Opiate addiction remains a big problem in the United States, as well as the rest of the world. As people get hooked on these prescription painkillers, they put themselves at risk of fatal overdose, among other terrible adverse effects. If you are struggling with opiate addiction, you will know that withdrawal is a huge obstacle that can keep you from getting better. Withdrawal symptoms, paired with intense cravings for a certain drug, can prevent you from reclaiming a sober lifestyle. And dealing with either of those things is not a walk in the park. That is why so many people get overwhelmed and relapse. But do keep in mind that it’s possible to get through this challenge. Today we’re going to focus on withdrawal, how long it lasts, and what you can expect. Addiction and DependenceOpiates are drugs that are prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Common examples are methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and codeine. The illegal drug heroin is also considered an opiate. They are all derivatives of the opium poppy plant. Long term use and misuse of these substances can lead to addiction and/or dependence. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Addiction is the compulsive use of opiates (or any other substance) even when the user is already suffering from its adverse health effects. They will keep taking more and more of the drug. Dependence, on the other hand, is when the person’s body has adapted to the presence of opiates. It will react negatively if the person stops taking it. It will create withdrawal symptoms. And because the only way to stop opiate addiction is to stop taking the drug, it is inevitable that the addicted individual will go through withdrawal. This is why rehabilitation is necessary—so that medical professionals can help the user get through withdrawal safely.Detoxification and WithdrawalAs you go through the rehab process, you will develop withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms can be dangerous. This is why it is not advisable to self-regulate. Medical professionals can help you deal with (or even counteract) the effects of withdrawal. This is known as the process of detoxification. There is no exact timeline for this process, because it depends on a number of factors. This includes your overall health, the severity of your addiction, your drug of choice, the adverse effects you’re experiencing, and your drug history.Early Stages of Opiate WithdrawalWithdrawal may begin around six to 30 hours after you stop taking the drug. The timeframe may depend on the type of opiate you are addicted to. You may experience symptoms such as muscle pain, body aches, exhaustion, excessive sweating, insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. Others experience runny nose, fever, hypertension, and palpitation. [maxbutton id="2" ]Later Stages of Opiate WithdrawalAround 72 hours after you’ve stopped your opiate intake, the withdrawal symptoms typically worsen. Early symptoms may become more severe. You may encounter new symptoms including nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and even depression. The psychological aspects of withdrawal usually last longer than the physical ones, which is why you’ll need counseling alongside the medical detox.What Should You Do?The best thing you can do right now is look for an addiction treatment center near you. Self-regulation rarely works. And for those who have been taking opiates for a long time, these withdrawal symptoms can even be dangerous. Do not face this problem alone. Addiction treatment can be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on your case and your condition. The combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy can help speed up the recovery time, but in any case, you will need a lot of patience and commitment. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe featured blog post How Long Does Opiate Withdrawal Last? Read more on: RehabNear.me from https://www.rehabnear.me/length-of-opiate-withdrawal/
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Opioids and opiates are both beneficial substances that can help manage pain ranging from moderate to severe. But when a person misuses or abuses their given prescription, things change for the worse. Both opioids and opiates are potent painkillers that can be addictive when taken in high doses. Some people take them recreationally in order to feel better or more relaxed. But doing so is actually dangerous for your health. Not only will you get addicted, you will also experience a number of adverse health effects along the way. So let’s say you or someone you care about got addicted to opioids. How long will it take to get completely detoxified? How does detoxification even work? On this article, we will give you an overview on how addiction treatment works, and how you can recover from opioid addiction or dependence. Opioids and Opiates: What’s the Difference?Before we can understand how detox works, first we have to know the basics of the addictive substances. Opiates are the natural derivatives of the opium poppy plant. Opioids are the synthetic and semi-synthetic derivatives. Other than that, there aren’t a lot of differences between the two, which is why these two terms are often used interchangeably in common usage. In the medical field, opiates and opioids are also known as narcotics. However, in law enforcement, “narcotics” can also refer to any other drug that’s considered illegal, regardless of whether they are opiates or not. