Opioid detox. Buprenorphine-led recovery, residential follow-on.
Opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal — but untreated, it drives the relapse-overdose cycle that claims tens of thousands of American lives each year. Pines Recovery Life pairs 24/7 medical supervision with FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) — the treatment approach backed by SAMHSA, NIDA, and ASAM.
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What opioid withdrawal actually looks like.
Opioid withdrawal is not fatal for most patients — but it is profoundly uncomfortable, and unmanaged withdrawal is a leading driver of relapse and overdose. Tolerance drops rapidly during withdrawal; a return to use at pre-detox doses is a common overdose pathway. That is why medical detox with MOUD matters.
Who needs inpatient detox: patients with heavy use, long duration of use, fentanyl exposure, pregnancy, cardiac or GI comorbidity, co-occurring psychiatric illness, polysubstance use, or prior failed outpatient attempts. Our admissions team screens for all of this.
At Pines, every opioid detox is COWS-guided, physician-directed, and MOUD-ready from hour one.
MOUD-driven, physician-directed.
Every opioid detox begins with a full assessment — substances, last use, route, daily dose, prior MAT, comorbidities, preferences. The protocol then follows the evidence.
First-line for most patients. Started once COWS score reaches safe induction threshold (typically 11–12+). Stabilization over 48–72 hours. Long-acting Sublocade injection available for continued treatment.
Appropriate for patients with high opioid tolerance, prior buprenorphine non-response, or established methadone maintenance. Coordinated with federally certified Opioid Treatment Programs for continuity after discharge.
Vivitrol — opioid antagonist given monthly after full detox. Blocks opioid receptors. Requires 7–10 days fully opioid-free before induction. Ideal for patients who prefer non-opioid maintenance.
Fentanyl’s long tissue half-life can cause precipitated withdrawal if buprenorphine is started too early. Our protocol extends the induction window and uses micro-dosing strategies when indicated. Naloxone accessible at every station.
Clonidine for autonomic symptoms. Ondansetron for nausea. Loperamide for diarrhea. Non-habit-forming sleep aids. NSAIDs for muscle pain. Suffering is not a treatment.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD are common with opioid use disorder. Psychiatric assessment from day one — medication adjustments and therapy in parallel, not after.
Medication reduces harm. Therapy rewires the pattern.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Evidence-based for identifying and changing the cognitive patterns that drive opioid use.
Contingency Management
Structured reinforcement for attendance and negative drug screens — among the strongest evidence bases in OUD.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone — the backbone of modern opioid addiction care.
EMDR Trauma Therapy
Trauma is common in OUD. EMDR targets the memories that fuel ongoing use.
Group Therapy
Peer-supported, clinician-led sessions addressing shared experiences of opioid dependence.
Family Programming
Education and sessions for family — when the patient consents.
From first call to stable in care.
Admissions & Assessment
Full clinical assessment, COWS baseline upon arrival, medical workup, insurance verification, intake logistics.
Medical Detox
5–14 days depending on opioid, tolerance, and MAT trajectory. Buprenorphine induction typically at 24–72 hours.
Residential Inpatient
14–30 days of CBT, CM, EMDR, group, psychiatric care, family work, MAT stabilization. Step-down coordinated through our partner network.
MOUD is medically necessary care.
Under federal parity laws, commercial insurance covers medically necessary opioid detox and MOUD at parity with medical/surgical benefits.
Verify CoverageQuestions families ask, answered plainly.
Is opioid withdrawal dangerous?+
How long does opioid detox take?+
What is MOUD?+
What is COWS?+
Will I have to stay on MOUD forever?+
Does insurance cover opioid detox?+
Clinical information on this page reviewed by Sergey Litvinov, MD — Medical Director and board-certified psychiatrist at Pines Recovery Life. Updated April 2026.
Authoritative references: NIDA — Opioids · SAMHSA MOUD · FDA — MOUD · CDC Overdose
Frequently Asked Questions
What are opioid withdrawal symptoms?
Symptoms include muscle aches, runny nose, watery eyes, yawning, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and severe anxiety. While rarely life-threatening for otherwise healthy adults, withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable and frequently drives relapse without medical support.
How long does opioid detox take?
Typical detox is 5 to 10 days. Short-acting opioids like heroin and oxycodone cause faster, more intense withdrawal lasting 4 to 7 days. Long-acting opioids like methadone and sustained-release oxycodone produce longer, more drawn-out withdrawal.
Will I be given Suboxone or methadone during detox?
Often, yes. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone is commonly used to suppress withdrawal symptoms and stabilize you, then gradually tapered. Some patients continue medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) post-detox as part of long-term recovery — this is a clinical conversation, not an automatic step.
Is opioid detox safe?
Medically supervised detox is significantly safer than home detox. Opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal in healthy adults, but dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea can cause serious complications, and the intensity drives many people back to use. Medical detox prevents both.
Can I detox if I am using fentanyl?
Yes. Fentanyl detox uses the same MOUD-based approach (buprenorphine or methadone induction, comfort medications, hydration, monitoring). Because fentanyl is more potent and stores in fat tissue, induction timing is calibrated carefully to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
Does insurance cover opioid detox?
Yes, in most cases. Pines is in-network with major commercial carriers, Tricare, and VA Community Care. Call (855) 981-8935 for confidential verification.
