Opiate withdrawal symptoms
Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms: How to Cope
Opiates are incredibly addictive drugs used to treat pain and other chronic conditions. As such, people can develop a physical dependence on opiates, and if these drugs are stopped suddenly, they can experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to intense, and the specific symptoms you experience depend on the amount and length of time taking opiates.
In general, the following withdrawal symptoms are associated with opiate use:
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
- Tearing up
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Cravings for opiates
It’s important to note that opiates can cause physical withdrawal symptoms as well as psychological symptoms. Physical symptoms happen because your body is used to having opiates in its system and it’s no longer able to get the drug. Psychological symptoms are the result of your brain being accustomed to the “high” or pleasurable feelings associated with taking opiates.
When it comes to coping with withdrawal symptoms from opiates, there are a few different strategies you can use to help make the process a little easier. First, it’s important to remember that the symptoms are only temporary and will pass with time. It’s also important to be patient with yourself and practice self-care like eating nutritious meals, getting plenty of rest, and engaging in healthy activities like yoga or meditation.
You can also talk to a doctor or mental health professional to find out if you need any medication to help ease your withdrawal symptoms. They may prescribe something like a benzodiazepine to help reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia during the recovery process. Additionally, supportive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you manage your cravings as well as help you identify patterns of thoughts or behaviors that may be causing you distress.
Finally, if you’re going through opiate withdrawal alone and don’t feel like you can cope on your own, there are many addiction support groups available to help you. These groups offer peer support and can be a great source of comfort and understanding when it comes to overcoming your dependence on opiates.