Opiate Withdrawal
Managing Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms in Detox
There are many addiction treatment options available to you, but you must take the first step toward recovery and call our free helpline now. Call 1-866-99-DETOX (1-866-993-3869), and we'll help you find the help you need to manage your opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Opiate withdrawal symptoms often occur after the discontinuation of opiate use once an addiction has developed. Opiate addiction is recognized as a central nervous system disorder caused by continuous opiate use. Extended opiate abuse leads to the nerve cells in the brain to stop functioning as they normally would and stop producing natural endorphins. Because the body is receiving opiates and is no longer producing endorphins, the nerve cells start to degenerate and cause an opiate addiction.
Sudden opiate withdrawal (quitting cold turkey) leads to a syndrome called opiate withdrawal syndrome. Opiate withdrawal syndrome is a long and painful process and can result in permanent damage to the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system. Untreated and unmonitored opiate withdrawal can result in death for unhealthy patients. For these reasons, opiate addiction requires appropriate and responsible medical care in a detox program.
Opiate Withdrawal Syndrome and Pain Management
Both Percocet and Vicodin are opiates that are commonly prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain. In fact, many of the people who enrolled in an opiate detox program reported that they had been given such drugs by their physicians. Athletes who have suffered injuries on the courts or who have pulled a muscle at the gym may be given prescription drugs for opiates as well as people who have been victims of car accidents or those recovering from surgery.
Percocet, OxyContin, Lortab and Vicodin are often prescribed to manage pain, but not everyone fully realizes how addictive these drugs can be. Unconsciously, patient may begin taking larger doses, taking the drugs more frequently than prescribed, or taking them for a longer period of time than the doctor had advised, creating an opiate addiction.
If an addiction develops, sudden discontinuation of drug-use will lead to opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal symptoms continue to be the greatest obstacle people experience in opiate detox programs. Opiate withdrawal symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Muscle aches
- Hot and cold flashes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
The above opiate withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, but are extremely uncomfortable. The intensity of the reaction depends on the dose and speed of opiate withdrawal. Short-acting opiates, like heroin, tend to produce more intense but briefer symptoms. These opiate withdrawal symptoms can be effectively managed in a medically supervised opiate detox program.
Opiate Detox Programs Help Manage Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
It is difficult at best to detox from an opiate addiction without a drug detox program. The opiate withdrawal symptoms are too severe to go through on your own, which will often lead to a return to opiate addiction. A quality opiate detox program should be a medically based program complete with 24-hour nursing, 24-hour addiction treatment staff and a physician trained in addiction medicine (A.S.A.M. certified). The opiate detox program should be J.C.A.H.O. accredited and located within an addiction treatment program or drug rehab. The vast majority of people entering an opiate detox program will require ongoing addiction treatment. Having the detox program located within the drug rehab allows for a seamless transfer into further addiction treatment.
While there are many types of opiate detox programs ranging from rapid detox programs to outpatient detox programs, the key for most people managing opiate withdrawal symptoms is medical supervision, structure, and accountability.
If you require help in locating a safe and effective opiate detox program to help manage your opiate withdrawal symptoms, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 1-866-99-DETOX (1-866-993-3869). Addiction treatment professionals are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential.
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