Inpatient Heroin Detox and Treatment Miami FL

Opioid Crisis in Miami and South Florida

The opioid crisis is actually getting worse. The government says the number of overdoses is higher than ever. The number of overdoses attributed to opiate abuse is on a staggering upswing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that from July 2016 to September 2017 there were 142,557 suspected overdoses, a 30% increase in just a short 15 month period. To locate the best drug rehabs in Miami Florida contact our 24 hour recovery helpline and speak with a medical representative.

 

 

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office processed 762 fatal drug overdoses in 2016. “This opioid epidemic has killed the same number of people who were dying of AIDS — back in the AIDS epidemic,” said Dr. Bell, Palm Beach County Medical Examiner. Dr. Michael Bell has seen fatal opioid overdose cases go up 230 percent in the past two years. “I was hoping it would go away. But it didn’t. It just got worse.”

Doctors across the country are just trying to keep up. One doctor stated, “I often don’t know if it’s heroin, methadone or fentanyl they’ve overdosed on.” The CDC reports it’s not that more people are abusing drugs it’s the kinds of drugs they’re using. The crisis has seen users jump from painkillers to heroin to fentanyl, a drug fifty times more potent than morphine. There are many heroin drug rehab facilities in Miami to handle the epidemic.

Miami and south Florida is one of the worst hit areas across the country for opioid abuse and overdose. There has been too much prescribing of these drugs. There has been too much interest in jumping to the use of these drugs when maybe something less addictive could be prescribed. And also there is, of course, the black market.

In 2017 the Trump administration declared the opioid problem a Public Health Emergency, but some believe the best way to attack the issue is at a local level. The CDC agrees with statements like, “Even though facilities exist and help is out there, more has to be done at the community level – one on one. Families need to start talking about this and helping each other.” Each overdose can be an opportunity to steer someone out of addiction and into treatment. Finding a list of the best drug treatment centers can be found by searching each states list of licensed residential centers and check for reviews or complaints to determine the best rehab to choose.

What Can Be Done?

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in order to prevent overdose deaths we need to improve prescribing of opioids, expand treatment of addiction, and reduce access to illegal opioids.

 

• Improve opioid prescribing to reduce exposure to opioids, prevent abuse, and stop addiction.
• Expand access to evidence-based substance abuse treatment, such as Medication-Assisted Treatment, for people already
  struggling with opioid addiction.
• Expand access and use of naloxone—a safe antidote to reverse opioid overdose.
• Promote the use of state prescription drug monitoring programs, which give health care providers information to improve patient
  safety and prevent abuse.
• Implement and strengthen state strategies that help prevent high-risk prescribing and prevent opioid overdose.
• Improve detection of the trends of illegal opioid use by working with state and local public health agencies, medical examiners
  and coroners, and law enforcement.

 

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to heroin or any other opioid, you should immediately seek help from one of the best heroin addiction treatment centers in Miami Florida. These centers offer heroin detox and other treatment options to help you recover from addiction, a life-threatening disease that should be treated before it is too late. The top Miami rehab for heroin addicts offer many amenities to make the process as easy as possible for the patient.

What are Opioids?

Opioids, interchangeably referred to as opiates and narcotics, sometimes, are a broad class of drugs. The US Drug Enforcement Agency classifies heroin and several opioids as a Schedule I drug due to their highly addictive and potentially lethal effects. These drugs are legally used widely and abused illicitly. Many opioids include a large number of substances that are synthesized from a few opiate precursors that can be found in the opium poppy, like the following:

• Heroin
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Methadone
• Oxycodone – trade names: Percocet and OxyContin
• Hydrocodone – trade name: Vicodin

Prescription opioids have become increasingly available in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that roughly 250 million prescriptions for opioids were written in 2013. These substances are used in medical settings for:

• Treating pain
• Pre-surgical or procedural sedation
• Reducing cough
• Managing diarrhea

According to the US National Library of Medicine, in 2014 alone, over 4 million people abused prescription opioids and over 400,000 people abused heroin in the United States. People often abuse opiates for their ability to elicit several rewarding or pleasurable effects, including:

• A feeling of well-being
• Decreased anxiety
• Lowered physical tension
• Decreased aggression

These effects are why many people develop an addiction to pain medication or other prescription opiates. It is important to keep in mind that the use of opiates, includes risk, even when they are used as prescribed. Some people may stop using them due to undesirable side effects such as slowed activity levels, constipation, nausea and vomiting while others may wish to stop using because of the risk of overdose associated with these substances.

