detox process.

Who Provides Our Care?

Our care is provided by Kinkaid’s team of in-home nurses with decades of experience caring for your detox needs. Our nurses are trained to provide high-quality care in a kind, safe and professional manner.

California At-Home Opioid Detox Services

Our in-home opioid detox is provided throughout the Los Angeles area. Specifically, we cover Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Westwood, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Holmby Hills, Cheviot Hills, Culver City, Beverly Glen, Beverlywood, and surrounding cities in California.