Taking opiates causes the brain to respond to block out pain while often producing a “high” feeling. These drugs disrupt the brain’s pleasure and reward centers. Stopping use can lead to a myriad of opiate withdrawal symptoms. Increasing pleasant feelings causes a person’s blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate to decrease.
Experts recommend that anyone who wants to overcome the addictive nature of opiates seek treatment in a licensed facility. Serenity Lodge in California partners with a local detox center that helps individuals get through the withdrawal phase and prepare for a fresh start to sobriety.
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What is Withdrawal?
By definition, drug withdrawal is a group of mental and physical symptoms that occur after reducing or completely stopping the intake of those drugs. Each individual experiences a different process and timing of withdrawal. This makes a medically monitored detox program the best start to addiction recovery. Comprehensive addiction programs follow to help a person maintain a sober lifestyle.
Although each person’s experience is different, it takes a similar amount of time for the withdrawal phase to pass. Most people have withdrawal symptoms within the first 12 hours after the last dose of opiates.
During this initial phase, most people have the worst physical symptoms that may last between three and five days. Psychological symptoms also begin during the first phase. While most physical symptoms subside over a 1-2 week period, some mental effects of withdrawal tend to linger.
Types of Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
Using opiates over an extended period of time causes the body to become accustomed to certain effects. Chronic abuse often changes nerve cell structure within the brain, which ultimately leads to an opiate addiction.
The body has negative reactions to a sudden stop of taking the drug. The seriousness and duration depend on how long a person abused opiates. Most people go through withdrawal symptoms in two phases.
The first phase of symptoms may include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive yawning
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Sleeplessness
During the second phase, a person may have diarrhea, abdominal cramps, a rapid heartbeat, vomiting and dilated pupils. Once again, these symptoms are best managed under medical supervision in a detox center.
Effects of Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms on the Body
The brain stem helps to regulate breathing and sleeping. These crucial processes in the body become compromised when a person abuses opiates. The effects can be dangerous or even fatal if a person overdoses on opiates.
One reason a person may become addicted is the effect opiates can have on the area of the brain that controls memory, hormones, emotions, and reward. Pleasure signaling chemicals such as dopamine flood the brain. Repeated use causes the addiction where the drug is the only way a person’s pleasure signals get a boost.
Treatment for Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
Treatment for an addiction to opiates can take on many forms. Going through detox and withdrawal from opiates without medical supervision can be very difficult. Help from addiction treatment professionals not only connects a person to more resources, but it’s also safer.
Also, the chances of completing detox and having a successful, long-lasting recovery improves. Treatment regimens are individualized and may include medications, counseling, and other support as needed.
Some people choose to go to a regular hospital to get immediate help for severe withdrawal symptoms. Typically, this is after they attempt to detox at home. Without a strong support system and medical guidance, at-home withdrawal treatment can be dangerous. Additionally, while it’s certainly better than self-detox, a cold hospital environment can prevent individuals from thriving in recovery.
Receive Private Comprehensive Care for Addictions
Serenity Lodge, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility on 22 acres of land, offers a safe and relaxing environment for anyone addicted to opiates. Our Clients enjoy privacy and a staff dedicated to their complete recovery.
We offer comprehensive care through a partnership with a local detox facility to give Client their first step toward a new beginning. Our treatment center uses evidence-based techniques with the 12-step approach to effectively treat addiction to opiates.
Take the first step and give us a call today. We have beautiful surroundings and amenities such as meditation therapy and nutritional, prepared meals to help ensure you leave your addiction behind.
Whether you struggle with opiates or other substance addictions, Serenity Lodge can help you embrace a new beginning. Call us today at (855) 932-4045.
