According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 2.1 million people in the United States of America and nearly 36 million people worldwide abuse opioids. These statistics grow daily. Opioids are a class of drugs used to relieve pain. These drugs are made up of opiates, prescription opioids, and synthetic opioids. Some examples of this class of drugs include morphine, methadone, heroin, oxycodone, codeine, Vicodin, and hydrocodone.
Although opiates are effective for helping to manage and relieve pain, using them over a long period can lead to tolerance and dependence. Once an individual has formed a tolerance for this drug, stopping can be very hard. Most of those struggling with opiate addiction experience severe opiate withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using. An opiate detox center provides around-the-clock care so each individual can overcome withdrawal and start on the path to recovery.
What Makes Opiates Addictive?
Opioids are prescribed to ease pain. The brain can also manufacture its own opioids, which are responsible for reducing respiratory rate, decreasing pain in the body, and even suppressing anxiety. However, the amount of opioids produced by the brain is not enough to alleviate certain levels of pain, and that’s why opioids are prescribed.
After using opioids for a long time, an individual can grow dependent on them, making them consume more and more of the drugs. Once an individual becomes dependent, when they try to stop, their body responds to the absence of the drug with withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of Opiate Withdrawal
When you try to stop opiate usage, the second day is usually the hardest. These withdrawal symptoms will last between five to 10 days. Opiate withdrawal symptoms vary from moderate to severe. Depending on how long and how much a person has been consuming, the earliest withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Muscle aches
Within 72 hours, more intense opiate withdrawal symptoms will show, such as:
- Cramping
- High blood pressure
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
Treatment for Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
To evade the discomfort that appears when they stop the intake of opiates, some individuals may continue using. No matter the signs of opiate withdrawal you experience, it’s best managed by a professional. Treatment in a medically assisted environment can help you recover rapidly. Based on the level of your withdrawal symptoms, there are drugs available, but these should only be prescription-based.
Mild withdrawal can be managed with aspirin, ibuprofen, and Tylenol. Rest and fluid intake can also help manage these symptoms. If you’re experiencing nausea, Vistaril and Atarax can help. More severe symptoms may require hospitalization and constant medical attention. Clonidine is used for inpatient treatment, and it works at reducing intense withdrawal. Methadone is another opioid that can be used to reduce withdrawal symptoms, but this should be done in a controlled environment. Naloxone is an opioid blocker that can be used to prevent constipation.
How to Avoid Opioid Addiction
Although opioids are needed to treat pain, you should be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage. You should speak to a medical professional before the usage of an opioid and possibly discuss alternatives. You must also develop a level of discipline to prevent dependence on drugs.
Get Help at Ethan Crossing of Cleveland
When it comes to managing opiate withdrawal symptoms, an opiate detox center is a great option. Once your body grows dependent on an opiate, it becomes difficult to discontinue its use. This is exactly why you need help to recover. Trying to manage the symptoms of opiate withdrawal yourself is dangerous.
Recovering from opioid use is a long journey, but help is available at Ethan Crossing of Cleveland. Our full continuum of care from detox to aftercare promotes long-term recovery. We understand the varying signs of opiate withdrawal, and we can help you recover from any symptoms. You can contact us online or at 855.967.2436 to learn more about all our programs, services, and therapies.