The use of opiate drugs, like heroin, are on the rise and becoming increasingly popular in the United States. One of the reasons for this is because many of the opiates are actually medications, such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and methadone. These are all painkillers that physicians prescribe to patients who experience any kind of pain or are recovering from an operation.
Unfortunately, patients often become dependent on these medications, and because they are readily available through a prescription, they are often over-prescribed and abused. Detoxing from opiates in any form can be traumatic for the person and those taking care of that individual, especially if it’s not performed under the care of trained professionals. At Asana Recovery, we lead you through the detox process in a safe environment so you can focus on your recovery.
What are the Signs of Withdrawal? – The severity of your detox depends on how long you’ve taken the drugs, as well as the kind of opiate you took, but there are a few general guidelines:
- Early Detox Symptoms (within the first 30 hours)
- Body aches
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Sleeplessness
- Sweating, hot and cold
- Irritability
- Muscle and joint pain
- Late Detox Symptoms (within 72 hours)
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Stomachache
- Nausea
How Can Someone Safely Endure the Withdrawal Process?
- Get Mental and Emotional Support – First, make sure that your family knows that you are detoxing from a drug and let them know that you will need as much encouragement and support as possible. If necessary, contact your therapist, or AA / NA sponsor and talk to them about what you’re experiencing. As a sponsor, they will be able to empathize with you and walk you through your concerns, thus helping you manage your emotions in a healthy way. Your mental and emotional health throughout this initial withdrawal process is crucial to your wellbeing and success. In the first few weeks of rehabilitation, your psychological and emotional stability is even more important than your physical health because if not, you are likely to relapse.
- Consult Your Doctor – Although opiate detox usually lasts from a week to a month, the first 7-10 days are the most difficult. However, your physician can help you by prescribing a mild dose of Naloxone or Naltrexone. These medications reduce your withdrawal symptoms and make the detoxification less stressful on your body.
- Have a Treatment Plan – A plan is essential for getting through the withdrawal process. Set short-term goals for yourself and make a list of them. Then, when you accomplish each goal, you can check it off the list and see the progress that you’ve made. Make sure your goals are manageable and discuss them with your counselor. If you have a difficult time reaching a goal, visualize yourself taking the necessary steps to accomplish it.
Whatever stage you’re at in your recovery, be it seeking out help for the first time or suffering through a relapse, you don’t need to go it alone. The team at Asana Recovery can help you form a long-term plan to lead a healthier and happier life without the specter of your addiction.