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Some opioids are legal provided that they are prescribed by a licensed physician and used strictly within the prescription. It is illegal to manufacture, distribute, and use opioids for non-medical reasons. Some opiates such as heroin are illegal.The Dangers of Opioid Abuse and AddictionTaking high doses of opioids can lead to addiction, tolerance, and dependence. You can tell that a person is high on opioids if they seem sedated, elated, or confused. They may have constricted pupils, they may become constipated, and they can even lose consciousness. Opioid abuse can slow a person’s breathing. Developing physical dependence can be tough. This means that the body has adapted to the drug’s presence, and will therefore react negatively if intake is stopped. The user will experience withdrawal if they attempt to quit opioids. Common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, anxiety, vomiting, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and even respiratory depression. This is what makes detoxification necessary. And this process should be done properly—with the aid of trained professionals. Self-regulation rarely works and is more likely to cause relapse. [maxbutton id="2" ]How Long Does Detox Take?The short answer for this question is that there is no definite time frame. Multiple factors come into play when speaking about opioid addiction treatment—and this applies for every other type of addiction. A proper treatment plan will be made based on the person’s specific needs, their health condition, their substance abuse history, their drug of choice, and many other factors. Addiction treatment may be done as an inpatient or outpatient program. The duration will also depend on the severity of a person’s addiction. If they are physically dependent, their opioid intake will gradually be lowered. This way, their withdrawal symptoms will become easier to manage. Opioid abuse not only has physical health effects but also psychological ones. And that is why the patient also needs to undergo counseling. Methods such as addiction education, meditation, and group therapy can help them learn how to stay sober. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, we can’t say for sure how long it will take to fully detoxify. But you need to start at some point—so start seeking treatment today. Look for a rehab center near you and fight the effects of opioid addiction now. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerHow Long Does it Take to Detox from Opioids? Your Guide to Addiction Recovery was first seen on RehabNear.me from https://www.rehabnear.me/opioid-addiction-recovery/ Opioids are powerful medicines that help relieve pain. They are products that are derived from the opium poppy plant, also known as the Papaver Somniferum plant. Codeine, morphine, Fentanyl, and heroin, are all common examples of opioids. These drugs, except heroin, are sometimes prescribed to help alleviate pain ranging from moderate to severe. They are used for patients that are suffering from cancer pain, surgical pain, and traumatic pain. In some cases, they are prescribed for severe toothaches. The problem with these substances is that they are quite habit-forming. If misused, they can easily get a person addicted. And because of its relaxing qualities, some people use it recreationally. Easily accessible, opiate abuse is a common problem. Not only is it illegal, it can also cause adverse effects on the person’s body. On this article, we will be talking about some of the most common opiates, and focus on how long they stay in a person’s body. Do take note that regardless of type, all these opioids can cause addiction, and will be much harder to recover from without medical assistance. This guide is only for people who have not yet developed physical dependence for opiates. Opiates: Factors That Affect Detection TimeDrug tests are conducted to detect certain substances in the body. The effectiveness of detection depends on what type of drug test is used. However, there are other factors that affect detection time. The type of opiates, the frequency of intake, as well as the quantity taken will determine how much of the drug will be in your system in the first place. The method of administration, whether it is snorted, injected, or taken orally, will dictate the time it takes for effects to kick in. Most prescription drugs come in tablet or capsule form, so opioids are commonly taken orally. This means the drug has to go through the digestive system first. It may take an hour before the effects of the drug could manifest. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Taking opioids intravenously provides a more intense high, and the effects kick in much faster. The drug also exits the system more quickly. However, taking the drug intravenously can cause blood-borne illnesses when using shared needles. Additionally, rate of absorption and the detection time is also affected by the person’s metabolism, body weight, body fat, age, and health condition. If the body is in good health, the drug is excreted quicker.Common Opiates: How Long Do They Stay in Your System?Not all opioids are the same. The detection time varies for every substance. Here’s a guide to some of the most common opioid’s detection time.
Opioid Addiction TreatmentWhile the body could flush out these substances naturally, getting addicted to opioids is another story entirely. It is extremely difficult to overcome physical dependence without medical assistance. If you or someone you love is suffering from opioid addiction, the best you can do is find the right treatment facility. The patient will undergo a medical examination, during which the best treatment plan will be created, based on their specific condition. Their drug intake will be taken into consideration. The patient will most likely undergo detoxification. It is a process that involves gradually lowering the dosage of intake, while managing withdrawal symptoms. They may also be required to undergo behavioral therapy, with an incentivized system that focuses on abstinence. