Detrox Opiate
The detox for opiates is different a different program than that used for alcohol abuse. The drugs that fall into this classification act at the opiate receptors in the central nervous system. The withdrawal symptoms associated with this type of detoxification are some of the worst that patients experience with the most severe withdrawal occurring from morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone and meperidine. Some of these symptoms include: * Abdominal cramping * Irritability * Agitation * Insomnia * Anorexia * Anxiety * Muscle spasms * Diarrhea * High blood pressure In a detox for opiate program, the general goal is to make the patient comfortable and to minimize the withdrawal as much as possible. A supportive nursing staff is of monumental importance, as is ongoing counselling because most of these patients are very afraid. The initial assessment by the doctor will look at the case history of opiate abuse. X-rays, blood tests, tests for HIV and STD's and tuberculosis are standard medical tests that need to be preformed to be sure the patient is in good health and will be able to withstand the program. Some detox programs for opiates require that opiates have to be administered to help with the withdrawal symptoms or while waiting for a referral to a program. Patients that require detox for methodone are not allowed to take the medication home with them if they are in an outpatient program. A primary counsellor could be assigned to a patient