Medically reviewed by Kevin Wandler, MD, Chief Medical Advisor
Opioid withdrawal can be intensely uncomfortable. The aches, sickness, anxiety and cravings can be strong enough that many people return to using just to make them stop. Medical detox offers a different path: support from a medical team that treats symptoms, watches for complications and helps you plan what comes next.
Promises Dallas-Fort Worth provides medical detox for adults at our Lewisville campus, whether they are withdrawing from prescription pain relievers, heroin, fentanyl or other opioids. Detox is the first step toward recovery, and it is safer with support.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
When someone who is physically dependent on opioids stops or sharply cuts back, the body reacts. If you are not sure whether dependence applies to you, our article on what opioid dependence is explains the signs. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle aches, bone pain and restlessness
- Anxiety, irritability and trouble sleeping
- Runny nose, watery eyes, yawning and sweating
- Goosebumps and chills
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea
- Dilated pupils and a fast heartbeat
- Strong cravings for opioids
Timing depends on the opioid involved. Withdrawal from short-acting opioids tends to begin sooner, while longer-acting opioids may cause symptoms that start later and last longer. Opioid withdrawal is usually not life-threatening in itself for otherwise healthy adults, but vomiting and diarrhea can lead to serious dehydration, and withdrawal can be harder on people with heart problems or other health conditions. The greater danger often comes from what happens next: returning to use to feel better.
How Medical Detox Supports You
Medical detox is designed to make withdrawal safer and more manageable. At Promises DFW, opioid detox generally includes:
- A medical and psychiatric assessment covering your opioid use, other substances, physical health and mental health
- Regular monitoring of vital signs, hydration and withdrawal symptoms
- Medications to ease symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, aches and sleep problems when appropriate
- On-site meals and a quiet, comfortable place to rest
- Support from staff who understand how hard this stage can be
Being honest about everything you use, including alcohol, benzodiazepines and stimulants, helps your team plan safely. Some combinations change how withdrawal unfolds and what kind of monitoring you need.
Evaluation for Medication-Assisted Treatment
For opioid use disorder, medication can be an important part of care. The FDA has approved medications that reduce withdrawal and cravings or block the effects of opioids, and NIDA and SAMHSA recognize medication combined with counseling and behavioral therapy as an effective approach to opioid use disorder.
During detox, our medical team evaluates whether medication-assisted treatment is appropriate for you. That decision depends on your history, your health and your goals, and it is made with you. For some people, medication started during detox can ease the transition into ongoing treatment. For others, a different approach fits better. Your team will explain the options and what each one involves.
Overdose Risk After Detox
This is critical to understand about opioid detox. After a period without opioids, your tolerance drops, and your body can no longer handle the amount it once did. If you return to using the same amount as before, the risk of a fatal overdose is much higher. The risk is especially serious today because the illicit drug supply is often contaminated with fentanyl, which is far more potent than heroin or most prescription opioids.
To lower the risk:
- Continue treatment after detox rather than stopping at withdrawal management
- Ask your treatment team about medication for opioid use disorder
- Make sure you and the people close to you know about naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, and how to get it
- Know the signs of overdose, such as slow or stopped breathing, blue or gray lips, pinpoint pupils and unresponsiveness
- Call 911 right away if you suspect an overdose
After Detox: Continuing Care
Detox manages the physical side of withdrawal, but long-term recovery usually calls for treatment that addresses the reasons behind opioid use. At Promises DFW, you can move from detox into residential treatment, where you can take part in individual and group therapy, CBT, DBT, family therapy and care for co-occurring mental health conditions. Later steps can include our partial hospitalization program and virtual IOP, followed by an aftercare plan. Explore our full approach to opioid addiction treatment.
Admissions and Insurance
Admissions is available 24/7, and same-day admission is often possible when a bed is available. When you call, we will ask about the opioids you use, when you last used and your health history so the medical team can prepare. Insurance verification is free and confidential, and coverage depends on your plan, medical necessity and prior authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does opioid detox last?
It depends on the opioid you used, how long you used it, your health and whether medication is part of your care. Your medical team will give you a clearer picture after your assessment.
Can I detox if I am using fentanyl or heroin?
Yes. Promises DFW provides medical detox for people withdrawing from fentanyl, heroin, prescription opioids and other opioids. Share everything you use with admissions so your team can plan safely.
Why do I need treatment after detox?
Detox addresses physical dependence, not the patterns and pressures that led to use. Continuing care matters because tolerance drops during detox, which makes a return to use more dangerous.
What if I have chronic pain?
Tell our admissions team about any chronic pain or medical conditions. Your medical team will take them into account when planning your care.
Take the First Step Today
If you are ready to stop using opioids, call (469) 546-9303 to talk with admissions, review your insurance options, or contact us online. If someone is showing signs of an overdose, call 911 now.