What is Prescription Opioid Detox Like in Massachusetts?

Without proper treatment, these symptoms can become severe and unbearable, so many individuals relapse after attempting to detox at home. Relapsing after a period of abstinence can be extremely dangerous because your tolerance gets lower, putting you at an increased risk of overdose.

What to Expect at a Prescription Opioid Detox Center in Massachusetts

Prescription opioid detox centers in Massachusetts provide a safe and comfortable setting to overcome withdrawal. Services include an initial assessment to determine your needs, medical stabilization through treatments and medication, 24/7 supervision, and assistance in planning further treatment.

Assessment

Upon arriving at a prescription opioid detox facility in Massachusetts, you will undergo an initial assessment during which medical staff asks you important questions about your family, medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse history. The information they gather will be used to create an individualized treatment plan that focuses on your unique needs and goals.

Medical Stabilization

After your assessment, the medical team will begin working on stabilizing you. This may include IV fluids, vitamin replacement therapy, and medications that soothe your symptoms of withdrawal and prevent drug cravings. These steps are taken to ensure that you remain healthy and comfortable during the withdrawal process.

24-Hour Care

Throughout your stay in detox, you will be provided with 24-hour care and supervision, ensuring you have support at any time of the day or night should something go wrong. You will not only have assistance for medical emergencies but also emotional support because prescription opioid detox and withdrawal can be mentally taxing.

Treatment Planning

In addition to keeping you stable and comfortable, the staff members will help you create a treatment plan that includes everything you need to succeed in your recovery after detox. Detox is only the first step in addiction treatment, so your doctors and therapists will help you create a treatment plan that includes further programs, like inpatient or outpatient rehab.

What Medications are Used to Treat Prescription Opioid Withdrawal?

When it comes to prescription opioid withdrawal, the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and even debilitating, but prescription opioid detox programs will use medications to alleviate your symptoms and prevent you from experiencing cravings.

Medications used to treat prescription opioid withdrawal include:

Methadone

Methadone is a medication used during medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to lessen the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Methadone works by changing the way your brain responds to pain. In addition, it blocks the euphoric effects of opioid drugs like oxycodone or morphine by binding to opioid receptors in your brain.[3]

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is another medication used to treat the symptoms of prescription opioid withdrawal. It is a partial opioid agonist, which means it attaches to the opioid receptors in your brain and partially activates them without causing intoxication.[4] Buprenorphine is one of the most popular treatments for prescription opioid withdrawal.

Lucemyra

Lucemyra is a non-opioid medication that can help reduce the symptoms of prescription opioid withdrawal. Many people are beginning to choose this medication during detox because there is no risk of misuse or addiction. Lucemyra works by reducing high rates of norepinephrine, a stress hormone that is produced during opioid withdrawal, thereby reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms.[5]