Dependence on opioids can be confusing and scary — not just for individuals but for families, as well. Detoxing from opioids causes profound physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms that are best managed in a clinical, compassionate medical detox center. An opioid addiction program like we offer at CeDAR uses medication and therapy to provide a path to recovery. Our residential detox program in Denver looks and feels like a college campus, and our medical staff will help keep you as comfortable and stable as possible.

CeDAR is a comprehensive treatment program that offers a variety of drug treatment services, including opioid detox. If someone you love has an opioid use disorder, call CeDAR today at 720.848.3000. We will be happy to go over the medical and psychiatric treatment options with you.

opioid detox What Is Opioid Detox?

Detox is the first stage of most substance use disorder treatment programs. The opioid withdrawal comes with some uncomfortable side effects. Some signs of withdrawal include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle cramps
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia

Those side effects can easily lead to relapse without proper supervision. An opioid detox center provides both medical and psychological support during withdrawal. It’s an approach that allows the patient to enter a primary treatment program sober.

Why Are Opioids Addictive?

One reason opioid addiction is confusing is that sometimes it starts with prescription medication. Pain medication like OxyContin is part of the treatment for injuries or pain from an illness or surgery. Even when used correctly, people can become addicted. Addiction occurs because of changes in brain chemistry. Opioids bind to receptors that trigger the release of chemicals that make you feel good as part of the brain reward system.

The reward system makes people want to do things that are good for them, like exercise. When you exercise, the brain releases these “feel-good” neurochemicals as a reward. The goal is to make you want to exercise again to experience that same feeling. Opioid use can interfere with that process by triggering the release of those same neurotransmitters. Over time, the brain only delivers the chemicals with opioid use.

Opioid withdrawal results from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. It takes time to adjust to not having the opioids. Medically managed opioid detox can help ease that transition.

What Is Medically Managed Opioid Detox?

Medically managed opioid detox is a program that ensures someone going through withdrawal doesn’t do it alone. Programs like CeDAR managed detox provide medication to control withdrawal symptoms and therapy to manage behavior; therefore, people are able to gradually taper their use of medication and transition into recovery.

Medication may include drugs used for medical-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT drugs like methadone can take the place of the opioid, so there are fewer withdrawal symptoms. Other medications interfere with the way opioids work. The medical staff can also provide comfort care to ease symptoms. Comfort care can involve anything from IV saline to prevent dehydration to antidiarrheals to help manage some digestive symptoms.

What Can You Expect at CeDAR?

CeDAR, located across the street from UCH Hospital in Denver, is more like a college campus than an opioid treatment program. We work with patients age 18 and older or 16 and older for families.

Services at CeDAR include:

  • Residential treatment with gender-specific living arrangements
  • Inpatient dual diagnosis treatment for those with a co-occurring mental health disorder
  • Partial hospitalization that allows the patient to spend the day with us in treatment and then to go home at night with family or friends
  • Outpatient services that include a 12-week curriculum plus day or evening appointments
  • Alumni services to help support recovery after you leave the program

Find a Top-rated Denver Detox

And, of course, we provide medically managed detox for those with opioid addiction. Our patients have access to treatment and therapy, plus a spiritual center and a place to exercise. Opioids do not have to take over someone’s life. Call CeDAR today at 720.848.3000 or go online and fill out our contact form. Our staff can answer questions you might have about opioid detox.