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe above post Opiates: How Long Do They Stay in Your System? is republished from Rehab Near Me from https://www.rehabnear.me/opiates-stay-in-the-system/ OxyContin abuse is not a new topic. Every now and then it becomes part of public consciousness—just like any other substance with addictive properties. But what makes this drug interesting is that it also has legitimate medical uses. The line between pain relief and abuse must be defined in order to avoid addiction and its effects. Today we are going to learn more about OxyContin: what it does, what it is for, and how it works. By understanding this substance, we can learn to use it properly. If your doctor prescribed OxyContin, and you are worried that you might become addicted, you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss everything you need to know about OxyContin. How Does OxyContin Work?Celebrities, athletes, businessmen, and even regular workers can abuse their painkiller prescription. It doesn’t really matter what industry you are in. If your doctor prescribes any type of painkiller, you are at risk of getting addicted. Not that it’s the drug’s fault. It’s up to you to use your painkillers properly by following the doctor’s prescription. OxyContin happens to be very potent. It can cause a fatal overdose if you’re not careful. In fact, some patients suffering from chronic pain will refuse to take OxyContin out of fear of becoming addicted. Even health care providers might hesitate to issue an OxyContin prescription. That’s a pretty bad reputation to have. So what do you do if you end up with a prescription for OxyContin? What is the proper way to use it? How does it work? https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Despite the risks, OxyContin is an effective medication for moderate to severe pain. If used exactly as prescribed, it is also generally safe. Only those who take high doses of the drug are truly at risk of its adverse effects. OxyContin is actually a different form of oxycodone, which is an opioid painkiller. People always put these substances against one another: oxycodone vs oxycontin. But clinical studies show that the two substances are actually the same. They are both pain medications that deal with the central nervous system. The only difference is that oxycodone is the immediate release form—meaning it is usually used for short term pain management. OxyContin is the brand name for the extended release form of oxycodone. It is used for long term pain management. Both drugs work by altering your brain’s perception of pain. Both are opioids. Both of them work in a similar way to bind the opioid receptors in your brain, as well as the spinal cord. But OxyContin should not be taken “as needed”. OxyContin is often prescribed for long term treatment, and is taken every 12 hours. Oxycodone is taken every four to six hours, depending on the severity of the pain. Both drugs will help you by blocking the pain signals to reduce discomfort. Unfortunately, some people will take these prescription drugs for recreational purposes. Some drug abusers misuse this prescription drug by taking more than the total daily dose recommended. This puts them at risk of various adverse effects. OxyContin and oxycodone are abused because of the euphoric sensations they provide. They can get a high that's similar to the effects of drinking alcohol. This can hinder their ability to make proper decisions. This makes them prone to accidents like head injury and traffic incidents. [maxbutton id="3" ] In fact, OxyContin even has street names such as OC, Kicker, OxyCotton, and Hillbilly Heroin. Remember to take your OxyContin exactly as prescribed. Do not take it for longer than you’re supposed to, and do not take double doses to make up for missed dosages. You can easily get addicted to this drug and suffer from serious side effects like respiratory depression, paralytic ileus, low blood pressure, severe constipation, and pulmonary disease. If you or someone you love becomes addicted to OxyContin, look for an addiction treatment center near you immediately. This potent drug can be very dangerous when abused. Talk to your doctor today and find out about OxyContin's drug interactions, and other drug information you can find. They may give you medical advice on how you can deal with any type of pain. They may even recommend other treatment options or alternative treatment for you to consider. In conclusion, OxyContin is one of the best pain medications out there that could help you deal with chronic pain, severe pain, and any other type of pain. But this is only true for prescribed oxycontin that is used properly according to your health care plan provided by your doctor. Otherwise, it can cause drug addiction and effects like respiratory depression. Use it wisely. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe previous blog post How Does OxyContin Work? was first published on https://www.rehabnear.me/ from https://www.rehabnear.me/how-oxycontin-drugs-work/ Drug addiction is a problem. That phrase commonly applies to the individuals who are struggling with it. But it also applies to the people who deal with drug-addicted individuals and society in general. Drug abuse and addiction is a big bundle of problems. In fact, substance abuse is such a common issue that everyone probably knows someone else who is abusing a drug or has been through a similar scenario. It is a social problem, as it has been categorized several times before. But because of the generalization that “drug problem” equals “big problem,” many people often forget just how extreme this situation is. It is a multi-layered dilemma that not only affects the individual who is suffering through it, but also everyone around him. It has several different effects, physical and psychological, short term and long term, and even intrapersonal and interpersonal. Drug addiction affects several aspects of a person’s life, including their health, their relationships, their community, and their own sense of self-worth. Today we are going to discuss the extent of damage that can occur when a person goes too far with their drug abuse. Here are the many problems associated with drug addiction. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Drug DependenceTo start this off, we need to clarify that the extent of damage and the severity of effects that can occur with drug addiction can and will vary from person to person. No two cases are exactly the same. There are many factors that come into consideration, including: the substance abused, the frequency of intake, the dosage taken, the person’s health condition, the length of time spent abusing the drug, their mental health, their rate of metabolism, and whether or not they abuse any other substance. Drug dependence is often compared with addiction, or used as a substitute for the term. The fact is that these are two closely-related things, wherein one may cause the other. Drug addiction involves compulsive use of the drug, or “craving” for the substance. Drug dependence is often the cause (or one of the effects of) addiction. It is the state of being unable to function properly