What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include legal prescription and illegal street drugs. Opioids bind to receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block pain, induce euphoria, and produce feelings of relaxation.

People use opioids for pain management, and doctors can prescribe them for acute or chronic pain, such as after surgery or a car accident. You can also use them for other conditions such as cancer-related pain and end-of-life care.

Opioid addiction is a growing public health problem in the United States. In 2019, 70,630 Americans died from opioid overdoses, and over 10 million people admitted to misusing prescription opioids in the past year. Here is your ultimate opioid withdrawal guide with all of the information that you need to get clean.

How Opioid Affects the Brain

When opioids bind to opioid receptors, they cause pain relief. This is because opioids mimic endogenous opioids like endorphins, which the body produces to help relieve pain. Opioids work by binding to specific proteins called opioid receptors on cells located in the brain and spinal cord. The binding of an opioid to one of these receptors activates it and causes it to send signals throughout the body that block pain. This results in pain relief.

When opioids are taken at a high enough dose or for long enough periods, it can cause tolerance and physical dependence. This means that you need more of the drug to achieve the same effects.

Understanding Opioid Receptors

You find opioid receptors in areas of the brain involved in pain perception and emotional response. There are three main types that opioids bind to are mu (μ), delta (δ), and kappa (κ).

Mu Opioid Receptor

Mu opioid receptors
are responsible for most of the analgesic effects of opioids. In addition, they play a role in reward processing and drug addiction.

Delta Opioid Receptors

Delta opioid receptors are responsible for some of an opioid’s analgesic properties and its side effects. These include sedation, respiratory depression, itching, urinary retention, nausea, constipation, miosis (constriction of pupils), and reduced gastrointestinal motility.

Kappa Opioid Receptor

Kappa opioid receptors contributes to some of an opioid’s analgesic effects by increasing pain tolerance while decreasing sensitivity to pain.

What Is Opioid Withdrawal?

Opioid withdrawal is a set of symptoms that occur when someone stops taking opioids or when they reduce their dose of the drug. The symptoms can include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, chills and sweats, muscle aches and pains, anxiety and depression, trouble sleeping, fever, and runny nose.

When opioid withdrawal symptoms begin depends on how long a person has been taking opioids and at what dose. For people who have been taking higher doses for longer periods, it may take longer for opioid withdrawal to begin.

The severity of the withdrawal symptoms also depends on the amount and how long someone has been using the drug. It also depends on other things, such as whether or not they’re pregnant or have had surgery recently.

Also, many people who have an opioid use disorder may have become dependent on substances in addition to opioids, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol. The withdrawal from these drugs can be fatal, so it’s always best to detox under the guidance of a medical professional. Once you enter detox, you will submit a urine or blood sample so that the clinicians know if there are any other drugs in your system. This will help them to create a comprehensive treatment and detox plan.

How Long Does Opioid Withdrawal Last?

Opioid withdrawal can last anywhere from days to weeks. It depends on the type of opioid you use and how long you have been using it. Some people have reported that the worst part of withdrawal was over within a few days, while others said they still feel like they’re going through some symptoms months after stopping their use. Of course, if you are worried about your withdrawal symptoms, you should check with a doctor or treatment center before trying any detox plan on your own.

How Do Professionals Diagnose Opioid Withdrawal?

Doctors diagnose opioid withdrawal by asking clients about their symptoms, performing tests to rule out other conditions, and prescribing medication for the client’s condition. To diagnose opioid withdrawal, doctors will ask clients about their symptoms. The doctor will want to know if you are experiencing any of these:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Sweating
• Vomiting

When Should You Seek Opioid Treatment?

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s a good idea to seek help for your opioid abuse right away:
• Being unable to control how much you use or when
• Needing to use first thing in the day to feel “well”
• Loss of interest in personal appearance and hygiene
• Isolation or spending a lot of time with a new circle of friends
• Stealing from friends, family, work, or strangers
• New legal or financial troubles
• Loss of interest in personal hobbies or passions
• Frequently unwell, such as sleeping a lot or having “the flu”

If you are experiencing any of these, starting treatment as soon as possible is important. Once you start your detox, you’ll notice your body adjusting to the changes. For instance, your muscles will be sore, and your stomach will be rumbling. Your body is reacting to the loss of opioids and craving them more.

