Overcoming opiate addiction is a tough process, but itโs not impossible. Here are some tips to help you get through opiate withdrawal.
Withdrawal can be one of the toughest steps in beginning recovery from opiate addiction. Just know that youโre not alone in your struggle. According to theAmerican Society of Addiction Medicine, around 9 percent of Americans will end up abusing opiates throughout their lifetime. Overcomingopioid addictionis a tough process, but itโs not impossible. Part of making it through theopioid withdrawalprocess involves understanding it.
The Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline
Opiates have one of the toughest withdrawal processes. The physical effects of the withdrawal period are fairly short, compared to the mental symptoms that may persist. The withdrawal timeline and experience is different for everyone. However, most cases are similar enough that a basic outline of how long opioid withdrawal symptoms will last can be established.
Days 1โ3
Mostrelapsesoccur within the first 24 to 48 hours of cessation. This is what keeps most people trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction. Symptoms like aggression, headaches, and irritation will sometimes start as soon as 12 hours after the last dose. Early withdrawal symptoms may include muscle pain and aches, sweating, stomach problems (including diarrhea), insomnia, loss of appetite, severe anxiety and even panic attacks. Itโs important to remember during this phase that these symptoms wonโt last forever. Itโs a temporary pain that youโll be able to get past.
Days 3โ5
After the first 48 hours, there is usually a reduction in the pain youโve been experiencing. Youโve made it through the most intenseopioid withdrawal symptoms, but youโll probably still experience stomach cramping, minor aches, shivers, and fatigue. Once youโve hit the one week point, most of the initial withdrawal symptoms will either be gone or become reduced to a mild level. During this time, lightexerciseandnutritious foodscan be very helpful in aiding your recovery. Dealing with the mental aspect of addiction is usually a lifelong struggle. Therefore, it is important to have access to a regular network of support.
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How to Get Through Opiate Withdrawal
A lot of people give up before the pain of the withdrawal process has run its course. Remember, the experience is only temporary. After a week youโll start to feel much better physically.
The tips below will help mitigate some of the initial withdrawal effects.
1. Get Support
Having support is incredibly important throughout the withdrawal process. Whether itโs a friend, a family member, a doctor or even a support group, leaning on the support of other people can help get you through this tough time. Having someone to talk to about how youโre feeling can help mitigate the anxiety and internal struggles that might lead to relapse. Amedical detox programcan provide you the medical and emotional support you need in a safe environment.
2. Incorporate Basic Exercise
Moving your body can actually help relieve some of your initial withdrawal symptoms. Even though you might not feel like moving at all, getting exercise releases serotonin, which might help ease some of the negative feelings youโre experiencing. Exercise, even if itโs just a walk around the block, can also help to get your mind off things, so youโre not just sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. A medical detox program can help you find a balance between rest and exercise, as the strenuous activity during withdrawal can be dangerous.
3. Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep might be difficult during the initial stages of thedetox. However, you still need to get as much sleep as possible. Whether youโre in the initial or later stages of the detox, you should try to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. If youโre still trying to work throughout the duration of your opiate withdrawal, then you might want to use a couple of sick days, or, at the very least, take a minimized workload for the week. Your body and overall well-being will thank you.
4. Stock Up on Healthy Foods and Liquids
Your appetite might vanish during the first few days of the detox, but when it returns,you should do your best to consume healthy foods and liquids. If you absolutely canโt stomach any solid food, then make sure youโre drinking plenty of water.Dehydration can be very harmfuland only worsen the initial detox symptoms. Itโs recommended toconsume as little processed food as possibleand, instead, focus on eating plenty of vegetables,beans, legumes, and lean protein. The foods listed below are especially helpfulforliver support:
- Artichoke
- Broccoli
- Leafygreens
- Wild fish
- Nuts, seeds and olive oil
Some usefulvitamins and mineralsinclude:
- Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- BlackSeed
- Passionflower
5. Attend Detox
If youโre severely addicted to opiates, you might want to consider attending a professional detox center. These detox centers are equipped to help ease the initial detox symptoms as much as possible. In some cases, medications might be prescribed to help you make it through the first few days of the detox. For those who have an intense addiction to opiates, slow tapering off of the drug is the safest course of action.
Overcoming your opiate addiction shouldnโt be something you have to do alone. If you or a loved one is currently suffering from opiate addiction, reach out to the team of professionals atThe Recovery Villagetoday to learn more aboutopioid addiction treatmentoptions.