Risk Factors for Prescription Opioid Abuse and Overdose

Research shows that some risk factors make people particularly vulnerable to prescription opioid abuse and overdose, including:

• Obtaining overlapping prescriptions from multiple providers and pharmacies
• Taking high daily dosages of prescription pain relievers
• Having mental illness or a history of alcohol or other substance abuse
• Living in rural areas and having low income Medicaid patients
• Inappropriate prescribing practices and opioid prescribing rates are substantially higher among Medicaid patients than among privately        insured patients.
• In one study based on 2010 data, 40% of Medicaid enrollees with prescriptions for pain relievers had at least one indicator of potentially inappropriate use or prescribing:
o overlapping prescriptions for pain relievers,
o overlapping pain reliever and benzodiazepine prescriptions,
o long-acting or extended release prescription pain relievers for acute pain, and
o high daily doses.

What is Opiate Withdrawal?

In people struggling with addiction to opiates or have otherwise developed a physiological dependence, there is a phenomenon called acute opiate withdrawal that arises frequently when the offending substance is reduced in dose sharply or completely eliminated.
Withdrawal from opioids is a complex topic involving aspects of physical dependence, tolerance and addiction. The drug’s prolonged interaction with the body creates a series of complicated physiological processes and primes an individual to experience symptoms of opiate withdrawal when they no longer use the drug.

When an individual uses opiate drugs, the substances eventually make their way to the brain through the bloodstream. Once they are in the brain, the molecules of the drugs cling to and activate opioid receptors in the brain. The analgesic effects of these drugs are mediated by this chemical reaction, which also contributes to triggering the release of dopamine. This neurotransmitter provides the user with a pleasurable sensation, reinforcing the behavior of drug use that caused the release in the first place.

This in turn encourages the individual to keep using the drugs. Dopamine also suppresses the release of noradrenaline, or norepinephrine, which is another neurotransmitter that normally increases energy and alertness. When this suppression occurs, it causes the individual to feel more calm and sleepy.

The brain, over time, gets used to the increased availability of dopamine and the lower levels of noradrenaline. As time passes, the brain makes the transition to formal functioning when the drug is present and abnormal functioning when the drug is not available. This need for the drug is known as physical dependence.

The brain, as part of this adaptation, will begin registering less of a dopamine response like it did initially when the opioid is used. Higher doses of the drug will be required more often to produce the same level of effects they desire. The brain’s tendency to respond less is known as tolerance.

These adaptations can be experienced even by an individual who uses an opiate as prescribed. As tolerance drives increasing use patterns and physical dependence in place, an individual who tries to stop using suddenly will experience a combination of very low levels of dopamine and very high levels of noradrenaline. This out-of-balance combination of neurotransmitters, helps in explaining some of the unpleasant opioid withdrawal symptoms that the individual begins to experience.

Since tolerance and dependence develop at unique rates in people, it is difficult to determine who will experience withdrawal symptoms from opioids until symptoms present.

Is Withdrawal from Opiates Dangerous?

