Opioid Detox in Palm Beach, FL

Opioid dependence affects people from every walk of life in Palm Beach and throughout South Florida. Whether the dependency developed through a legitimate prescription for pain management or through illicit drug use, the path to recovery begins with a safe, medically supervised detoxification. Dr. Mark G. Agresti, M.D. — a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 30 years of clinical experience — offers a truly unique outpatient opioid detox program built on the concierge model: one flat fee, direct cell phone access to Dr. Agresti throughout your detox, and no annual membership requirement. You receive genuine physician-level attention at every step, in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

What Is Opioid Detox?

Opioid detoxification is the medically supervised process of clearing opioids from the body while managing the withdrawal symptoms that emerge as the nervous system recalibrates. The opioid receptors throughout the brain and body have been chronically stimulated; when opioids are abruptly removed, a cascade of autonomic and psychological symptoms follows — sweating, chills, muscle cramps, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense drug cravings. Without appropriate medical support, these symptoms can be so severe that relapse is almost inevitable.

Medically assisted detox uses evidence-based medications — primarily buprenorphine-based therapies — to stabilize opioid receptors, suppress withdrawal, and reduce cravings. This is not simply “getting through” withdrawal; it is the foundation of a sustainable recovery. Dr. Agresti’s outpatient approach means you do not need to check into a residential facility. You detox at home, communicate directly with Dr. Agresti by phone and text, and receive prescription adjustments in real time based on how you are feeling.

Fentanyl Detox

Fentanyl has transformed the opioid crisis in South Florida and across the United States. Estimated at 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is now present in counterfeit pills, heroin, and even stimulants — making accidental overdose a constant risk. Patients who are physically dependent on fentanyl face a particularly challenging detox: the drug’s extreme potency means receptor occupancy is intense, and withdrawal — while not necessarily longer than other opioids — can be extraordinarily severe.

Dr. Agresti uses buprenorphine-based protocols (Suboxone sublingual film or Sublocade extended-release injectable) to stabilize fentanyl-dependent patients. The induction process must be carefully timed relative to the patient’s last fentanyl use to avoid precipitated withdrawal. Because fentanyl’s half-life can be unpredictable depending on its source and formulation, Dr. Agresti provides direct cell phone guidance through every step of induction — ensuring you are not navigating the most critical hours alone. Many fentanyl patients transition to Sublocade, a monthly buprenorphine injection, which eliminates daily medication management and dramatically reduces diversion risk.

Oxycodone Detox

Oxycodone — sold under brand names including OxyContin, Percocet, and Roxicodone — remains one of the most commonly misused prescription opioids. Patients may have begun taking oxycodone following surgery or for chronic pain, only to find that stopping the medication triggers withdrawal. Others may have escalated from prescribed doses to obtaining pills illicitly. Either way, the withdrawal profile is similar: onset within 8 to 12 hours of the last dose, peaking around 36 to 72 hours, and subsiding over 7 to 10 days.

For oxycodone dependence, Dr. Agresti offers a structured tapering approach using buprenorphine induction to bridge the acute withdrawal period. The goal is to stabilize the patient on a therapeutic buprenorphine dose and then taper gradually — at a pace dictated by the individual’s comfort and schedule — rather than forcing an arbitrary timeline. Many patients are surprised by how manageable detox can be with proper medical guidance. Ongoing support for cravings and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is also available.

Heroin Detox

Heroin is a short-acting opioid, which means withdrawal symptoms emerge quickly — typically within 6 to 12 hours of the last use — and can be acute in intensity. The classic withdrawal picture includes severe flu-like symptoms, insomnia, restless legs, profound anxiety, and drug cravings that can overwhelm every rational intention. The fear of withdrawal is itself a powerful driver of continued heroin use; many people who sincerely want to stop find themselves using again simply to feel normal.

Buprenorphine (the active component of Suboxone) has a strong affinity for opioid receptors and, when properly dosed, suppresses heroin withdrawal within 30 to 60 minutes of the first dose. Dr. Agresti performs a careful assessment of your opioid use history — amount, frequency, last use — before initiating induction. Once stabilized, patients typically experience a significant reduction in cravings within the first 48 to 72 hours. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine is not simply substituting one addiction for another; it is an evidence-based therapy that restores function and dramatically reduces overdose risk.

Morphine Detox

Morphine is an intermediate-acting opioid most commonly encountered in hospital settings, though it is also available in extended-release oral forms for chronic pain management. Physical dependence on morphine can develop within weeks of regular use, and patients stopping morphine after prolonged use will typically begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms within 8 to 24 hours. The withdrawal is similar to other opioids: autonomic hyperactivity, gastrointestinal distress, insomnia, anxiety, and cravings.

