What you need to know about opiate withdrawal
Introduction
Opiate withdrawal is a common condition that affects people who have been addicted to opioids. Opiate withdrawal can be debilitating, but it's also possible to detox safely and successfully in the comfort of your own home but also with help from a medical professional if needed. Physical fitness, exercise and wellness can help lessen the harmful effects of opiate withdrawal. Here we'll explore what opiate withdrawal is, how it happens, and what you can do if you're going through this difficult time.
What are opioid withdrawal symptoms?
Opioid withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, but they can be uncomfortable and disruptive. The symptoms of opioid withdrawal vary depending on the type of opioid you are using. For example, heroin users may experience vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps while methadone users may experience insomnia and erectile dysfunction.
Some people experience milder symptoms like restlessness or irritability while some others experience severe depression that requires hospitalization to treat with medication such as antidepressants or medications that lessen anxiety.
What are the most common opiate withdrawal symptoms?
Opiate withdrawal can be miserable for anyone, but it's especially difficult for people who have become dependent. The symptoms of opiate withdrawal are varied and can include:
Restlessness or anxiety
Muscle aches and pains (parasthesia)
Sweating and chills
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea, constipation and stomach cramps
These symptoms may be present even after your last dose of opioid medication has been taken. You should also expect to experience cravings while recovering from an opiate addiction—and these cravings will probably get stronger as the days go by without taking any more drugs.
How long do opiate withdrawal symptoms last?
The length of time the symptoms last depends on the type of drug and dose. The longer you take opiates, the longer your withdrawal will be.
Some people experience withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months after they stop taking their drugs. Others may not experience any symptoms at all until days after they stop using them.
Withdrawal from heroin can be severe, dangerous and life-threatening—even for healthy people who have never taken an opiate before!
Most often, the most intense withdrawal symptoms last between two and ten days.
How quickly will opiate withdrawal symptoms begin after the last dose?
Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually begin within three to 24 hours of your last dose. However, it depends on the type of opiate you're taking and how long you've taken it. For example, someone who took heroin for five years may experience withdrawal symptoms within 72 hours instead of 48 or 72 hours.
Are there any risky complications associated with opiate withdrawal?
The good news is that withdrawal from opiates is not fatal. It's usually pretty uncomfortable and can cause mild to moderate symptoms for up to two weeks after you stop taking the drug.
That said, there are some risks associated with withdrawal:
It may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs treatment. If you have any underlying health issues—like heart disease or diabetes—your doctor may suggest treating those conditions first before trying to wean yourself off opiates completely. This could mean taking medicine as prescribed by your doctor (prescribed medication) or self-treating with natural remedies like hot baths or Epsom salts baths instead of going cold turkey on everything (cold turkey).
Does everyone experience the same type of opiate withdrawal symptoms?
While the symptoms of opiate withdrawal are the same for everyone, they can be exacerbated by certain factors. For example, some people experience more severe symptoms than others. Some may have a much stronger reaction to their drug of choice and therefore experience more intense cravings and withdrawals when taking it away from them.
Some people also seem to react differently to opiate addiction than others. One person may find that their cravings for heroin or prescription opioids disappear entirely once they stop using them; another will still want them even after discontinuation. It's possible that these differences in how one responds could help explain why some people relapse while others do not—but there isn't conclusive evidence yet on this topic (and there probably never will be).
Is there a difference between detoxing off heroin and detoxing off of prescription opioids?
With heroin, you're more likely to experience side effects and withdrawal symptoms. If you're taking prescription opioids, they may not cause the same discomfort.
What's more important: getting off the drug or staying on it? The answer depends on what your goals are for treatment. If your goal is to stop using all opioids altogether, then it's best to do that through detox from heroin or other drugs like methadone or Suboxone (a medication used for treating addiction). However, suppose your goal is reducing how often and how much painkillers are being used without giving up entirely on them (or their benefits).
What can I expect if I go to an inpatient medical detox program for opiates?
If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to detox from an opiate addiction, inpatient medical detox is your best option. Inpatient treatment programs offer comprehensive care that can help you get off opiates safely, quickly and comfortably.
Most people who go through an inpatient program can withdraw from their drugs within 72 hours—and some programs have even seen success with patients unable to achieve this goal on their own. This makes it one of the most successful ways out there when it comes down to considering how long it takes just about anyone else (no matter what you're addicted to) over days or weeks at home alone without any professional help!
What are my options for detox from opiates?
If you're seeking outpatient treatment, there are a few options available. Some hospitals offer medication-assisted therapy (MAT), which involves taking medications such as methadone or buprenorphine to help ease withdrawal symptoms and lessen cravings. Other facilities may provide medical detox, which involves monitoring patients' vital signs and administering IV fluids while they withdraw from opiates.
Opiate withdrawal is manageable with proper treatment.
Opiate withdrawal is a physical and emotional process. It's not fatal, but it can be uncomfortable and challenging to manage. Some medications help ease the symptoms of opiate detoxification and withdrawal, including buprenorphine or methadone for the short-term management of cravings for opioids (a prescription drug used to treat chronic pain).
But you don't have to struggle alone: support groups like Addict II Athlete encourage people with addictions to talk openly about their experiences while undergoing treatment. In addition, many states have access programs that provide free treatment at private clinics in your area—a great option if you're uninsured or unable to afford private insurance coverage for treatment costs related directly or indirectly associated with opiate addiction itself.
You can get through opiate withdrawal by staying hydrated and eating well. Exercise plays a positive role during opiate withdrawal by producing natural chemicals in your brain that will help offset some of the effects of withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or depression. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter with both pain-relieving and mood-enhancing properties, which can aid in improving your outlook while going through opiate withdrawal. Exercise will also help regulate your blood pressure which may be elevated due to opiate withdrawal. The simplest form of exercise is walking, which is a great way to get outside and start moving again if you haven't been physically active recently due to your addiction issue. Yoga is another excellent type of exercise for opiate withdrawal, which also helps decrease stress and often has a calming effect.
Conclusion
Opiate withdrawal is a very important part of recovery from addiction to opiates. It can be managed but can also be dangerous if not done correctly. Do your research and make sure you have the right resources in hand before going through detoxification. Addict II Athlete can help support those needing assistance with opiate withdrawal with our healthy recreation and exercise activities, events, and programs.