What We Treat
Opioid Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
Opioid addiction can develop quickly, whether someone is using prescription pain medications or illicit opioids like heroin or fentanyl. At Wellness Detox LA, we provide medically supervised detox and residential treatment that stabilizes withdrawal, restores safety, and helps clients rebuild long-term recovery.
What Is Opioid Addiction?
Opioid addiction happens when the brain comes to depend on opioids to handle pain, stress, or emotional discomfort. Opioids attach to the brain's reward and pain centers, producing strong relief and euphoria. Over time the brain struggles to work without them, which drives compulsive use, physical dependence, and a serious overdose risk.
Common opioids include prescription medications (oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine), illicit opioids (heroin, illicit fentanyl), and synthetics (tramadol, methadone when misused). According to the CDC, over 80,000 overdose deaths in 2022 involved opioids, making opioid addiction one of the most critical health issues in the United States today.
Signs & Symptoms of Opioid Addiction
Physical
- Pinpoint pupils
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Drowsiness or "nodding off"
- Itching, flushing, or warm sensations
- Track marks or bruising (if injecting)
Behavioral
- Using opioids more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed
- Doctor shopping or seeking illegal opioids
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or responsibilities
- Financial trouble or secrecy around spending
Psychological
- Strong cravings
- Anxiety or agitation
- Depression or emotional numbness
- Problems concentrating
- Restlessness or irritability
Opioid Withdrawal & Why You Shouldn't Detox Cold-Turkey
Opioid withdrawal sets in once the brain and nervous system can no longer run normally without the drug. After prolonged use the body leans on opioids to regulate pain, mood, and stress. Stop, and intense physical and emotional symptoms follow. It is rarely life-threatening, but it is extremely uncomfortable — and that is what sends most people back to using without support.
- 1
Early
8–12h
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Muscle aches and bone pain
- Yawning and watery eyes
- 2
Peak
24–72h
- Severe cravings
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Goosebumps and shaking
- 3
Post-Acute (PAWS)
- Mood swings or depression
- Fatigue and low motivation
- Difficulty concentrating or managing stress
Why Medical Detox Is Critical
Medical Stabilization
Detox focuses on regulating vital signs, managing dehydration, and stabilizing the body as opioids leave the system.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medications such as buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, clonidine, and comfort medications may be used to ease withdrawal and minimize cravings.
24/7 Monitoring & Support
Clients receive round-the-clock monitoring to ensure safety during vomiting, agitation, insomnia, or emotional distress, and to help prevent relapse.
Transition Into Residential Care
After stabilization, clients transition into residential care where therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, and relapse-prevention planning rebuild long-term stability.
Dual Diagnosis & Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is deeply connected to mental-health challenges. Many individuals struggling with opioid dependence also experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorders, or chronic stress. According to NIDA, more than 40% of people with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental-health condition.
Our dual diagnosis program addresses both the addiction and the underlying emotional or psychiatric issues driving it, with a full psychiatric assessment, medication support when clinically appropriate, and evidence-based therapies.
Our Levels of Care
Treatment moves through stages. These are the four we provide, in the order most clients experience them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Early signs include pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, itching, constipation, slowed breathing, mood swings, and using opioids more often than prescribed. Behavioral shifts like secrecy, doctor shopping, or isolating from loved ones may also appear.
Dependence can develop within days to weeks, especially with strong prescription opioids like oxycodone or illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl. Repeated use alters the brain's pain and reward systems.
Opioids produce powerful surges of dopamine, creating intense relief and euphoria. Over time, the brain reduces its natural ability to regulate pain and stress, leading to cravings, compulsive use, and withdrawal when use stops.
Opioid withdrawal can cause muscle aches, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, heart rate increases, and strong cravings. Symptoms typically start 8–24 hours after the last dose and peak within 2–3 days.
While not usually life-threatening, opioid withdrawal can be dangerous due to dehydration, extreme agitation, blood pressure changes, and a high relapse risk. Medical detox ensures safe stabilization.
Medications such as buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, clonidine, and comfort medications are commonly used to ease withdrawal, reduce cravings, and support early recovery.
Prescription opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine) are used medically but can be misused. Illicit opioids (heroin, illegal fentanyl) have no quality control and carry a significantly higher overdose risk. Both can cause severe dependence.
Overdose risk increases when opioids are mixed with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or fentanyl-contaminated drugs. Taking higher doses than prescribed or using opioids after a period of abstinence (reduced tolerance) also greatly increases risk.
Naloxone rapidly blocks opioid receptors, reversing slowed or stopped breathing. Its effects are temporary, so emergency medical help is required even after naloxone is administered.
Most insurance plans cover opioid detox, residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis services. Wellness Detox LA provides fast, confidential insurance verification. Call 866-591-0888.
As soon as opioid misuse begins, even before addiction fully develops. Early intervention is critical to prevent dependence, withdrawal complications, and overdose.
Get Started Today
Start opioid recovery safely today
Reaching out is the first step toward change. Speak with a caring admissions specialist today — confidentially and without pressure.