without the drug’s presence. The body has become used to having it in the system, so it forces the body to take more and more just to get the same effects. Quitting abruptly once dependence has developed may cause withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be fatal.Physical Effects: Short Term Health ProblemsWhen speaking about the effects of addiction, one will mostly cover the adverse health effects because they are the most numerous. They can be broken down into two categories: short term and long term effects. On the short term, a drug addicted person may experience sudden changes in appetite, heart rate, mood, and blood pressure. This may lead to heart attack, stroke, overdose, and even death. These intense effects are common for people who frequently abuse larger doses of any drug. The body could not handle the intruding substance and reacts negatively to it. It can affect nearly every organ in the body. It can weaken the immune system, cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even seizures, in some instances.Physical Effects: Long Term Health ProblemsLong term health effects occur for people who have been abusing a certain drug for a significant span of time. Often associated with this type of abuse are conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and even mental illnesses. HIV/AIDS is common for those who use a shared syringe when taking a drug intravenously. This stage is often associated with various behavioral changes, as the person prioritizes obtaining the drug over everything else. Getting high becomes their primary focus. They display aggression, agitation, confusion, or depression when unable to get their dose. Drug addiction and dependence both make it extremely difficult for a person to quit the drug, meaning they keep on abusing it even when health conditions are making them suffer.Psychological ProblemsAddiction causes behavioral changes, because it hijacks the so-called “reward system” of the brain. It brings unbelievable euphoria, flooding the brain with dopamine. It causes cognitive problems, making users unable to recall certain memories, make good decisions, or simply pay attention to important details. Drugs can alter the brain chemistry. This also means that the person more frequently craves the drug. They may display uncharacteristic behavior such as aggressiveness, paranoia, impulsiveness, or loss of self-control. In some of the worst cases, the individual may experience hallucinations or psychosis. Mental illness and drug abuse are sometimes linked with one another. One thing may cause the other in some people. It can cause anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia.Injuries and AccidentsBeyond the health problems lies another thing to be worried about: external forms of danger. Because of the various behavioral changes that a person goes through due to addiction, they may put themselves at risk of injury or even death. The way they behave may be uncontrollable. Their cognitive abilities may be impaired. This becomes particularly dangerous when the person is driving while drugged. They may get into fights, they may harm other people, and even harm themselves in the process. Back in 2000, drug abuse and smoking were connected to around 460,000 deaths.Social ProblemsInjuries and accidents caused by drug-addicted individuals don’t just affect the actual person: they could also harm other people. In cases of drugged driving, they can cause an accident that injures or kills other people on the road. They may engage in criminal activity due to their aggressive behavior. This not only makes them a threat to the people around them, it also puts them on the other side of the law. Drug addiction is a social problem because it also affects the community around the drug abuser. As these things happen, relationships tend to crumble. Friendships get tested, romantic relationships can break, and even families can get torn apart. Hobbies they used to enjoy won’t appeal to them anymore. They won’t even show up to work, and their career suffers in the process. The individual isolates himself from the rest of the world, ignoring responsibilities, avoiding people, and trying to hide their drug use. And the worst part is that they may even refuse help from their loved ones. [maxbutton id="3" ]Pregnancy-Related ProblemsBeyond its effects on the individual and their community, a person abusing a drug may even affect an individual that’s yet to be born. Pregnant women who use illicit drugs may pose various risks for their babies. In some instances, babies are born too small, or too soon, or with birth defects. These children may suffer from withdrawal symptoms, or have behavioral or learning problems in the future.Facing the ProblemAs bleak as this may all sound, recovery is still possible. However, if you are a family member whose loved one is addicted to a drug, you have to remember that you can’t make them sober. You can’t cure addiction. And you also cannot blame yourself for this situation. All you can do is guide them, ask them to get rehabilitated, and then support them in any way you could. It takes a long time to recover from addiction safely. It’s a long and challenging process. Relapse is perfectly normal. But do not accept any behavior that crosses your boundaries. The addicted individual must learn for themselves what the effects of drug addiction are, and how serious their problem is. They must want to recover, or else they will continue abusing the drug. Find a good rehabilitation center near you, and then try to see what happens. Recovering from addiction will most likely involve detoxification or behavioral therapy. Just do your part to support your loved one. You will be doing them a world of good. The rest is up to them. