Demerol Detox & Withdrawal Treatment Options

As an opioid, Demerol is a commonly abused medication. Demerol is highly addictive, and many people who misuse this medication may find themselves showing the hallmark symptoms of addiction. Demerol detox at We Level Up can help.

Demerol Detox, Treatment, Therapy, and Withdrawal

Demerol, also known as Meperidine, is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of moderate to severe pain. Demerol belongs to a class of drugs called opiate analgesics. It may be used alone or with other medications. However, it is strongly advised that Demerol be used strictly as directed by your doctor. Taking it more often than needed or in higher doses than prescribed may lead to addiction requiring Demerol detox.

Demerol affects the brain by altering how your body feels and responds to pain. Demerol is not intended for long-term use. It should only be prescribed to treat sudden episodes of moderate to severe pain. Prolonged use or taking Demerol in higher doses than necessary can cause changes in your brain.

Like other opioid drugs, such as morphine, oxycodone, or heroin, Demerol abuse can create feelings such as:

  • Euphoria
  • Relaxation
  • Stress relief
  • Drowsiness
  • Pain relief

Yet as people engage in more substance abuse, they begin to develop a tolerance for the drug and experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop. The substance that is used to provide stress relief and relaxation eventually creates the exact opposite effect, making people feel more stressed, uncomfortable, and anxious.

Despite these negative effects, Demerol addiction can be difficult to overcome. Demerol withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable, and people experience intense and invasive drug cravings that drive them back.

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Demerol Detox Timeline

As Demerol affects our brain, long-term use changes your brain’s functions. When changes occur, it indicates that your brain has become dependent on the substance. At that point, you will experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop using or cut back. Withdrawal could occur when you suddenly quit or reduce the amount of Demerol in your system. Demerol withdrawal symptoms are excruciating and uncomfortable.

Demerol withdrawal symptoms begin less than 24 hours after a person last used the drug, getting progressively worse as time goes on. Opioid withdrawal typically peaks about 72 hours after withdrawals begin, and people will feel the most intense withdrawal symptoms at this time. 

After the third day, physical symptoms begin to improve but can still be felt for up to 10 to 14 days.

Demerol withdrawal is not typically life-threatening but can have serious consequences if not attended to by a team of addiction and medical professionals. 

The greatest risk is the potential of relapse; many people would rather return to Demerol abuse than continue experiencing the intense withdrawal symptoms if they are not appropriately treated.

Symptoms of Demerol Withdrawal

The symptoms of Demerol withdrawal are often compared to a severe flu, although they can be much more intense and uncomfortable. Common Demerol withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Hallucinations
  • Nausea
  • Loss of Breath
  • Muscle Pains
  • Insomnia
  • Vomiting
  • Restlessness
  • Sweating
  • Dry Mouth
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Running Eyes and Nose
  • Paranoia
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
Demerol Detox
With proper medical knowledge, detox can be less trying

Fortunately, many of these symptoms can be alleviated through targeted treatments offered at We Level Up’s Demerol detox centers.

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Duration of Demerol Withdrawal and Timeline

There are two phases of withdrawal that a user will experience during Demerol detox. These are acute withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Acute withdrawal is the first phase and usually occurs during the 3rd and 10th day of your last Demerol dose while the PAWS lasts longer, in some cases as long as 24 months, but the symptoms eventually fade as time passes by.

First 24 HoursThis is where irritating symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, physical discomfort, and irritability arise. You may also feel strong urges that, if not properly addressed, could lead to relapse.
Days 2-5Expect your withdrawal symptoms to worsen. Some common symptoms that manifest during this phase are nausea, vomiting, nausea, sweating, and muscle aches.
Days 6-14The withdrawal symptoms are fading. The remaining symptoms are not that painful. PAWS is expected to begin during this phase.
Days 15-onwardsOther symptoms such as depression, mood swings, restlessness, inability to feel pleasure, poor concentration, decreased appetite, agitation, anxiety, lack of motivation and insomnia fade away. The urge to take the drug again may persist.

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Demerol Detox

Detox is the first step in your treatment plan to overcome your Demerol addiction. This phase allows your body to flush out Demerol from your system and allow your body to recover so it can function normally again. Constant monitoring should ensure a safe and comfortable process for the patient by relieving and supporting any symptoms the patient is experiencing.

At a medical detox center, a team of medical and mental health professionals works together to ensure that you have everything you need to overcome your addiction. 

This includes targeted treatments to reduce Demerol withdrawal symptoms, a safe and restorative place to focus on your recovery, and 24/7 medical monitoring to ensure your comfort and safety.

Medical detox typically occurs in three stages, each of which focuses on a different aspect of helping you overcome your substance use disorder.

