Opiates are a class of narcotics derived from the poppy plant. They cause depressive effects and are also known to cause addiction---a brain disease that affects multiple areas of the brain involved in learning, memory, reward and inhibition, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Withdrawal from opiates can be extremely painful but is rarely life-threatening, says Drugs.com, making detox at home an option if necessary.
Research the Withdrawal Process
Addiction is an extremely complex disease that varies between drugs and individual users. The best way to prepare for withdrawal, especially if done at home, is to learn as much as possible in preparation. Although books, brochures and articles provide some information, they are often cursory and don't address specific user groups. Those types of sources are good places to start, but governmental agencies like NIDA and organizations like Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery usually offer the most reliable resources. However, the best possible way to learn about opiate addiction still remains talking to a trained medical professional, especially if they are specialized in treating people who have grown dependent on a drug.
Allow Ample Time for Recovery
Withdrawal from opiates may start as early as 12 hours after the last time used. The duration of withdrawl symptoms varies largely on the type of opiate used. It is a good idea to organize the period of withdrawal so it occurs at a time when the patient does not have to go to work or take care of similar affairs. The period of withdrawal should be a time of rest. Sleeping much of the time is a good idea, since it helps the body to recover and takes the mind away from withdrawal symptoms.
Alleviate Symptoms
Many symptoms caused by opiate withdrawal resemble the flu and other common conditions. So much so that some addicts who are experiencing withdrawal actually believe what they are going through is a simple case of the flu and don't crave for the drug, says Drugs.com. The website also lists things like trouble sleeping, runny nose, weakness, increased activity of the tear canals, diarrhea and nausea as symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Luckily these can be managed with the use of over-the-counter medicine and traditional cold remedies. Buying medication, healthy fluids and vitamin C might help ease the symptoms of withdrawal.
Seek Professional Help
Many opiate addictions can be managed with proper help and training. Drugs like methadone and buprenorphine are highly successful and proven safe in managing opiate withdrawal, says NIDA. Unfortunately, most opiate addicts never receive this kind of help. For example, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, only 20 percent of all heroin addicts in 1999 received methadone treatment for their addiction.
Prevent Relapse
All the hard work withdrawing from opiates is for naught if an ex-drug addict relapses and resumes use. Relapse remains a big problem with opiate withdrawal, with the average opiate addict relapsing from 10 to 25 times during his life, says AddictionSearch.com. Relapse-Prevention.org offers an extensive list of things that may increase the risk that a clean user will relapse. Some of those risk factors include spending time around old friends and places that an addict associates with his past addiction, keeping any substances that may possibly be used illicitly, and feeling too confident or having too little confidence. Although these examples may sound like common sense, it is a good idea for anyone thinking of attempting detox to review the list.