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe featured post The Problem with Drug Addiction: A Guide to All of its Effects is available on RehabNear.me from https://www.rehabnear.me/guide-to-addiction-side-effects/ Opiates come in many forms. There are many substances that can be classified as an “opiate” or an “opioid”. Most of them have medical uses—except heroin, which is enjoyed by recreational users only. But all opiates can be described a certain way. Most of them are powerful pain relievers that are used to alleviate conditions ranging from moderate to severe. They help patients who are suffering from surgical pain, cancer pain, and traumatic pain. They are also prescribed occasionally for severe cases of toothache. All of these opiates are also habit-forming. That means even if you are using them at pharmaceutical doses, they can cause you to get hooked. It is very easy to get addicted to these substances, and so it is important to take utmost care when taking this type of drug. But what are opiates exactly? And what substances are considered as such? We will answer these two questions through this article, and provide a bit more information regarding this type of medicine. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center What are Opiates?As we previously mentioned, opiates are powerful pain relievers. But what truly unifies these drugs is the fact that they are all derived from the opium poppy plant. They are substances that act on opioid receptors in order to produce relaxing effects. Unfortunately, many people also use these drugs beyond their medical uses. Some people abuse this drug, taking it recreationally and getting addicted in the process. This may lead to a number of health problems, both physical and psychological. There are both short term and long term adverse effects to be aware of when someone is actively abusing the drug. These drugs may easily cause a person to develop dependence, particularly when taken in large doses. Prescription opiates often come in tablet or capsule form. Recreational users ingest the drug orally, but sometimes it is snorted or injected directly into the vein for more intense effects. Opiates are sometimes referred to as “narcotics”. It’s worth noting that opioids and opiates are not exactly the same thing, although they are frequently used interchangeably. Opiates are drugs derived from the opium plant, and so are opioids, but the latter also includes synthetic drugs made with opium as an ingredient.Common Examples of OpiatesOpioids include synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs such as hydrocodone, Fentanyl, and oxycodone. Antagonist drugs like naloxone are also included in this classification. The term opiates can cover a huge variety of drugs ranging from codeine to heroin. The following are common examples of opiates: morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, Fentanyl, codeine, heroin, and opium. Nowadays, opioids are often used to refer to prescription drugs. Opiate addiction is a serious problem in the United States because of how easy it is to obtain the drugs.Opiates: Other Medical UsesAlthough they are primarily used for pain relief, opiates have other medical uses. They may help suppress cough, they may help stop diarrhea, and some opiates even help treat addiction. In some cases of opioid overdose, opiates may be used to reverse its effects. They also help treat constipation that was induced by opioids. [maxbutton id="3" ] There are even extremely powerful opiates that are approved only for the use of veterinarians. These ones are used for immobilizing large animals. Although it comes in many different forms, the warning stays the same: do not abuse this type of drug, for they may cause addiction, dependence, and tolerance. Once dependence sets in, it may be difficult to quit using the drug without medical intervention. It is better to be safe, and use these helpful drugs responsibly. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe previous blog post The Many Faces of Opiates: Common Examples of the Substance was originally seen on https://www.rehabnear.me/ from https://www.rehabnear.me/different-examples-of-opiates/ The terms “opiates” and “opioids” are often used interchangeably. But the truth is, they are not completely the same. It is still acceptable to use these two terms in reference to any substance produced from the opium poppy plant. But speaking in medical terms, there’s a huge difference between opiates and opioids. Coincidentally, all substances classified under either category are often referred to as “narcotics”. On this article, we will be discussing the key differences between opiates and opioids, as well as the factors that make them similar. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Opiates and Opioids: The SimilaritiesBoth opiates and opioids are used as pain relieving medicine. They could help treat patients that are suffering from any kind of pain, ranging from moderate to severe. They are often prescribed to help treat cancer pain, surgical pain, and traumatic pain. In some instances, they are used for toothaches. These substances are powerful, and regarded as some of the most efficient pain relievers in the medical industry. They are used when over-the-counter pain relievers don’t provide enough relief. When stronger medications are needed, opiates and opioids are used. Both opiates and opioids affect the way the brain perceives pain. It does not make the pain go away, it makes the body unable to detect it. They latch onto molecules on certain nerve cells in the brain known as opioid receptors. By attaching to these nerve cells, opiates and opioids are able to alter the severity of the pain that the patient is experiencing. As a result, pain is reduced. The problem is that these substances are quite habit-forming. Because of their relaxing qualities, many people abuse these drugs and get addicted in the process. This is because both opiates and opioids could affect the way the brain feels pleasure. Do not use these drugs recreationally. If your doctor prescribes an opiate or an opioid, do not take it for longer than is needed, and do not take larger doses than is recommended. Developing dependence is very easy—and presents various health risks for abusers.Opiates and Opioids: The DifferencesBoth substances are derived from the opium poppy plant. But opiates are considered “natural pain remedies”. The keyword here is “natural,” meaning all drugs made directly from the source is considered an opiate. Opium is a strong pain reliever on its own, and many other drugs are made from it. Common examples of opiates are morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opium itself, because of its natural state, is considered an opiate. It is also