Medically assisted detox will help you through the symptoms of withdrawal. It’s best to go right from detox to treatment because after you leave detox, you will still be feeling the withdrawal effects even though they will be less severe. However, the desire to just feel “normal” is strong. A staggering 27% of clients relapse the same day that they are released from detox if they don’t go straight into treatment. As many as 59% relapsed within a week of leaving detox. When you go right from detox to treatment, you can get the help you need to stay sober.

What Are the Options for Those With Opioid Withdrawal?

There are many options to detox from opioids. The first step is to consult with a doctor or counselor who can help you determine the best course of action for your specific needs. There are several medications you can use while in detox to treat opioid withdrawal.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist and kappa receptor antagonist. It works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, but it causes less euphoria and physical dependence. Buprenorphine can be used alone or alongside naloxone, a partial opioid antagonist, to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids on the body. When taken as part of an addiction treatment program, naltrexone can help clients avoid relapse after detoxification. It’s also used to treat alcohol use disorder and can be prescribed by itself or with other medications to minimize cravings for alcohol or opioids. If you have been taking opioids for an extended period, you may also need to adjust your diet and exercise routine during your detox. This will help regulate levels of certain chemicals in the body that keep you from experiencing severe symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, and vomiting during detoxification.

Detox is not necessarily something that has to be done alone. Many support groups are available for those who want additional guidance through this difficult process.

The Opioid Treatment Process

Opioid withdrawal treatment typically involves gradually reducing the amount of opioids that you take while also providing medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Tapering off opioids is difficult and can be dangerous if done incorrectly. You must work with your doctor to ensure that you’re taking the right dose at the right time so that you don’t experience severe symptoms like seizures or other health problems.

The first step in treatment is identifying which drug class you are addicted to. This includes opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers like Vicodin or OxyContin. This may be an important part of your treatment plan if you have a history of using other drugs in addition to opioids. Some people may need treatments that target both the physical and psychological aspects of withdrawal, and others may require additional services such as counseling or support groups.

Once the doctors determine that you need opioid withdrawal treatment, your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage some symptoms associated with withdrawal. The treatment is in three phases.

Detoxification

This first phase helps the body to rid itself of opioids and other drugs that they have taken. The client will be given medication to help them manage their symptoms during this phase.

Maintenance

In the second phase, maintenance, medical professionals teach clients how to manage their pain without using drugs by using other methods such as physical therapy, exercise, and counseling. The medical experts provide medications and counseling for addiction treatment in this stage.

Recovery Support

During the recovery support phase, professionals encourage clients to participate in support groups or other activities to help them remain sober after leaving rehab.

Choosing an Opioid Withdrawal Treatment Center

When choosing a treatment center for opioid withdrawal, there are some things you’ll want to consider. Some centers offer only short-term treatment, while others offer long-term residential treatment and support. Some facilities offer only medication-assisted therapies and counseling, while others offer a wide range of complementary treatments. You should ask about standard amenities such as Wi-Fi access, recreational activities, quality food options, and nutritional counseling services available on-site or at nearby locations.

Can Opioid Withdrawal Be Fatal?

Technically, opioid withdrawal does not cause death on its own. However, conditions linked to some of the symptoms can cause death. For example, severe opioid withdrawal causes prolonged nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause serious dehydration, which can, in turn, cause hypernatremia, an excess of sodium in the blood. This can cause heart failure and death. This is why it’s crucial that you detox in a controlled environment where you can be monitored by medical professionals.

Another cause of death during opioid withdrawal is suicide. When someone stops using opioids abruptly without medical supervision, they may experience severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Some studies indicate that attempted suicide by intentional overdose accounts for about 26% of emergency department overdose cases.

Opioid withdrawal is a serious issue that can be difficult to overcome. You can’t just stop taking opioids and expect to feel better. Therefore, you need help from a medical professional who knows what they’re doing. We have a wide network of people ready to help you overcome your opioid addiction. We can ensure you have everything you need, including medication and counseling, so you don’t have to go through this alone.