Once a person has become dependent on heroin, prescription painkillers, or other opioids, intense withdrawal symptoms can make it extremely difficult for them to stop using these drugs.
Understanding Opioid Withdrawal
When a person uses an opioid, the drug binds with specific receptors on neurons throughout their central and peripheral nervous systems. Experts have identified five types of opioid receptors:
- Mu receptors are involved with functions including pain relief, euphoria, and dependence.
- Kappa receptors influence urine production, pain relief, and dysphoria (intense generalized dissatisfaction with life).
- Delta receptors affect pain relief and muscle contractions in the stomach.
- Nociception receptors can increase and diminish sensitivity to pain.
- Zeta receptors impact developmental functions in various cells and tissues.
When someone takes opioids for an extended period, their body will begin to rely on them to maintain these functions. If that person abruptly stops taking the opioids, their body can be thrown into a state of internal imbalance as it works to regain control without the artificial stimulation provided by the drugs.
This imbalance can trigger a range of physical and psychological symptoms that are collectively referred to as opioid withdrawal.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
The type, intensity, and duration of a person’s opioid withdrawal symptoms can be influenced by factors such as:
- The amount and frequency of their opioid use
- How long they’ve been using opioids
- If they’ve been through withdrawal before
- If they have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns
The physical effects opioid withdrawal can feel like an especially severe case of the flu, with symptoms such as:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Heavy perspiration
- Chills and fever
- Elevated heart rate
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Appetite loss
- Pain in muscles and bones
- Insomnia
The psychological impact of opioid withdrawal can include:
- Powerful cravings for opioids
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Agitation and irritability
- Mood swings
Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
It usually takes about a week to 10 days to get through the acute phase of opioid withdrawal, though this timeline can be increased or decreased depending on the types of influences noted in the previous section.
Early withdrawal
The first withdrawal symptoms will typically begin to appear within a day of a person’s last dose:
- Someone who has been using shorter-acting opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or heroin may begin to feel initial symptoms as soon as six hours after they stop taking the drugs.
- For those who have been taking longer-acting opioids like fentanyl or morphine, symptom onset may not occur until closer to the 24-hour mark.
Common early opioid withdrawal symptoms include runny nose, excessive perspiration, minor aches and pains, and anxiety.
Peak withdrawal
Once opioid withdrawal symptoms have begun, they will typically intensify over the next 48-72 hours (two to three days). During this period, the individual will likely also develop other symptoms such as abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, and changes in heart rate and body temperature.
Once symptoms have peaked, they should then begin to weaken. It commonly takes five to seven days before the majority of symptoms have fully dissipated.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)
For some people, opioid withdrawal ends within about a week, once symptoms have peaked and subsided. But for others, some symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years.
The clinical term for these extended symptoms is post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). It is also referred to as prolonged or protracted withdrawal.
Though fatigue and insomnia are often present during PAWS, most of the extended symptoms are psychological in nature. These may include mood swings, cravings, and difficulty focusing and concentrating.
Benefits of Detox for Opioid Withdrawal
When a person tries to get through opioid withdrawal at home on their own, the intensity of their cravings and the severity of their other symptoms can quickly push them back into active drug use again. One way to avoid this negative outcome and successfully get through withdrawal is to enter a detoxification (detox) program.
When you’re in detox:
- You will be in a closely supervised environment under the care of professionals who are familiar with all aspects of the withdrawal process.
- You won’t have access to opioids or other dangerous drugs, which eliminates your risk of immediate relapse.
- You will have access to medical and therapeutic services that can ease your discomfort, keep you safe, and help you learn to manage your symptoms.
Once you have completed your time in detox, your treatment team can help you determine the best follow-on treatment options for you. Whether you transfer into a residential or outpatient program, getting additional treatment after finishing detox can be essential for your continued recovery.
During the post-detox phases of your care, you can address the issues that contributed to your drug use in the first place, get help for co-occurring mental health challenges, develop vital relapse-prevention skills, and begin to build a foundation for long-term recovery.