worth noting that heroin is one of the few opiates that have no approved medical uses. Opioids, on the other hand, are considered synthetic pain medications. Opioids are a generalized term for synthetic and semi-synthetic medicines that have opium as a key ingredient. They are manufactured in a similar way to opiates, and have very similar molecules. They work similarly, and interact with the body in much the same way. Common examples of opioids are methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, pethidine, hydromorphone, and Fentanyl. You may have encountered some of these prescription drugs under certain brand names. Oxycodone is known as Percocet, Percodan, and OxyContin. Hydrocodone goes by trade names such as Vicodin, Lortab, and Lorcet. Fentanyl is also known under the trade name Duragesic.Opiates and Opioids: Addiction and TreatmentWhen used properly, these medications are not likely to cause addiction. But if a person takes a much higher dose than is recommended, they may find themselves craving for the drug. Tolerance begins to develop with frequent substance abuse. The body could no longer experience the same level of relief, even with the same dosage. This soon escalates into addiction, because the user’s instinct tells them to take more. [maxbutton id="2" ] Opioid withdrawal is not life-threatening, unless the individual is also abusing another substance such as alcohol. This means that a person can potentially self-regulate and recover from their addiction by gradually lowering their own intake of the substance. But it is still highly recommended that the patient goes through rehabilitation, so as to prevent the possibility of relapse. With the right treatment plan, they can get educated on the dangers of drug addiction; get emotional support from trained professionals; and have their withdrawal symptoms managed. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe Difference Between Opiates and Opioids: A Simple Guide is republished from Rehab Near Me from https://www.rehabnear.me/a-simple-guide-to-opiates-and-opioids/ The problem of opiate abuse is still as serious as ever, with more than 12 million people in the United States reportedly using prescription painkillers recreationally. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, and morphine are among the most commonly abused drugs in this category. And though these drugs are beneficial when used for treating pain, they can also produce adverse effects for those who misuse them. If your doctor prescribes an opiate, remember to follow their prescription carefully, because these drugs are habit-forming. People can easily develop dependence for these substances. Various health problems can manifest due to opiate abuse. The bigger problem is addiction. Once a person is addicted, it can be extremely difficult to recover without medical assistance. Withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, and often cause users to relapse. If you or someone you love is suffering from opiate withdrawal, this article can help provide the information needed to ease the various symptoms. Remember that medical assistance is still necessary if the individual wants to get off the drug in the long term. But if withdrawal symptoms are unbearable, you can treat them at home while looking for the best treatment facility for the patient’s condition. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Opiate WithdrawalWhen a person becomes dependent on the drug, it means their body has already grown used to the drug’s presence in the system. It begins reacting negatively to the absence of opiates, causing withdrawal symptoms of various intensities. Opiates are unlike most illicit substances, however. Unless the person is also abusing another substance, opiate withdrawal is not normally life threatening. Also, it should be noted that you should not try going through opiate withdrawal at home if you have diabetes or a preexisting heart condition. It is still best to seek medical assistance. If you quit using opiates after developing dependence, you will likely experience uncomfortable symptoms. They can be hard to manage, so be sure to do so with the help of your family members or close friends. Do not attempt it alone. Some of the opiate withdrawal effects may even cause serious health complications. The intensity of such effects will depend on the person’s level of dependence.Common Opiate Withdrawal SymptomsOpiate withdrawal may occur in two phases. During the first phase, the individual may experience muscle aches, agitation, anxiety, teary eyes, runny nose, restlessness, excessive sweating, and also excessive yawning. The second phase may involve symptoms such as diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. These two phases may last anywhere from a week to a month. After these initial phases, long term withdrawal symptoms may manifest. These latter effects are less physical, and more psychological. The individual may experience behavioral changes during this time.Easing Opiate Withdrawal SymptomsIf you really want to go through withdrawal using home remedies, you’ll need to be prepared. Do not quit the drug abruptly. It is better to detox by gradually lowering your intake. You will need to manage your own withdrawal symptoms. However, keep in mind that addiction is a condition that makes you act more compulsively. This means self-regulating your intake may be harder than it sounds. It can cause you to relapse. During this detoxification, vomiting and diarrhea are common. They could lead to serious complications due to dehydration. Drink plenty of hydrating fluids to prevent this. There are certain over-the-counter medications that can help with this problem. Loperamide (Imodium) may work well against diarrhea. For people experiencing nausea, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) may help. