Signs And Symptoms of Opiate Withdrawal

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Understanding the signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal can help you identify if you or your loved one is struggling with addiction to opiates. It can be difficult to identify addiction, since it looks different in everyone. Withdrawal is one of the biggest signs. Thankfully, if your or a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction then The Healing Center in Cherry Hill, NJ can help you. Our staff is trained on treating the symptoms of opiate withdrawal in order to make your early recovery journey more comfortable. Once the symptoms are stabilized, you will be able to begin the process of treating and identifying what led to the addiction in the first place. 

What Is Opiate Addiction?

Opioids themselves are derived from poppy plants. They are synthetically manufactured by pharmaceutical companies in order to produce drugs such as pain killers. There are many different opiate drugs, both illegal and legal. This includes painkillers such as morphine and Percocet, and illicit drugs such as heroin. These drugs are beneficial when prescribed by a physician to treat pain. However, when someone is using them recreationally they are at an increased risk for developing an addiction and other negative consequences.

Opiates are particularly addictive because they block pain receptors in the brain and will alter brain chemistry over time. Side effects of opiates include euphoria and relaxation. Thus, people who take them may feel like they have escaped the stressors of their daily living. Opiate addiction is dangerous and may be deadly if it is not properly addressed. If you or a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction, then it is important to enter into a drug rehab facility. Addiction treatment facilities will help you overcome your substance abuse disorder and get your life back on track.

 

How Many People Are Affected By Opiate Addiction?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2019 10.1 million individuals 12 and older suffered from opioid use disorder. Other research states that approximately 20,000 people die per year from opioid related overdoses. Since the opiate crisis began in the early 2000s, opiate abuse continues to be a growing problem within the United States.

This is especially alarming due to the regulations that the government and CDC has put into place regarding the prescribing of opiates. Despite the best efforts of political figures, physicians, and insurance companies the opiate crisis continues to spread across the United States. Thus, it is extremely important for addiction treatment facilities to be accessible to those struggling with addiction. The Healing Center offers substance abuse treatment programs for those who need it in South Jersey.

We believe that treatment should be both affordable and available to anyone who is battling with addiction. We understand the impact that opiate addiction has had on individuals and families. We are here to help. Contact our admissions team to learn more about how our drug rehab can help you today.

 

Signs and Symptoms Of Opiate Withdrawal

There are a multitude of signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The specific symptoms of opiate withdrawal will vary depending on specific factors including level of abuse and length of time using. Some signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal may include:

Behavioral symptoms:

  • Isolation
  • Dishonesty
  • Stealing
  • Asking to borrow money
  • Slurred speech
  • Looking for doctors to prescribe opiates
  • Forging prescriptions
  • Lack of coordination

 

Physical symptoms:

  • Weight loss
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Sneezing
  • Watering eyes
  • Restless legs

 

Cognitive symptoms:

  • Disorientation
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Lack of impulse control 
  • Bad decision making
  • Poor communication skills

 

Psychosocial symptoms:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Panic Attacks
  • Anger
  • Outburst of emotions

 

Are Symptoms Of Opiate Withdrawals Dangerous?

The signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawals are dangerous. If someone is in poor health from active addiction, then opiate withdrawals could cause severe dehydration. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of opiate withdrawals. These two symptoms often lead to severe dehydration if someone is not getting enough fluids. Medical detox facilities and drug rehabs are able to provide medications and fluids that help prevent that from happening. Furthermore opiate withdrawals increase the risk of someone relapsing, which may be deadly. Once someone enters into withdrawal, their tolerance for the drug begins to lower. This means that if someone tries to use the same amount after detoxing, then they are at an extremely high risk for overdose. Thus, people who are trying to detox from opiates should enter into a medical drug rehab program. Once there, they will receive the medical treatments they need to safely and effectively go through opiate withdrawals.

 

Find Help For Opiate Withdrawals In South Jersey

The Healing Center offers an addiction treatment center in South New Jersey that helps individuals struggling with opiate addictions. It is important to understand that going through opiate withdrawals outside of a medical treatment center is extremely dangerous. That’s why we are here to help you. We provide therapeutic programs and medication assisted treatment in order to make sure both the physical and psychological aspects of your addiction are treated. Don’t try to walk through this alone. Our admissions team is here 24/7 to help you. Give them a call today in order to get the help you need to conquer your opiate addiction.