Opioids can be safe when taken exactly as prescribed for short periods. However, extended or non-prescribed use leads to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Because of the euphoric effect opioids produce, misuse can escalate quickly. Some people experience early withdrawal symptoms after just a few consecutive days of heavy use.
Opioid Addiction
Treatment in West Palm Beach, Florida
What are
opioids and opiates?
Opioids are a class of drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and body to block pain signals and produce euphoric effects. That euphoria is what makes them highly addictive — the brain quickly learns to associate opioids with pleasure and survival.
Opioids include:
- Prescription pain relievers: oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), codeine, morphine, Dilaudid, and Demerol
- Synthetic opioids: fentanyl and methadone
- Illicit opioids: heroin
Natural opioids derived directly from the opium poppy — including morphine, codeine, and heroin — are technically called opiates, though the terms are often used interchangeably. All opioids, whether natural, semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic, carry significant addiction risk.
The Fentanyl Crisis
Synthetic opioids — particularly illicitly manufactured fentanyl — have driven a dramatic surge in overdose deaths. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, meaning even a small miscalculation in dose can be fatal. The CDC reported more than 36,000 synthetic opioid overdose deaths in 2019 alone — a 16% increase from 2018 and nearly 12 times the 2013 rate.
What Is Opioid Use Disorder?
The DSM-5 defines opioid use disorder as compulsive opioid use despite significant negative consequences. At its core, opioid addiction is a brain disease: with repeated use, the brain’s reward system comes to perceive opioids as necessary for survival. The person isn’t choosing drugs over their life — on a neurological level, they believe drugs are their life.
This is why willpower alone rarely works, and why professional, medically supervised treatment is essential.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
- Loss of control over opioid use
- Intense cravings and drug-seeking behavior
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Increasing tolerance — needing higher doses to feel the same effect
- Neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities
- Financial problems or stealing to fund drug use
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Drowsiness, changes in sleep patterns, or weight loss
- Declining hygiene and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Opioid Withdrawal: What to Expect
When someone dependent on opioids stops using, the brain and body react. Common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, insomnia, anxiety, rapid heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. These symptoms are intensely uncomfortable — and the drive to use again to relieve them is one of the primary reasons opioid addiction is so difficult to break without help.
Heroin and high-dose opioid withdrawal can be medically dangerous and should never be attempted alone. Medical supervision during detox is critical to managing symptoms safely and preventing complications.
Opioid Addiction Treatment at Beachway
Beachway’s opioid treatment program follows a structured, step-down continuum of care — from medically supervised detox through residential treatment, intensive outpatient, and long-term aftercare.
Step 1: Medically Supervised Detox
Detox is the first and most physically demanding phase of recovery. At Beachway, patients receive 24-hour nursing care, physician monitoring, and psychiatric support throughout the detox process. Medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and address co-occurring psychiatric needs can be prescribed and managed by our clinical team.
Detox typically lasts a few days to several weeks depending on the substance used, the length of use, and the severity of dependence.
Step 2: Residential Inpatient Treatment (4–6 Weeks)
Following detox, a minimum of four to six weeks of residential inpatient treatment provides the stability and structure needed for early recovery. At Beachway, residential treatment includes:
- Individual and group therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based modalities
- 12-Step programming and peer support
- Holistic therapies including equine therapy, art therapy, yoga, and nutritional counseling
- Education about addiction, relapse prevention, and healthy coping skills
Step 3: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
After completing residential treatment, many patients transition to our Intensive Outpatient Program. IOP allows patients to reintegrate into daily life while continuing structured therapy — including group and individual counseling, medication management, 12-Step participation, and supervised sober living housing.
Step 4: Continuing Care and Aftercare
Long-term recovery is built through consistent, stepped-down support. After IOP, ongoing outpatient treatment continues until the patient has established a strong recovery foundation, a positive support network, and the tools to manage life without substances. The more seamless the transition between levels of care, the more durable the sobriety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Opioid Addiction and Treatment
How does opioid addiction develop?
How long does it take to get addicted to opioids?
It varies by individual, substance, dose, and frequency of use. Other factors — such as alcohol use and genetic predisposition to addiction — can accelerate dependence. For some, problematic dependence can develop within days to weeks of daily use.
Who is most at risk for opioid addiction?
Anyone prescribed opioids is at some risk, particularly with long-term use. Additional risk factors include a personal or family history of addiction, co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or trauma, early exposure to substances, and social or environmental stressors.
Are there medications used in opioid treatment?
Yes. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone is evidence-based and effective for opioid use disorder. Beachway's psychiatrists evaluate each patient individually to determine whether MAT is appropriate as part of their treatment plan.
What's the difference between opioid dependence and opioid addiction?
Dependence refers to a physical adaptation — the body requires the drug to function normally. Addiction involves compulsive use and loss of control despite negative consequences. Both require professional treatment; neither is a character flaw.
How do I help someone addicted to opioids?
The most impactful thing you can do is connect them with professional treatment. Avoid enabling use, set clear boundaries, and consider attending family therapy to learn how to support recovery without sacrificing your own wellbeing. Beachway offers family support resources as part of our treatment program.
Why Choose Beachway for Opioid Treatment?
- Medical supervision from day one: 24-hour nursing care and psychiatrist access during detox and beyond
- Integrated dual diagnosis treatment: Co-occurring mental health conditions treated alongside addiction
- Holistic healing: Equine therapy, art therapy, yoga, and nutritional support alongside clinical care
- Comprehensive continuum of care: Detox → residential → IOP → aftercare, all in one program
- Serene South Florida setting: Proximity to the beach and natural environment supports nervous system recovery
Get Help for Opioid Addiction Today
Opioid addiction is a medical condition — and like any medical condition, it responds to the right treatment. The longer addiction continues, the greater the risk of overdose, health consequences, and loss. Reaching out is the most important step.
Call Beachway at 877-890-8251 to speak confidentially with a treatment specialist who can help determine the right level of care for your situation. Help is available — and recovery is possible.