Medically supervised withdrawal care
Opioid Detox
Personalized opioid detox at two San Fernando Valley locations — Granada Hills and Northridge, California.
Are you looking for opioid detox programs in the Los Angeles area? If so, you probably already know how opioid use can take over your life.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid use, you may be looking for a safe way to detox. Withdrawing from opioids is a serious medical situation. That’s why medically assisted opioid detox is always the first step in sobriety.
At Believe Detox Center, we offer person-focused, dignified opioid detox services. These are available at our two locations in the San Fernando Valley area. We tailor each detox experience to the needs of the patient. Our care plans are based on medical history and the level of opioid use involved.
The basics
What is opioid detox?
Opioid detox safely clears opioid drugs from the body. It is also called medically supervised opioid withdrawal.
The goal of opioid detox is simple:
- Manage withdrawal symptoms
- Stabilization
Once physical withdrawal symptoms are managed, a broader treatment plan can be developed. It’s important to view detox as a first step instead of a full treatment. This is just a bridge for getting to the point where physical dependence is gone.
What we treat
Types of opioids we treat
Detox is important for getting off all opioids. Opioids create physical dependence. Breaking physical dependence and managing withdrawal symptoms prepares a person for addiction treatment. At Believe Detox Center, we create custom detox plans for specific opioids or combinations of opioids.
Heroin
A highly addictive central nervous system depressant. People taking heroin experience slowed brain activity and bodily function. "Street heroin" is often mixed with dangerous substances like fentanyl.
Fentanyl
A synthetic opioid approximately 100 times more potent than morphine. Even small amounts of illicitly manufactured fentanyl can cause life-threatening respiratory depression.
Percocet
A combination drug made from oxycodone and acetaminophen. Prescribed for pain relief, it has a high risk for misuse and dependency.
Oxycodone
A high-strength pain medicine, only prescribed by doctors. Typically used for severe pain that does not respond to non-opioid medications. Comes with risks for dependence and fatal respiratory depression.
Hydrocodone
A high-strength semi-synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain. Comes with a high risk for dependence.
Combination cases
Some patients arrive dependent on several different opioids, or mix opioids with alcohol or other substances. Honest usage history lets our staff create safe, appropriate detox plans.
How it works
How opioid detox works
Opioid detox plans are customized based on factors like:
- A person’s age
- Physical health
- Previous experiences with detox
- Opioid usage habits
During an inpatient opioid detox experience, symptoms are monitored. The goal is to relieve or reduce the pain of withdrawal. Providing relief during the toughest points of withdrawal can reduce relapse risks.
During detox, the body readjusts to the lack of opioids. This can create flu-like symptoms. Patients often experience mild to severe physical and psychological distress.
Medications like buprenorphine and lofexidine are sometimes used to manage opioid detox[4]. These medications can help to ease withdrawal symptoms — cravings, nausea, anxiety, upset stomach, and insomnia. Care providers decide on a case-by-case basis if these medications are beneficial.
Clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is also commonly used in detox settings to manage autonomic symptoms of opioid withdrawal — sweating, anxiety, elevated heart rate, and agitation. While not FDA-approved specifically for opioid withdrawal, it is widely used off-label in clinical practice.
Another drug, methadone, a long-acting full opioid agonist, may be used under close clinical supervision to reduce withdrawal severity. Its use in detox settings is subject to federal and state regulations and is determined on a case-by-case basis by the treating physician.
The biology
Why withdrawal happens
Opioids carry a high risk for physical dependence. This is most common in cases of prolonged use or with high doses.
Opioids alter the nervous system and brain chemistry. When stopped, the nervous system will go into overdrive and try to regain balance. This is where physical withdrawal symptoms come in.
Opioids slow activity in the nervous system. When they are taken away, it creates a hyperactive nervous system[3]. This causes many of the physical and emotional symptoms associated with withdrawal.
A person may not be able to physically or mentally function after stopping opioids. The cravings and discomfort are often so strong that a person is likely to relapse. Proper support can help. Supervised detox helps to ease symptoms, allowing a person to stick to the process.
