Opiate withdrawal symptoms refer to the symptoms that occur in an individual when he stops using opiate drugs after a regular and prolonged use. Be it heroin or other drugs, opiates are highly-addictive substances. Withdrawal symptoms are one of the factors that may make opiate detox recovery quite difficult for a patient. The overwhelming effects of opiate withdrawal may be too much to deal with for a patient trying to overcome his addiction.
- Why opiate withdrawal symptoms occur?
Illegal drugs like heroin can cause physical dependence. Using medicine is a great tool to avoid withdrawal symptoms. When chronic opiate use is discontinued, the body is not able to recover immediately and withdrawal symptoms occur.
- What are the common opiate withdrawal symptoms?
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms experienced by opiate addicts when they stop using harmful drugs include:
- anxiety
- insomnia
- sweating
- nervousness
- muscle aches
- agitation
- dilated pupils
- vomiting
- nausea
- diarrhea
- How are opiate withdrawal symptoms managed and treated?
Seeking professional medical help can go a long way when it comes to dealing with withdrawal symptoms resulting from reduced opiate use. A combination of medications and supportive care is used to help a patient deal with withdrawal symptoms during opiate detox. Clonidine and Buprenorphine (Subutex) are two commonly used medications for treating anxiety, sweating, abdominal cramping and other similar opiate withdrawal symptoms. Support groups may also prove to be quite helpful when it comes to opiate detox recovery.
It is important to understand that in severe cases, some of the withdrawal symptoms are unavoidable. However, with professional care they can be effectively managed and controlled. For this reason, enrolling in a reliable drug rehab center may prove to be very useful. The medical professionals working in these centers are well-versed with the latest advancements in medical sciences and fully-equipped to handle all emergencies. The services provided by a reliable drug rehab center may greatly help a person in opiate detox recovery.
Seeking professional medical care will also help you avoid all possible complications that may result from opiate withdrawal. Conditions such as aspiration (vomiting and breathing in stomach contents into the lungs) and dehydration can be avoided with professional medical care provided by a reliable drug rehab center. These centers also check patients for depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders. Some patients may need long-term treatment and enrolling in a drug rehab center is the first and the most significant step in this direction.