Typically, withdrawal from opiates is not medically dangerous or a direct threat to an individual’s life. However, it can be extremely uncomfortable. The severity of discomfort that an individual experiences when withdrawing from opiates is influenced by different factors, including the following:

• The specific drug that the individual uses/used
• The dose
• How often they used
• The total time they used the drug
• Status of the individual’s physical health
• Status of the individual’s mental health

A person who has in the past used higher doses, on a more frequent basis, for prolonged periods of time is likely to experience stronger, more severe and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Opiate Withdrawal

Symptoms of opiate withdrawal grow and change as time passes. Some of the early symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sweating
• Muscle pain
• Poor sleep
• Anxiety or irritability
• Running

These early opioid withdrawal symptoms give way to later symptoms, including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Cramping
• Sweating
• Shakiness
• Restlessness
• Chills
• Dilated pupils
• Gooseflesh skin
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate

On average, these opiate withdrawal symptoms can start to occur between 12 to 30 hours after the last use, and in most situations, they will last between 4 and 10 days. However, an individual who is withdrawing from an opioid drug that lasts longer, such as methadone, will need up to 21 days to end this acute phase of withdrawal.

The opiate withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily end here. Sometimes, an extended period of withdrawal may continue long after the body has physically processed the substance, and acute symptoms have all but disappeared. Persisting symptoms such as these are known by different names such as protracted withdrawal, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and chronic withdrawal.

In some cases where an individual is recovering from opioid dependence, protracted withdrawal can last for months with symptoms that include:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression
• Diminished decision-making skills
• Poor sleep

Can Medications Help?

Are there ways to ease opiate withdrawal with medications? Yes, there are. There are many treatment centers in Miami that use medications to help patients get through the withdrawal phase without extreme discomfort. The attending doctor will determine which medication might be of most help to assist with opioid dependence treatment.

• Methadone: Methadone is a long-acting opioid that is often used in treating opioid withdrawal. This medication is often used in treatments for heroin addiction to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings without inducing the high that the actual drug used by the patient does. Methadone works by reducing the uncomfortable symptoms in people withdrawing from opiates. Florida’s Methadone Maintenance Treatment programs have helped heroin and other opiate addiction sufferers live normal, healthy lives. People are able to continue on with their normal schedule while taking methadone. Studies have shown that methadone works best as part of a long-term treatment plan for addiction. Florida operates 24 outpatient narcotic treatment centers that dispense methadone.

• Buprenorphine: (Suboxone, Subutex, Zubsolv, Bunavail, Probuphine) This medication, like methadone, is used in pain medication addiction treatment as well as other opiate treatments. It also works in activating the opioid receptors to help in limiting withdrawal syndrome. Because buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, it also does not elicit the sedation or euphoria that the abused opioid produces. At the appropriate dose buprenorphine treatment may suppress symptoms of opioid withdrawal, decrease cravings for opioids, reduce illicit opioid use, block the effects of other opioids, and help patients stay in treatment. After completing a treatment program a opiate blocker implant can be used to help along with recovery.

• Probuphine: This medication is a version of buprenorphine that was recently approved. The implant is a single, sterile, off-white, soft, flexible rod-shaped drug product. Each implant contains 74.2 mg buprenorphine (equivalent to 80 mg buprenorphine hydrochloride) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). It is designed to be implanted subdermally by a trained medical professional and to provide sustained delivery of buprenorphine for up to six months. Probuphine is used in pain pill addiction as well as other opiate addiction treatment plans where the medication is released in low doses over a period of 6 months. It is used to encourage compliance to the drug addiction treatment and prevent abuse.

• Clonidine: This medication was originally used to treat high blood pressure and is now used as one of the heroin addiction treatment options as it can help in reducing certain symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Because clonidine is not an opioid itself, it comes with little or no potential for abuse.

Detox from Heroin and Opioids

One of the main reasons that heroin or other opioid users relapse is due to the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms they experience when they stop using and detox off heroin. One of the best ways to prevent them from using again is detoxing off opiates. A heroin detox center in Miami is one of the best places to go when an individual wants to get clean and recover from their addiction.

When an individual enters a detox center, the staff helps the patient go through the process of eliminating dangerous substances from their system. When it is done under the care of professionals in an inpatient heroin and detox and treatment center, detox for heroin is a safe process that works in ensuring that the patient is comfortable as they become free from the presence of the drug.

