Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal usually begins a few hours after a person dependent on opioids stops using the drug or significantly reduces the dose. Several variables, including the specific opioid used, dose, duration of use, and individual characteristics, affect the course of opioid withdrawal.
Causes of Opioid Withdrawal
The body adjusts to the presence of opioids and changes the production of particular brain chemicals when a person becomes physically dependent on opioids.
A person’s body cannot produce the same quantity of these chemicals when they stop using opioids or significantly reduce their dosage, causing a chemical imbalance that results in withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal can also be brought on by opioid blockers like naloxone, which are frequently used to treat opioid overdose.
Common Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal
While the withdrawal effects of opioids can be painful, they can also be unnoticeable in between doses. The following are some things to watch out for.
- Constant digestive issues such as stomach pain, constipation, and vomiting.
- Dilated Pupils
- Restlessness and trouble sleeping
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Flu-like symptoms that last a long time
- Slurred speech
- Sudden weight loss
Prolonged opioid withdrawal can lead to extreme dehydration and seizures if left untreated.
That is why medically assisted withdrawal is the most secure way to overcome addiction.
National Addiction Specialists use the clinical opioid withdrawal scale (COWS Score) to determine the severity and level of opioid withdrawal using the eleven most common opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms, which are as follows:
1. Resting Pulse Rate (BPM)
2. Sweating
3. Restlessness
4. Dilated Pupils
5. Gastrointestinal Upset
6. Bone and Joint Aches
7. Runny Nose/Tearing
8. Tremors
9. Yawning
10. Anxiety or Irritable
11. Gooseflesh Skin
Treatment for Opioid Withdrawal
There are several treatments available to help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and make the process more bearable. This could involve
1. Using drugs like buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and vivitrol to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings
2. Some people may benefit from counseling, behavioral therapy, and support groups. These therapies might be helpful in assisting patients get over their addiction.
It's important to understand that treating opioid withdrawal symptoms is just the beginning of the road to recovery. Suboxone as a medication won't be enough to help you recover permanently. It should be used in combination with ongoing treatment, such as a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, which combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to maintain long-term opioid abstinence.
Suboxone Maintenance for Opioid Withdrawal
Suboxone is often used as a maintenance treatment for opioid addiction, which means it is taken on a daily basis to help minimize cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It may also aid in the prevention of relapses. It is normally prescribed and administered by a specialist under the supervision of a physician.
Suboxone is a drug that combines buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication that works on the same brain receptors as heroin and oxycodone. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, has a reduced risk of overdose and addiction than other opioids. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can be used to reverse an overdose by neutralizing the opioid’s effects.
Some people have been discouraged from getting effective treatment for opioid addiction due to misconceptions about the use of suboxone for opioid addiction. Let’s take a look at some of the misconceptions and the resources available to anyone interested in learning more about suboxone addiction treatment with the 8 myths about using suboxone to treat opioid addiction.
Detoxification or Medically Supervised Opioid Withdrawal
Certified Suboxone doctors can use detoxification or medically supervised withdrawal for patients who self-administer opioids and those receiving opioid agonist treatment (e.g., methadone treatment). The patient’s dependence on short-acting or long-acting opioids is considered when deciding whether detoxification will involve direct induction or buprenorphine tapering.
One of the advantages of detoxification is that it allows opioid-user to get off opioids quickly. Detoxification risks include a very high relapse rate. It is recommended to work with a certified addiction specialist or provider that will make an individual assessment based on the circumstances of each patient and a treatment plan that best suits the patient’s needs.
In a study conducted by Gowing, L., Ali, R., White, J. M., & Mbewe, D. (2017). Buprenorphine for managing opioid withdrawal. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(2). It shows that in terms of severity of withdrawal, duration of withdrawal treatment, and the likelihood of treatment completion, buprenorphine (Suboxone) is more effective than clonidine or lofexidine for managing opioid withdrawal.
Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Withdrawal
Suboxone may be used to lessen the effects of opioid withdrawal and prevent relapse. Withdrawing from opioids may be uncomfortable and even harmful. Muscle pains, nausea, diarrhea, exhaustion, and difficulties sleeping are a few of the symptoms. Those who experience these symptoms could find it challenging to quit taking opioids and maintain their recovery.
A person may use Suboxone to lower the intensity of their withdrawal symptoms, which will make it simpler for them to quit using opioids and maintain their recovery. Buprenorphine, which is a component of Suboxone, helps minimize cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone can stop opioids' pleasant effects.
Keep in mind that a licensed medical expert should only recommend and oversee the use of Suboxone. It should also be a part of a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes support and counseling.
Additionally, to avoid a sudden withdrawal from opioids when detoxing with Suboxone, the process should be carried out gradually and under the guidance of a medical professional.
To sustain long-term recovery and avoid relapse, it is critical to be dedicated and proactive in seeking treatment and support. Here are 14 tips to prevent relapse that might help you.
Opioid Addiction Recovery
It is essential to understand that recovery from opioid addiction is a long-term process that may require ongoing treatment and support. Working with a qualified opioid addiction treatment provider can help people with opioid addiction develop an individualized treatment plan to meet their specific needs and goals.
National Addiction Specialists are here to walk you through the best opioid withdrawal treatments from the comfort of your own home using telemedicine suboxone treatment.
Learn How to Manage Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
We hope to provide the easiest path to opioid addiction recovery with suboxone treatment by establishing trust, convenience, and affordability to this process.
