Ascend Recovery: Lifting You Up on the Path to Healing, Because We’ve Walked It Too
Ascend Recovery: Lifting You Up on the Path to Healing, Because We’ve Walked It Too
Opiate withdrawal can feel scary and unpredictable — especially if you’re trying to figure out what’s “normal,” what’s dangerous, and what kind of help you actually need. At Ascend Recovery Center New Mexico, our medical detox team supports individuals in Albuquerque and surrounding areas with structured, compassionate care designed to help you get stable and plan what comes next.
If you’re not sure whether you need detox, you don’t have to decide alone. A quick clinical conversation can help you understand your options and the safest next step.
Opiate detox is the process of helping your body safely adjust when you stop or reduce opioid use after dependence has developed. People often say “opiate” and “opioid” like they mean the same thing — and in everyday conversation, they often do. Clinically, opiates are natural (plant-derived) drugs and opioids include both natural and synthetic drugs that act similarly in the body.
Withdrawal is often described as “flu-like,” but it can also include dehydration, rapid heart rate, blood pressure changes, intense anxiety, and high relapse risk without support. A medically supervised setting can help you stabilize, prevent complications, and reduce the odds of cycling back into use.
Trying to “push through” opioid withdrawal alone is common — and it’s also one of the most likely times for people to relapse. One major reason is symptom intensity: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, sweating, insomnia, and severe restlessness can make it hard to stay hydrated, sleep, or feel emotionally steady.
Opioid withdrawal can look different from person to person, but there are common patterns. Symptoms can be physical, emotional, and behavioral — and they often shift over time.
If you’re also dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or bipolar symptoms, withdrawal can intensify those feelings — and that doesn’t mean you’re “failing.” It means you deserve support that treats the whole picture.
Below is a general timeline. Your exact experience depends on what you used (heroin vs fentanyl vs prescription opioids), how long you used, your dose, and your health history.
When medication may be needed: If symptoms are severe, if you have medical risks, or if cravings are high enough to threaten immediate relapse, medication support may be part of a safe detox plan.
Detox medication decisions are individualized. The goal is to reduce withdrawal intensity, help you stay medically stable, and lower relapse risk — while planning long-term recovery support.
SAMHSA recognizes FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, including methadone and buprenorphine, as effective treatment options when clinically appropriate.
Depending on symptoms, clinicians may use medications to support:
Only a qualified clinician can determine what’s appropriate and safe for you.
People sometimes ask: “Should I taper, or do I need detox?”
Tapering is a doctor-guided plan to gradually reduce opioid use to lessen withdrawal intensity. Tapering can be appropriate in some situations — especially when opioids were taken as prescribed and there is close medical oversight.
Medical detox is structured care designed to help you stabilize safely when withdrawal is likely to be intense, complicated, or high-risk.
Tapering is often not enough when:
A clinician should guide this decision based on your health, substance history, and risk factors.
Here’s what the process often looks like at Ascend Recovery Center New Mexico — in clear, practical steps:
This isn’t meant to scare you — it’s meant to be honest about why support matters.
Unsupervised opioid withdrawal can involve:
If you or someone you love is in immediate danger or considering self-harm, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911 right now.
Detox is a starting point, not the finish line. Many people feel physically better after withdrawal — then cravings, stress, and old patterns can hit hard once they’re back in daily life. Long-term recovery usually works best with continued support, structure, and skill-building.
Common next steps include:
Some people experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) after the most intense physical withdrawal is over. PAWS isn’t the same as “still detoxing.” It’s more like your brain and stress system recalibrating after opioid dependence.
PAWS symptoms can include:
Treatment helps because it gives you structure, coping skills, and mental health support while your system stabilizes — and it reduces the chance that PAWS symptoms push you back into use.
Not all opioid detox experiences feel the same.
No matter the opioid, the safest plan is the one built around your history, symptoms, and risks.
Each of our addiction treatment programs is designed to address the unique needs of every individual. Our compassionate team is committed to providing the best care possible through evidence-based therapies, personalized treatment plans, and a holistic approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. We are here to help you or your loved one take the first step toward a healthier, substance-free life.
Ascend Recovery Centers: 883 Lead Ave. SE, Albuquerque NM 87105
Many people experience the most intense symptoms within the first week, but timelines vary based on the opioid type (short- vs long-acting), dose, and health factors.
Some people try, but it can be unsafe — especially if symptoms lead to dehydration, panic, or relapse. If you’re unsure, a medical assessment can help you choose the safest option.
Medication options may include buprenorphine, methadone, and non-opioid symptom-support medications like clonidine or lofexidine when clinically appropriate.
If you’ve had severe withdrawal before, are using high-potency opioids (including fentanyl), have medical conditions, or your mental health worsens during withdrawal, medical detox may be the safest route.
Most people benefit from stepping into residential care, PHP, IOP, outpatient, and/or MAT support — detox alone usually isn’t enough for lasting recovery.
Many insurance plans cover detox and addiction treatment, but benefits vary. The easiest next step is to verify coverage with the admissions team.
It’s often not life-threatening, but it can make you feel very sick and can create real risks (dehydration, mental health destabilization, and overdose risk after relapse).
You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’re in New Mexico and worried about withdrawal, the next step can be a simple conversation — no judgment, no pressure.
Find out if your insurance provider could cover your treatment
