Opiate drugs, which include heroin and prescription drugs, can begin to produce effects as little as thirty minutes after intake, while the withdrawal symptoms can last for a week or longer. Withdrawal is generally a risky task for any drug, but even more so for opiates due to their addictive nature.
Unassisted withdrawal is not always a life-threatening situation, but when not handled well it can lead to high chances of relapse. Medical detoxes are more likely to help the individual succeed from using the drug, as therapy and medications are under assessment.
Why are opiates addictive?
It is human nature to avoid pain as much as possible, which leads to seeking out medical help when possible, including purchasing painkillers to solve the problem. The problem therefore lies in the addiction to the benefits that the drug gives you.
Opiates enter to save the situation countless times – they are effective in doing this because they alter the way your brain processes pain. They also have another side effect – by altering this perception, they generate a ‘high’ feeling by changing the pleasure and reward centers of the brain.
The CNS (Central Nervous System) that includes the respiratory system, the brain and cardiovascular systems, contains the nerve endings of opioid receptors. These receptors are responsible for sending pain signals to the brain, and opioid drugs block these receptors, resulting in the brain not receiving the signals and bringing pain relief to the user. This also affects the other components of the CNS, so there is lowering of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and breathing, and the increase of pleasant feelings.
The problem here is more serious than you may think – the repeated use of the opioid changes the way the chemistry of the brain operates, therefore leading to dependence on the drug both psychologically and physically. The body stops operating normally without the presence of the drug, resulting in withdrawal symptoms that begin to appear in between dosages or when the person stops consuming the drug for some time.
Opiates are indeed a global issue, not just in the U.S., as between 26 and 36 million people around the world abuse the drug in their various forms according to findings from NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse).
What are some of the signals of opiate withdrawal?
The symptoms may vary from mild to serious, but this is all dependent on how long you have taken the drug, as well as the severity of addiction. In fact, dependency has a link to the time you have experienced the addiction, the specific drug you consume, co-occurrence of a mental health problem, the dosage of the drug, certain environment and biological factors, in addition to underlying medical issues and the method you use to consume the drug.
Environment and biological factors include a family history of drug addiction, highly unsupportive or stressful home life and any previous trauma you have experienced.
The usual withdrawal period also varies among individuals, although it tends to follow a specific timeline. These signs are in early withdrawal and late withdrawal symptoms.
Early symptoms begin within six to twelve hours after you consume the opiate (this mostly applies to short-acting opiates), while it can also start within a thirty-hour time frame, in case of the long-acting opiates.
Short term signs include muscle aches, tearing up frequently, dilation or constriction of the pupils, blurry vision, and increasing states of restlessness, hypertension, insomnia, excessive fatigue, anxiety problems, increasing sweating, running nose, increasing heartbeat, fever and agitation.
Late withdrawal symptoms start as early as 30-72 hours after consumption, and they last for up to a week. They include vomiting as well as nausea, goose bumps, diarrhea, depression and increasing mood swings, craving the drug, and stomach cramps.
Note that psychological symptoms after withdrawal and even during consuming the drug last for more than a week in some instances. This is the reason mental support as well as therapy is also in provision as you go through an opiate detox program. This also ensures that the symptoms and chances of relapse also reduce, and the side effects of withdrawal are also lessened.
Another problem presents itself when a pregnant woman uses opioids or suffers an addiction. When her baby is born, the child often experiences withdrawal symptoms, which may include problems with digestion, dehydration, poor feeding, seizures and vomiting.
How long should withdrawal periods last?
Keep in mind that different drugs stay in the system for various periods, so this also affects the appearance of withdrawal symptoms. For instance, in the case of heroin, your body eliminates it at a faster rate than another opiate such as methadone. Heroin usually takes a day after use, so the symptoms begin showing at least 12 hours after use on average, while methadone can take up to 36 hours to show.
Doctors and health specialists recommend a withdrawal period of at least six months, even though the individual may go through withdrawal symptoms. This phenomenon is ‘protracted abstinence.’ Your healthcare provider or doctor should be able to give you advice about the issue, and discuss ongoing symptoms with you
How do doctors diagnose opioid withdrawal?
Your doctor or health care provider does a physical examination, in addition to inquiring about your symptoms. They also order blood and urine tests to confirm the presence of opioids in your body.
Some inquiries may include precious drug use history as well as medical status, so to get the best treatment you must answer truthfully.
What options are available?
For problems of mild withdrawal, the doctor can prescribe aspirin, Tylenol, or NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as Ibuprofen. In nausea issues, hydroxyzine such as Atarax or Vistaril can assist, and Imodium can help with diarrhea.
For patients with more severity of symptoms, clonidine is helpful as it lessens the symptoms by up to 75%. Note that there is avoidance of rapid detox treatments, as the administration of the opioid-blocking drugs is under anesthesia. This is to avoid the chances of fatality that may occur if it goes wrong.
Final thoughts
Opiate withdrawal should be handled as carefully as possible for the patient, as it can lead to life-threatening consequences when not correctly done. There are options you can explore, but ensure that it is giving you the best chances of recovery.
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