What to expect
Opioid withdrawal symptoms
Every person experiences opioid withdrawal differently. Typically, opioid withdrawal symptoms are most severe in people with prolonged use. It can also be more pronounced with high intake amounts. But it’s impossible to predict how severe opioid withdrawal will be. Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
People who take large amounts of opioids often experience the hardest withdrawal symptoms. They may also notice that symptoms happen sooner and take longer to clear. The same is true of people who use opioids frequently in smaller doses.
Timing
Withdrawal timeline
Most people begin experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms the same day. The exact peak depends on whether the opioid is short-acting or long-acting[3][4].
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Same dayFirst symptoms appearMost people begin experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms within hours of the last use.
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36 – 72 hours · Short-acting opioidsPeak (heroin and similar)For short-acting opioids such as heroin, symptoms typically peak within 36 to 72 hours after the last use. Medical monitoring is essential through this window.
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48 – 96 hours · Long-acting opioidsPeak (oxycodone, hydrocodone)For longer-acting prescription opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, peak symptoms may not occur until 48 to 96 hours after the last dose.
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After 2 daysSymptoms taperSymptoms generally taper down after the first two days of withdrawal. But they can linger for several days.
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Several weeksResidual symptoms (slow-acting opioids)People who are detoxing from slower-acting opioids may experience residual symptoms for several weeks. Every patient's timeline is assessed individually by the clinical team.
What you get
Benefits of medical detox
Medical detox from opioids is the safe, empowering choice.
Monitoring and medical support
The staff at an inpatient detox facility provides around-the-clock monitoring. If symptoms escalate, they step in to provide appropriate life-saving medical intervention. Proper symptom management also reduces risks for complications.
Symptom management and comfort
The big advantage for the person going through withdrawal is the comfort. All material needs are taken care of. The patient simply focuses on getting through the process. Medications designed for safe opioid withdrawal can be administered as needed.
Emotional support during detox
Many people who attempt to self-detox at home give up due to intense cravings or symptoms. These may cause anxiety and worry. Patients in supervised settings get the encouragement they need to get through. At Believe Detox Center, every detail is set up for a patient's success.
What goes wrong alone
Risks of detoxing without help
Detoxing from opioids alone can be dangerous. There’s simply no way to know how severe a person’s withdrawal symptoms will be. It’s also impossible to know how quickly complications can escalate. Sometimes they can become serious medical emergencies.
You don't have to do this alone.
Believe Detox Center provides 24/7 medically supervised inpatient detox at our Granada Hills and Northridge locations. Contact our admissions team to learn what to expect and how we can help.
What comes next
What happens after detox?
Detox isn’t full recovery. However, it’s an essential first step. It makes recovery possible for so many people. The role of detox is to get opioids out of the system. This isn’t a matter of self-control. The reality is that opioids create chemical dependence. Getting off of opioids “cold turkey” is one of the hardest things a person will ever do in their life. Medically supervised opioid detox helps.
Detox is the beginning of recovery. Following detox, there’s still a lot of recovery work to do. With a clear mind, a patient can move forward with inpatient and outpatient options. These usually involve therapy, drug-assisted treatments, meditation, support groups, and other options. One of the benefits of supervised detox is that patients can find the next step easily.
Following detox, a person is able to think with a clear mind. They can make choices for changing habits and getting out of unhealthy patterns.
Believe Detox Center is here if you need a safe, inviting place to detox from opioids. You will be under the supervision of a team of licensed addiction specialists. We believe that taking the first step is the bravest thing a person can do.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Fentanyl. 2021. nida.nih.gov
- SAMHSA. What is Methadone? Side Effects, Treatment & Use. 2024. samhsa.gov
- Berger F. Opiate and opioid withdrawal — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. 2024. medlineplus.gov
- SAMHSA. TIP 45 — Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. 2006. samhsa.gov
Take the first step
Taking the first step is the bravest thing.
You’ll be under the supervision of a team of licensed addiction specialists. Contact us today or complete an insurance verification form to get started.