There are many reputed detox facilities in Miami that provide high-quality treatment and care with a team of trained and experienced professionals who help patients through every step of the process. Although many people think that they can detox on their own, it is best to get medical detox from a professional team to ensure their safety. In a professional setting, they can receive round-the-clock monitoring and care and make sure that there is a medical team on hand if any complication arises.

Individuals who want to get clean can choose rapid detox centers as well. However, it is important to bear in mind that rapid detox methods can be dangerous and in most cases, they are not recommended. It is best to press the button for traditional drug detox or holistic detox to eliminate harmful chemicals and other substances in the safest and most effective way.

This is the first step to treating their addiction to heroin or other opiates. Once the detoxification process is complete and all traces of the harmful substances have been removed, the individual can begin looking at inpatient treatment centers in Miami to focus on recovering from their addiction in a professional drug treatment center.

 

 

Miami Treatment Programs for Heroin Addiction

While there are many effective outpatient treatment programs, it is best to seek treatment in inpatient heroin treatment centers in Miami to overcome heroin addiction. Also known as residential treatment programs (RTPs), these programs offer a wide array of services and supports to help heroin addicts recover successfully and begin living a cleaner, healthier life once again.

Inpatient programs provide therapy and counseling sessions – individual, group, and family. Patients can receive the best treatment for opiate addiction with treatment plans that are specifically designed to address their unique needs and issues. It is essential to remember that a drug treatment plan that works extremely well for one individual does not necessarily work for another.

Inpatient treatment programs usually cater to the individual but some Miami drug rehabs offer sessions for those in a relationship. An inpatient drug rehab for couples allow those married or not seek treatment as a couple.

In an inpatient treatment program, therapy and counseling sessions are tailored to the patient’s needs so that they can be provided with the most effective plan to help them recover from heroin or opioid addiction. They may also provide the best detox for heroin before the individual begins their actual treatment.

Some inpatient treatment centers also provide educational and vocational classes where patients can learn and train to help them when they leave the facility. Such classes can help them with employment and other aspects of their life when they return to their community. Some RTPs also provide exercise and fitness equipment so that recovering addicts can work out and improve their health and well-being. Many recovering addicts also enjoy the high that their workout sessions provide.

Because everyone deserves a change at sobriety some Miami inpatient drug treatment centers allow emotional support animals so patients can bring their cat or even a rehab where you can take your dog.

Outpatient treatment programs (OTPs) are best as a step-down program after individuals complete their primary treatment in a drug rehab. OTPs offer counseling, therapy, aftercare services, etc. that recovering addicts can take advantage of to stay on the right path.

The only difference is that individuals do not need to admit themselves into a facility – there are scheduled sessions throughout the week that must attend while still being able to live at home and take care of their daily responsibilities.

Get the Right Treatment for Heroin and Opioid Abuse in Miami

If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin or opioid addiction, you should seek treatment in a drug treatment center as quickly as possible. There are a number of centers in Miami, where the staff design a personalized treatment plan so that you have all the tools you need to recover successfully.

Once you have completed the program, you can begin your journey to living a clean, drug-free life and take back control of your life. Just bear in mind that recovering from a drug addiction is a lifelong journey and that you need the support of your family and friends to help ensure that you do not stray from the road you are on. For the best chance at a long-term recovery after completing a drug treatment program in Miami you should enter a structured environment like a sober living home.

Addictions to heroin and opioids are devastating for the individual suffering from the addiction as well as family and friends who want to see their loved one recover.

Battling an opioid or heroin addiction can seem like an uphill battle for those who have developed a physical dependency on the drug. However, with the right resources, opioid or heroin treatment plans, and support group, even people who have been using heroin or opioids and are addicted to the drug can recover and live a normal, healthy life.

As mentioned earlier, rates of heroin and opiate addiction have increased significantly over the recent years due to the rise in the availability of these highly addictive narcotics.

However, professionals in the medical and drug treatment fields have developed innovative methods to be used in drug treatment plans to provide people abusing heroin and other opioids, and their families, treatment and support of the highest quality to help in the full recovery from their addictions.