{"id":36516,"date":"2021-04-20T12:22:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T20:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/?p=36516"},"modified":"2021-10-17T05:36:34","modified_gmt":"2021-10-17T05:36:34","slug":"is-opioid-withdrawal-dangerous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastlinerehabcenters.com\/addiction\/is-opioid-withdrawal-dangerous","title":{"rendered":"Is Opioid Withdrawal Dangerous?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

While opioids can treat pain, abusing these drugs can cause addiction and physical dependence. The<\/span> National Institute on Drug Abuse<\/span><\/a> estimates that about 2.1 million Americans abuse opioids. You or someone you know can abuse opioids.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opioid withdrawal syndrome<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Effects of Opioids on the Body<\/b><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Causes of Opioid Withdrawal<\/b><\/h2>\n

Prolonged use of opioids<\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal<\/b><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Early symptoms<\/b><\/h3>\n

You may experience these signs within 24 hours of your last score. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1.       <\/span>Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n
  2.       <\/span>Restlessness<\/span><\/li>\n
  3.       <\/span>Sleep deprivation<\/span><\/li>\n
  4.       <\/span>Runny nose<\/span><\/li>\n
  5.       <\/span>Muscle aches<\/span><\/li>\n
  6.       <\/span>Lacrimation<\/span><\/li>\n
  7.       <\/span>Frequent yawning<\/span><\/li>\n
  8.       <\/span>Excessive sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Later Symptoms<\/b><\/h3>\n

    These symptoms can be more intense than the early ones. They may start a few days after your last score. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n