Medical practitioners often prescribe opioids to manage pain. Opioids include opiates and synthetic opioids. Opiates are drugs obtained from the opium poppy, such as opium, heroin, codeine, and morphine. Synthetic opioids are drugs manufactured in the lab, such as oxycodone, methadone, and hydrocodone.
While opioids can treat pain, abusing these drugs can cause addiction and physical dependence. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that about 2.1 million Americans abuse opioids. You or someone you know can abuse opioids.
Opioid addicts can develop withdrawal symptoms if they stop or reduce the opioids they take. One is likely to develop these signs if they use many behavior opioids or abuse them for an extended period. Opioid abuse changes one's body functions, and they experience withdrawal symptoms as their bodies get used to functioning with no opioids.
Opioid withdrawal syndrome can be dangerous. It can cause many uncomfortable symptoms that can be life-threatening. The withdrawal can be moderate, mild, severe, or moderately severe. It may be best to detox from opioids in a professional detox facility to manage withdrawal with no challenges.
The body produces its opioids. These substances have various effects, such as lowering one's respiratory rate, decreasing pain, and preventing depression and anxiety. The body's opioids may not be enough, and people can take opioids to get extensive effects.
The opioids attach themselves to the opioid receptors in the spinal cord, brain, and gastrointestinal tract. You'll experience their effects once this process happens. Prolonged use increases your tolerance level, and you need more opioids than the body produces to get the same effects. This dependence causes addiction and withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking opioids.
Prolonged use of opioids makes your body reliant on them. You'll need them to get the same effects or function. The drugs change how your brain's nerve receptors work, and they become dependent on the opioid to function. Once you stop taking opioids, you experience withdrawal symptoms as your body returns to its normal functioning.
The withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and life-threatening. One is likely to continue using opioids to stop them. The return to opioids can lead to an overdose.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms' severity depends on the extent of one's withdrawal. Other factors may also dictate the length of the opioid withdrawal syndrome. People experience it differently. However, we can draw some patterns from their experiences.
You may experience these signs within 24 hours of your last score. They include:
These symptoms can be more intense than the early ones. They may start a few days after your last score. They include:
These symptoms are unpleasant. They can be less intense after 3–10 days.
Babies whose mothers are opioid addicts can develop withdrawal symptoms. They may have these signs:
« Seizures
« Digestive issues
« Dehydration
« Poor feeding
« Vomiting
Opioids can remain in your body for different periods. Their presence affects withdrawal onset. Your opioid withdrawal syndrome's duration depends on your addiction's length, the dose of opioids abused, the type of opioid, and your overall health. Get professional opioid addiction treatment to manage these symptoms.
Opioid withdrawal has four stages.
A physician can diagnose opioid withdrawal in various ways. They can ask questions about your opioid addiction or administer a physical exam. Blood and urine tests may also help them check opioids' presence in your body. Their presence can explain any flu-like symptoms or other signs that may be difficult to understand.
A licensed physician can use medical-assisted treatment to manage your opioid withdrawal symptoms. These medications can help you overcome uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms without relapsing. The specialists use their skills to manage the withdrawal to ensure you don't replace opioid addiction with another substance use disorder.
Some drugs used to manage opioid withdrawal are:
Professional guidance is essential before using these drugs. The specialist controls your intake to avoid dependence. They may also replace any medication that isn't helpful. If you have any issue in your medical history that can affect the drug's efficacy, the physician will note it and take the essential steps.
Complications during opioid withdrawal can include:
You may also experience other symptoms or complications that aren't on this post. It is advisable to detox from opioids with help from addiction specialists. They will guide you through the detox and manage your withdrawal to ensure it is not dangerous.
Opioid addiction is a problem affecting many people. These individuals can experience withdrawal symptoms once they quit using opioids or reduce their intake. The withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and life-threatening. One is likely to relapse and overdose if they experience severe opioid withdrawal syndrome.
Coastline Behavioral Health offers reliable and affordable drug addiction treatment in Orange County, California. We treat various issues, including opioid addiction, alcohol abuse, and dual diagnosis. Our specialists manage these conditions via our inpatient, outpatient, and luxury rehab programs. If you are experiencing opioid withdrawal, our experts can help you manage the symptoms and overcome addiction safely.
Contact us at (714) 841-2260 to discover more about our programs.