Opiate Withdrawal – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is an Opiate Withdrawal?

Opiate withdrawal refers to a wide range of symptoms that can occur once opioid intake is interrupted or reduced. The amount, length and intensity of the symptoms vary from person to person. For some individuals, it can be a natural process, and for others, withdrawal can be severe. Opiate withdrawal occurs because it takes time for the body to regulate to no longer having the drug in the system.

An opioid is synthetic narcotic works similarly to naturally occurring opiates. These opiate-like substances bind to the opioid receptor sites in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. Once the drugs attach to these receptor sites, they immediately exert their effects. The brain manufactures natural opioids which are responsible for a host of physical responses. Some of these reactions are the decrease in pain, a slower respiratory rate, and sometimes even used to control anxiety or depression. However, the body does not produce the number of opioids needed to manage high levels of pain. Taking prescription or illicit opioids can reduce adverse effects caused by pain, but with an array of dangerous side-effects.

Signs and Symptoms

Opiate withdrawal symptoms can be harsh to surpass if not correctly treated. The fear of going through withdrawal is what keeps many people dependent upon drugs like Heroin and Oxycodone. They don’t want to stop using opiates because they fear a return of pain and withdrawal symptoms that can resemble the worst imaginable flu. Symptoms can affect the individual both physically and emotionally.

An important fact to keep in mind is that different opioids remain in your system for various lengths of time what can affect the withdrawal syndrome onset. The amount of time your symptoms last depends on a combination of factors including frequency and amount of the use, length of the addiction, as well as individual factors like your health and emotional status.

Opiate withdrawal symptoms can include

In most cases, these symptoms can be managed by a specialized medical treatment facility  Opiate withdrawal can be a long and painful process and very hard to get through. For health compromised patients, untreated and unmonitored withdrawal can lead to unnecessary medical complications such as nausea, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure and dehydration. The consecutive loss of fluids & electrolytes can cause abnormal heart rate and low potassium levels, which can lead to blood circulation issues or even a heart attack.

A medically supervised opiate withdrawal in a controlled environment can make the withdrawal much safer and more comfortable. It also provides a much higher chance of success. In the past, opiate-dependent patients had no choice but to undergo conventional detoxification procedures in nonmedical facilities such as a drug rehab; It caused them to suffer through an unnecessary debilitating and sometimes even dangerous withdrawal syndrome.

Opiate Use

Natural opiates are alkaloids found in the opium poppy plant, and examples are morphine, codeine, and thebaine. Semi-synthetic opioids are created from natural opiates and include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone. Fully synthetic opioids include fentanyl, methadone, and tramadol.

People who use opiates for the medical condition can also become physically dependent and require a medical opiate detox. One can take these medications safely over a relatively short period. However, most people become dependent when long-term therapy is needed. This is what makes pain management so tricky. Opiates are prized for their ability to defeat pain. Unfortunately, tolerance, dependence, and addiction can set in, even when the drugs are used correctly.  Once this happens, the body needs more of the drug to experience the same effect. This increases the risk of a drug overdose.

Drug overdose is the leading cause of death in the United States. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reports that 100 people die of a drug overdose daily, and 46 people are due to prescription opioid overdose.

Medical Detox for Withdrawal Treatment

Many opioid withdrawal treatment programs, often rely on “replacement” or “substitution” medications such as methadone, Suboxone ( Buprenorphine) or Subutex. These medications are also opioids and may prolong the length of the opiate addiction. Eventually, people dependent on these drugs will require detoxification. For some, Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) might be safer than street drugs; for others, being completely opioid-free is the best option. Choosing the appropriate medical detox or the best rapid detox center can dictate the quality and efficiency of the opiate withdrawal treatment.

The Waismann Method ® of rapid detoxification has demonstrated tremendous success in getting patients comfortably and safely through opiate withdrawal.  Recognized as the best opiate treatment center in the world, by offering exceptional medical care and individualized assessment.

If you or a loved one is planning to stop taking opiates and have a fear of the withdrawal symptoms side effects, gives us a call today at 310-205-0808. Let us tell you how we can help manage your symptoms and get you through this challenging phase privately and compassionately.

Seeking medical help for an opiate addiction will improve your quality of life, your overall health, reduce the risk of accidental overdose and other related complications. Don’t wait another day, seek help now!