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used to treat body aches and pains. Just remember not to take any medication in higher doses or for longer than is recommended. You do not want to add any more complications to your current situation. Withdrawal may last for a while, but if you don’t think you are getting any better with home remedies, discuss the problem with your doctor.Helpful RemindersFinding the right rehabilitation facility can speed up your recovery significantly. It doesn’t need to be an inpatient treatment unless your condition calls for it. Many treatment centers offer outpatient treatment, so you can stay at home with the people you love while you’re focused on recovering. This will involve frequent visits to the hospital. Stay comfortable and safe. Withdrawal symptoms may cause you to act irrationally, but try not to get yourself or anyone around you in danger. Keep your mind occupied with your other hobbies. Read a book, watch a movie at home, stay in bed, and avoid other distractions. [maxbutton id="3" ] Inform the people around you that you are attempting to ease the withdrawal process. Get their support and have them check on you every now and then. Stay hydrated and well-rested. This may be a challenging situation, but recovering from opiate addiction is worth the hard work. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerSelf-Help: Easing Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms at Home is courtesy of https://www.rehabnear.me/ from https://www.rehabnear.me/opiate-withdrawal-at-home/ Opioids are helpful medicines that can alleviate pain. Almost all of the medicines classified as opioids have medical uses, except heroin. These drugs can help patients suffering from cancer pain, surgical pain, and traumatic pain. In some cases, it is prescribed for the treatment of toothaches. But while these powerful drugs are considered beneficial, they also come with a certain degree of risk. Even at pharmaceutical doses, these drugs can be quite habit-forming. That means there’s a higher chance that the person using it could develop dependence. Opiates are often used recreationally as well. And because recreational use of the drug involves much larger doses than is necessary, users put themselves at risk of various adverse health effects. Not counting these negative effects, opioids may also cause addiction, overdose, and withdrawal effects. This article will primarily talk about the withdrawal symptoms that are associated with opiates. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment center Common OpioidsOpioids are substances that are derived from the opium poppy plant. They go by a variety of names including opiates and narcotics. Common opioids include codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, Fentanyl, and hydromorphone. Vicodin and Hycodan are brand names for hydrocodone. Oxycontin and Percoset are brand names for oxycodone. Lastly, Duralgesic is one of the brand names for Fentanyl.Opioid Withdrawal: What You Need to KnowOpioid withdrawal is a difficult challenge for anyone who is going through it. It can be very uncomfortable. However, it is good to know that opioid withdrawal is not life threatening—unless the person is abusing other drugs aside from opiates. There are many substances that produce dangerous withdrawal symptoms. In the worst cases, they may cause death. Opiate withdrawal symptoms won’t be fatal, but would still be distressing, to say the least. When a person tries to quit the drug, they feel anxious, irritable, and agitated. They may have low energy, but they won’t be able to sleep comfortably. Depression is also a common sign of withdrawal. They may also experience muscle aches, muscle pains, fever, hypertension, runny nose, teary eyes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These effects occur because the body has already grown used to the drug’s presence. It reacts violently when it doesn’t get enough of the drug. Throughout the duration of these effects, the person will experience strong cravings for the drug. This often forces people to relapse. These withdrawal symptoms may last for up to a few months, especially if the person abused the opiates for a long time before quitting. Keep in mind that the intensity of these symptoms will vary from person to person. The dosage taken, the frequency of drug use, the person’s health condition—all of these play a part in the withdrawal symptoms that follow. Psychological support through therapy is very important at this stage, because willpower alone won’t be enough to resist the drug cravings. The withdrawal symptoms are also hard to ignore. If the patient does not want to relapse, proper medical attention is required.Treatment for Opioid AddictionAn addicted individual can still recover. It is important to do so properly. The first step towards recovery is accepting that you need help. Convince the addicted individual to accept your support, and be there for them throughout this challenging journey. You can take the initiative to find the right rehabilitation facility for them. There are several treatment options available for the removal of opioids from the body. And a well-equipped medical facility will be able to form the best treatment plan based on the patient’s specific needs. Detoxification is often employed for these scenarios. The patient is slowly taken off the drug by gradually reducing their intake. Their withdrawal symptoms will be managed accordingly. This method makes use of both pharmacological and psychological treatment to get the desired results. This detox will be performed under the close supervision of medical professionals. It may be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting, again depending on the person’s condition. Inpatient treatment allows the opiate addicted individual to gain access to round the clock medical care. They are provided a safe environment where they can focus on getting better. Outpatient treatment allows the patient to stay with their family during the detox period, but involves scheduled visits to the hospital. It gives them the chance to recover while remaining in the care and guidance of the people who love them the most. Opiate withdrawal may be very uncomfortable, but medical detox provides the safest and most effective way to get through it. [maxbutton id="2" ] In addition to the medical attention that the patient will receive in a rehab facility, there will also be mental health professionals that will evaluate and guide the individual during the process. There is no specific timeline for the detox period. But once the person recovers, there will be a much lower chance of relapse. They will be educated on the negative effects of drugs, and they will be taught on how to readjust with their sober life. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe previous blog post Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms: The Importance of Proper Detox is republished from www.rehabnear.me from https://www.rehabnear.me/opioid-detox/ Opioids and opiates can affect the mind. This is not something to be worried about, because that’s how these substances work. They are helpful medicines that could relieve pain ranging from moderate to severe. They are prescribed for cases in which over-the-counter medicines did not do much to alleviate the patient’s pain. So it’s not surprising that these drugs can affect the mind. But what exactly does it do to the brain? How do opiates and opioids work? How do they achieve the pain relieving effects that they provide? Today we’re going to discuss how opiates and opioids affect the brain. Opiates: A Powerful Pain RelieverOpiates and opioids alike affect the way the brain perceives pain. For this reason, it is used to treat cancer pain, traumatic pain, surgical pain, and even some cases of toothache. These substances, derived from the opium poppy plant, do not make the pain go away. They simply make the body unable to detect it. Opiates attach onto the molecules on certain nerve cells in the brain called opioid receptors. By latching onto these nerve cells, they are able to alter the severity of the pain that the pain is experiencing. For patients, pain is reduced. But for those who are abusing opiates and are using it without experiencing pain, what they feel instead is a sense of euphoria. Because of their relaxing properties, people easily get addicted to these substances. The reason opiates are habit forming is because they affect the way the brain feels pleasure. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerOpiates: Short Term Effects on the Human MindBecause of its addictive nature, one can expect various short term effects that can manifest from abusing opiates. A recreational user of these drugs put themselves at risk of various psychological changes within the span of just a few weeks. MRI scans on people misusing morphine, for example, have shown reductions in the volume of their gray matter. The reduced volume of gray matter affected parts of the brain that were in control of pain, emotions, and regulation of cravings. Opiates also affect the brain by slowing the central nervous system. While this may produce relaxing effects on the user, it also causes respiratory depression. People who take opiates in larger doses have a higher risk of experiencing overdose. In the worst cases, an overdose may cause a person’s respiration to stop completely. While the benefits of opiates from a medical perspective are fast-acting and beneficial, the dangers are also quite high for people who take too much at a time. The way these substances affect the brain receptors could create adverse effects that would take months or even years to recover from. Dependence and addiction are two of the worst effects that opiates can produceOpiate Dependence and AddictionOpiates and opioids are two terms that are often used interchangeably. But opiates are natural substances like morphine and heroin, while opioids can include synthetic and semi-synthetic substances like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Similarly, there’s a difference between addiction and dependence, although they are sometimes used alongside one another. Dependence occurs when the body develops tolerance to a certain drug. This means that the body is now requiring increasingly higher doses just to get the same effects. Once dependence has developed, a person will likely experience withdrawal upon attempting to quit. Addiction is the compulsive use of a drug, even though it is producing adverse effects. It is associated with the breakdown of interpersonal relationships. The person begins prioritizing the drug over everything else. Careers, friendships, and families are affected. In both cases, the person’s mind and body suffers. Addiction happens because of opiates’ interaction with the brain’s reward center. The user feels pleasure, and the brain immediately associates it with taking the drug. Repeated use is a huge possibility, even when dependence hasn’t set in. But once dependence sets in, the person’s body begins tolerating the drug’s presence. The mind is convinced to act normally when the drugs are present in the system. And so, it reacts negatively when the individual does not take its normal dosage. Opiate abuse may affect the mesolimbic reward system, which prevents the user from experiencing pleasure from activities they once enjoyed. Former hobbies would stop being appealing. The individual loses interest in eating, sex, and other activities. Obtaining more of the drug becomes a top priority.Other Mental Effects of Opiate AbuseAside from affecting the number of gray matter in the brain, long term abuse of opiates—heroin, in particular, can cause the white matter in the brain to deteriorate as well. This may lead to permanent behavioral problems, as the individual becomes unable to regulate their own behavior. Chronic opiate abusers have also been found to have a high risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder. The good news is that opiate abusers can still get on the path of recovery. Finding the right treatment facility with the best rehabilitation program can help them get sober again. [maxbutton id="3" ] They will likely undergo detoxification, during which their intake of the drug will gradually be lowered, while their withdrawal symptoms are managed by medical professionals. Behavioral therapy is also effective for preventing relapse in the long term. The addicted individual will be educated, and they will learn how to readjust to life once they have gotten sober again. With enough support, the individual suffering from opiate addiction or dependence can live a normal life once more. https://www.rehabnear.me for the best drug addiction treatment centerThe above article Opiates: How Do They Affect the Human Mind? See more on: www.rehabnear.me from https://www.rehabnear.me/opiates-affect-the-human-mind/ |
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