The Importance of Codeine Detox in Rehab
If you’re addicted to codeine or any other prescription opiate, detox is an important first step of the recovery process. Without effective, safe, and often medically assisted detox, the focus cannot fully be on healing and learning how to prevent relapse—as such, most rehab programs begin with a period of detox that spans 3-7 days allowing the user to adjust to life without Codeine or other opiates while stabilizing in preparation for counseling and therapy.
Opiate Withdrawal
Without Codeine detox, you would likely spend more time focused on opiate withdrawal than you would on the treatment that you are receiving. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “opiate withdrawal refers to the wide range of symptoms that occur after stopping or dramatically reducing opiate drugs after heavy or prolonged use (several weeks or more).” While opiate withdrawal is generally not dangerous or life-threatening to the user, it can be challenging and painful when attempted alone or without medical intervention.
Detox helps ensure patients are ready and able to meaningfully participate in treatment.
Symptoms of withdrawal may include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
- Diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramping
- Runny nose, watery eyes and flu-like or allergy-like symptoms
- Muscle pain, bone pain and stiffness of the joints
Codeine detox can help to alleviate these symptoms by providing medical intervention which helps to curb symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings.
How Detox Helps
Detox is an important part of the recovery process primarily because it provide a safe, comfortable and clean atmosphere in which the user can begin to stabilize from the withdrawal and prepare for the upcoming focus that’s necessary in treatment. Detox can help in a number of ways including:
- Reduction of symptoms by way of medical intervention. Various medications may be prescribed to help the patient feel better or more comfortable including Clonidine, methadone, Buprenorphine and Suboxone.
- Reduction of stress by way of supportive care. Patients are provided around-the-clock support from caring nurses and doctors who will help them to cope with the symptoms of withdrawal and will encourage them to remain clean even during this challenging time.
- Stabilization of vitals and overall health which will allow the user to focus on the treatment being received when he or she moves onto a regular rehab program.
Why Detox before Rehab?
Codeine detox is a vital step that every individual who is addicted should take before attending a rehabilitation program. Detox is where stabilization takes place; detox is where physical healing takes place; detox is where the process of recovery begins.
Patients who do not detox before they enter into a rehabilitation program are more likely to relapse and less likely to succeed at the treatment that is being provided to them. When focus is on feeling sick, tired, uncomfortable and potentially in pain, the focus is not on healing and learning how to prevent relapse. This is why detox is such an important first step of the recovery process.