Stage 1: Diagnosis and Assessment

The first step of treatment in our medical detox center is a thorough physical and mental health assessment. This includes asking about your history of Demerol abuse, including what your typical dosage was, how often you used Demerol, and the overall length of time you’ve experienced Demerol addiction.

In addition, this screening helps our team understand if you have any pre-existing mental health disorders or medical conditions that may influence your future addiction treatment. People who have a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, for instance, may need targeted treatment to help them manage their symptoms during the detox process.

These assessments can help our team of addiction treatment specialists customize your treatment plan going forward and provide targeted relief for any symptoms you’re currently experiencing.

Stage 2: Treatment and Stabilization

The next phase of Demerol detox involves targeted medical treatment and observation. Several different medications exist as a treatment for Demerol addiction and can provide significant relief from the physical symptoms of withdrawal. Typically, this includes medications known as partial opioid agonists, such as Suboxone or Subutex.

Partial opioid agonists work to relieve opioid withdrawal by activating the same receptors in the brain as Demerol does, but to a much lesser degree. This can substantially reduce Demerol withdrawal symptoms while not being so powerful as to produce the euphoric effects of an addictive drug.

This stage of treatment lasts for up to two weeks. Supportive medications are slowly tapered on a specific schedule so that by the time you leave medical detox, you are free from all of your withdrawal symptoms and prepared for the next steps of your recovery with a clear mind.

Stage 3: Transitioning Care

The final stage of our Demerol detox program is transitioning to the next level of treatment. 

While medical detox is an important first step, detox alone is not enough to produce long-term recovery. It must be followed by intensive addiction treatment in order for people to build the skills and coping mechanisms required for their new life in sobriety.

At We Level Up, the transition of care is as smooth as possible. Our treatment network covers the full continuum of addiction care, which allows our different stages of addiction treatment to function interconnectedly. 

This means you can easily transition from a medical detox into residential treatment or a partial hospitalization program without needing to wait for a bed or go through a new admissions process.

Discharge planning happens as soon as you arrive at detox to ensure that everything is ready to go by the time you’ve completed the first stage of treatment.

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Demerol Drug Addiction Treatment

After completing the Demerol detox, attending further treatment and rehabilitation is highly recommended to help you completely overcome your Demerol addiction. Detox is just the first phase. Further treatment and rehabilitation are necessary for you to succeed in your recovery.

We Level Up offers both residential treatment programs and partial hospitalization programs to help people build the tools of recovery and overcome their addiction. While both of these programs are highly effective, they have a few key differences that may impact your decision on which to choose.

Residential Rehab

A residential treatment facility offers the most intensive form of addiction treatment available. During residential treatment, our clients live on-site at one of our treatment facilities with other people working toward recovery. They receive intensive treatments and therapies throughout the day and enjoy luxurious accommodations in the evenings.

This treatment style allows people to focus their full energy on their recovery. In addition, it helps people new to sobriety avoid the temptations and triggers of the outside world. People can focus on building the tools and skills needed for recovery in a safe and drug-free atmosphere with a group of peers who share a common goal.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) offer the same evidence-based therapies and treatments as residential programs but do so in an outpatient setting. This means clients attending a PHP will continue living at home during treatment or find placement in supportive recovery housing.

The time commitment for PHPs is still intensive and is often compared to a full-time job. People in a PHP will attend treatment for several hours a day, several times a week. These programs are ideal for people who need intensive addiction treatment but don’t want to live at a treatment facility while doing so.

The following are some of the treatments available to you:
  • 12-step programs: The 12-step program is a 12-step plan to overcome addictions and compulsions. The basic premise of this model is that people can help one another achieve and maintain abstinence from substances of abuse, but that healing cannot come about unless people with addictions surrender to a higher power.
  • Individual therapy and counseling: Engaging in Individual therapy and counseling can further help in your recovery as this phase enables you to address the emotional and psychological factors contributing to your addiction.
  • Group counseling: Group counseling involves interaction with other patients in a similar condition as you, including family members. Group therapy provides additional and lets you learn and allows you to express your support for each other.
  • Family Therapy. Provides counseling to the members of the patient’s family. It also educates them on proper support and relapse prevention. Family Therapy helps them improve their relationship and establishes practical communication skills to help them further understand each other.
  • Aftercare: Attending aftercare programs such as support groups, outpatient visits, counseling, and therapy is essential in completing your journey to recovery. Aftercare helps you identify triggers of your Soma addiction and provides you skills and information on how to avoid them, effectively preventing relapse.

If you are ready to face your Demerol addiction and turn your life around, We Level Up can help you. We offer excellent detox and treatment programs developed by our dedicated and well-trained professionals to help you recover most safely and comfortably. Time to put your addiction behind you. Call us today.

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