The best post-detox treatment for opioid addiction can vary considerably from one person to the next. This is why it is so important to choose a reputable provider who will thoroughly assess your needs and create a truly customized plan just for you.
Learn More About Opioid Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health is a trusted source of personalized outpatient care for individuals whose lives have been disrupted by opioid addiction, other substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health concerns.
Treatment options at our rehab center in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), a virtual (online) IOP, and an adolescent program. For patients who need additional structure and support during or after treatment, we also coordinate with several reputable sober living residences in the area.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
How Much Is Rehab in Atlanta?
There’s no single answer to the question of how much is rehab in Atlanta. The final cost of a person’s treatment will be influenced by several factors, including what type of program they are in, which services they receive, and how long they remain in the program.
Levels of Care
Rehab is a general term that can apply to a variety of programs, which are often referred to as levels of care. Common levels of care that can be beneficial for people with addictions and mental health concerns include:
- Detox – This short-term level features round-the-clock care for patients who are withdrawing from alcohol and other addictive substances.
- Inpatient – Also typically a short-term experience, inpatient treatment is designed to help people in crisis achieve stabilization so that they can return to their homes or step down to a lower level of care.
- Residential – Residential rehabs usually provide a range of therapies and support services to help people gain a solid foothold in early recovery. Residential treatment also allows participants to enjoy temporary respite from the stresses and pressures of typical daily life.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – In a PHP, you will likely take part in treatment five days per week, with each treatment day including five or six hours of care. In the evenings and on the weekends, you can spend time at home or in a sober living residence.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – A typical treatment day at the IOP level includes about three hours of care. Patients may attend treatment two to five days per week, which allows them to work, attend school, or take part in other productive pursuits.
Some patients spend time at several or all of these levels. For example, a person who has been struggling with an addiction to alcohol or another drug may start in detox, transfer to a residential program, then step down to a PHP or an IOP for additional support. Others may only spend time at one or two levels.
There is no “correct” path through the levels listed above. What’s most important is determining which programs that best align with each patient’s specific needs and goals.
Types of Treatment
The answer to the question, “how much is rehab in Atlanta?” can also be influenced by which therapies and support service a person receives. Depending on their specific needs and the level of care they’re in, a person’s rehab schedule may include elements such as:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy and support services
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Holistic therapies
- Relapse-prevention education
- Discharge planning services
Length of Stay
The amount of time that patients remain in treatment at any level can vary considerably from one person to the next, influenced in large part by their progress and continued needs. Understandably, length of stay can have a significant impact on the cost of treatment.
- Detox can range from a few days to a week or longer.
- The length of stay in an inpatient program is often similar to detox.
- Many residential rehabs offer 28-day stays, but that is not an absolute limit for this level of care. Some patients may remain in residential programs for a week or two, while others may stay for several months.
- The cost of rehab at the PHP and IOP levels can vary depending on the amount of daily and weekly care a person receives, as well as how long they remain in the program. It’s not uncommon for someone to participate in these types of outpatient programs for several weeks or months.
These and other variables make it impossible to give a specific answer to the question of how much is rehab in Atlanta. But that doesn’t mean you won’t know the final total until you complete your time in treatment.
Reputable rehab programs always address the cost of care up front with their patients (and, when appropriate, the patient’s family). If the patient’s treatment plan changes, altering the services they receive or the length of their stay, any financial implications will be discussed first.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Rehab in Atlanta?
Since 2010, when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, most insurance providers must cover rehab. Addiction treatment is one of 10 essential benefits that must be funded by ACA-compliant insurance policies. The ACA also mandates coverage for mental health care.
This means that your insurance policy may cover all or part of the cost of rehab in Atlanta or elsewhere. The amount of that your insurer will pay will depend on the specifics of your policy. When you choose Valor Behavioral Health, we can coordinate directly with your insurance company to verify the extent of your benefits.
Learn More About the Cost of Rehab in Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health offers customized outpatient programming for adults and adolescents with addictions and mental health concerns. Treatment options at our rehab in Atlanta, GA, include a PHP, an IOP, an evening IOP for adolescents, and virtual (online) care.
To learn more about the cost of care at our rehab in Atlanta, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
