Home Opioid Detox

Detoxing from opioids is the first step in controlling the chaos caused by addiction. There are many opioid detox options in New York City. One of the lesser-known and most convenient options in Manhattan is the home detox solution. Most opioid detox programs may admit you to an inpatient facility. The inpatient detox comes with many restrictions on privacy, visitation, and creature comforts. Also, outpatient opioid detox occurs in your home or hotel. You would be able to have the support of your loved ones around you. What’s more, a board-certified nurse practitioner will manage your home detox. Detox is the first step in addiction and rehabilitation. This is the first step on your road to sobriety.

Opioids include substances such as heroin, fentanyl, OxyContin, oxycodone, Percocet, and Vicodin. This class of drugs is known as narcotics and is highly addictive.

Medication Assisted Therapy

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options are available to make you more comfortable during your home opioid detox. Suboxone is a combination drug that contains buprenorphine and naltrexone. Suboxone binds to your opioid receptors and saturates them. The very long half-life of Suboxone allows the opioids to wash out of your system slowly, reducing the discomfort associated with opioid withdrawal.

Some people do not want to use suboxone for detox, but would rather use the various supportive medications to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. Either option will complete the process in 4-5 days. After the initial opioid detox, some patients prefer to stay on Suboxone Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT). MAT will require you to take a dose of Suboxone every day forever. For some patients, this is an acceptable way of life given the potential risk and harm of relapsing. This strategy is known as a harm reduction strategy. Harm reduction has a very high success rate when combined with individual psychotherapy and group therapy. The major drawback to this is it can become expensive. There are some drug-drug interactions that your health care providers should be mindful of when caring for you. Patients should wear a medical alert bracelet who are on Suboxone (buprenorphine-naltrexone).

How long does it take to detox at home?

Suboxone for opioid detox only requires 2-3 days.  Other psychotropic medications help reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Opioid detox and addiction treatment are most effective when combined with individual psychotherapy, and support groups.

Another way to detox from opioids is the symptom-management psychopharmacology approach followed by a long-acting injection of naltrexone also known as Vivitrol. This medication is a once-a-month injection that blocks the opioid receptors so that if you happen to have a lapse it will keep you from getting high. Patients who choose to have this medication also should wear a medical alert bracelet.  Home Opioid detox can be a safe and effective first step on your road to recovery.

About Metro Medical Direct

Dr. Raymond Zakhari is the owner and operator of Metro Medical Direct and provides Telehealth and in-home visits. He also provides in-home alcohol and drug rehabilitation. Book an appointment here and check out the rest of this site for more information about concierge medicine.

Also, check out Dr. Ray’s Podcast The Psychology of it All here. Also available on Apple Podcasts.