Outpatient morphine detox with Dr. Agresti follows the same buprenorphine-based approach used for other opioids. The advantage of outpatient care is that patients do not have to put their lives entirely on hold — many patients continue with work, family responsibilities, and daily routines throughout detox, with Dr. Agresti’s direct cell access providing reassurance and medical support as needed. After the acute detox phase, Dr. Agresti can also help address any underlying pain conditions with non-opioid psychiatric and pharmacological strategies.

Methadone Detox

Methadone presents a uniquely challenging detox scenario. Because of its extremely long half-life — often 24 to 36 hours, and in some patients even longer — methadone withdrawal is a prolonged process. The full acute withdrawal from high-dose methadone maintenance can last several weeks, with protracted symptoms extending months in some cases. Patients who have been on methadone maintenance for years can face an especially difficult transition.

Dr. Agresti approaches methadone detox with a gradual, individualized plan. In some cases, a direct transition from methadone to buprenorphine (Suboxone or Sublocade) is appropriate; this transition requires careful timing and patience to avoid precipitated withdrawal, as buprenorphine cannot be started until the patient is in moderate withdrawal from methadone — typically 36 to 72 hours after the last methadone dose. An alternative is a very slow methadone taper over weeks or months, reducing the dose incrementally while monitoring for withdrawal symptoms. Dr. Agresti works closely with each patient to choose the right strategy given their history, their daily life demands, and their long-term recovery goals.

Our Concierge Approach to Opioid Detox

What distinguishes Dr. Agresti’s opioid detox program from every hospital, detox center, and standard outpatient clinic is the concierge model of care. Here is what that means in practice:

• One flat fee per detox episode — no surprise billing, no escalating charges, no annual membership required.
• Direct cell phone access to Dr. Agresti — not a call center, not a nurse line, not a message portal. You have Dr. Agresti’s personal cell number for the duration of your detox.
• 24/7 availability during acute withdrawal — the first 72 hours of opioid detox are the most critical. Dr. Agresti is reachable around the clock to adjust medications, answer questions, and provide guidance.
• Text messaging for real-time symptom management — describe what you are feeling, and Dr. Agresti responds with specific guidance on dosing adjustments.
• Outpatient convenience — detox in your own home, your own bed, with your own support system. No residential facility, no loss of privacy, no interruption to your family life beyond what the detox itself requires.
• No annual membership — this is not a subscription service. You pay for the care you need, when you need it.

Dr. Agresti’s office is located at 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M-202, Palm Beach, FL 33480. Telehealth appointments are available for patients anywhere in Florida, making this level of care accessible throughout the state.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Options

Following successful opioid detox, ongoing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is often the most important factor in preventing relapse. The brain’s opioid receptors take time — months to years — to fully normalize after chronic opioid exposure. MAT during this period dramatically reduces the risk of relapse and overdose death.

Dr. Agresti offers all three FDA-approved MAT options:

• Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) — a sublingual film or tablet taken daily, combining buprenorphine’s receptor stabilization with naloxone’s abuse-deterrent properties.
• Sublocade (buprenorphine extended-release injectable) — a once-monthly subcutaneous injection that provides stable buprenorphine blood levels without daily dosing. Ideal for patients who want to eliminate the daily medication routine.
• Vivitrol (naltrexone extended-release injectable) — a monthly opioid antagonist injection for patients who have completed detox and want a non-opioid maintenance option that completely blocks opioid effects.

The choice of MAT medication is made collaboratively with each patient, taking into account their history, lifestyle, preferences, and recovery goals. Learn more about Dr. Agresti’s full Medication-Assisted Treatment program and his concierge psychiatry practice. Telehealth prescriptions for MAT are available for qualified patients anywhere in Florida via telehealth.

Start Your Recovery Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid dependence, the most important step is the first one. Dr. Agresti understands the fear, shame, and physical suffering that accompany opioid addiction — and he approaches every patient with the same respect and discretion he would give any medical condition.

Opioid detox does not have to mean a hospital stay, a public treatment center, or a disruption to every aspect of your life. With Dr. Agresti’s concierge outpatient program, you can begin your recovery with the same level of personalized, high-quality medical care that Palm Beach residents deserve.

Schedule your consultation: Call or text 561-760-4107.
After-hours emergency line: 561-386-7743.
Office: 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M-202, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
Telehealth appointments available statewide in Florida.