How can you deal with withdrawal symptoms at an early stage?

Posted by Jessy Roy on October 21st, 2019

Opiates are drugs often taken by individuals to get rid of pains. They are pain-killers prescribed for the management of pain. Opioids include both opiates (drugs derived from the opium poppy, including morphine, codeine, heroin, and opium) and synthetic opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone. Prescription opioids include - oxycontin (oxycodone), vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen), dilaudid (hydromorphone) and morphine.

In-taking these drugs give a sense of well-being and euphoria and increase the tolerance in one’s body. For getting relief from pain, people become dependent on these opiates and start taking more and more to get the expected effects. As a result, they develop an addiction to these opiates.  Not only painkiller drugs but drugs like heroin also fall into this category.

About opioid withdrawal

Opiate withdrawal is a situation which arises when a particular individual discontinues the drug or reduces the dosage. Withdrawal symptom means the way your body will react once you stop taking these drugs.

If you are thinking of leaving your addiction, make sure that you have your family members or friends support during your withdrawal period. Experiencing opiate withdrawals can be really agonizing and the symptoms are so strong that they can actually kill a person. Therefore, it is always recommended that the family members of the patient or friends must first Google with the keyword “suboxone clinic near me” and try and find out the nearest clinic where they can admit the patient for treatment.

Home remedies for managing opiate withdrawals

Is there any suboxone clinic near me? Before breaking your head to find an answer to this, you can give a try to some of the several options at home.

• Herbs like green tea can remove toxins from your body and enhance immune system. Hence, you can use different herbs at the time of withdrawal.

• Yoga and meditation at this stage reduces nervousness, anxiety and restlessness.

• Taking bath in hot water by adding different essential oils can relax your entire body.

• Keep your body hydrated by increasing the intake of fluids because during withdrawal you can experience diarrhea and vomiting.

• Excessive use of opiate drugs can lead to deficiency of vitamins and minerals in your body. Therefore, at the time of withdrawal you must take different supplements to improve your health.

Withdrawal stages

The stages of withdrawal are categorized as –

• The first withdrawal stage or early withdrawal is related to some physical symptoms that are felt within 36 hours. The symptoms include -  sweating, runny nose, eyes tearing, goose bumps, dilated pupils and involuntary twitching. Some may complain of abdominal pain, back pain, legs pain or may feel extremely hot or cold.

Apart from physical symptoms, people also experience emotional symptoms such as - anxiety, agitation, depression, restlessness or insomnia.

• The second withdrawal stage or late withdrawal is the period between 48 and 72 hours. It is the most aggressive stage where agitation becomes severe accompanied by diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. At this stage one’s body temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate starts increasing.

Preventing withdrawal symptoms at an earlier stage

If you have stopped taking opioid medication, and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it is recommendable to search for “suboxone clinics near me” and get treatment as soon as possible. Doctors are experienced enough to manage your medical regime and help manage symptoms. Prescribed opioid medication must not be stopped suddenly without consulting doctor.

Seeking help from doctors for opioid addictions will improve overall health and reduce the risk of relapse, accidental overdose and other related complications.

Medications prescribed for opioid withdrawal symptoms

Several medications prescribed by doctors for opiate withdrawal symptoms are –

• Benzodiazepines is a medication prescribed to lessen the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.
• Clonidine medication is given to reduce high blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia.
• For curing diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches and muscle pain, imodium AD and acetaminophen can be effective.
• To manage opiate cravings and to prevent relapse naltrexone, methadone or buprenorphine can be useful.

Treatment for opioid withdrawals

When people are in early stage of withdrawal, they may feel very uncomfortable. To avoid this uncomforting situation they may either try to manage the symptoms on their own or continue taking the drugs. But it would be a wise decision on anyone’s part to visit the nearby clinic and get treatment started immediately because medical treatment in a controlled environment will make you more comfortable.

Mild withdrawal is treated with suboxone medication, combination of a milder opioid buprenorphine and an opioid blocker naloxone. If injected it will cause immediate withdrawal and taken orally it will shorten the intensity.

If the withdrawal symptom is more the person may required to be hospitalized. Clonidine is the medication given for reducing intensity by 50%-75%. It is proved to be effective at reducing anxiety, cramping, muscle ache, sweating and so on.