Opiates are highly addictive drugs often prescribed to people in the United States who are struggling with pain. Opiates are known for their strong pain-relieving effects and potential for misuse. Prescription opiate abuse can lead to a long road of addiction and mental health concerns. Before further treatment, many individuals must go to an opiate detox center for medical assistance.
Knowing the signs of opiate withdrawal to better protect yourself and loved ones struggling with prescription drug abuse is important. If you are looking for an opiate detox center, Liberty Bay Recovery Center is a peaceful environment to begin your recovery. Contact us at (855) 607-8758 to learn more.
How Does Prescription Drug Addiction Start?
Millions of people across the nation suffer from prescription drug addiction. The addiction usually starts with a prescription to relieve pain. After a few weeks of consistent use, most people struggle to stop because of the physical dependency they have developed.
Physical dependence on prescription drugs leads to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if someone stops taking them. When long-term opiate use occurs, cutting back or stopping the drug will lead to various withdrawal symptoms. This is what makes prescription drug abuse so dangerous and so prevalent. Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include:
- Codeine products
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Methadone
- Vicodin
These drugs may be prescribed to someone who has a low threshold for addiction. Other factors such as life stressors, socioeconomic status, and genetics determine whether someone will become dependent on prescription painkillers. Opiates can be very addictive for many people.
What Do Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms Look Like?
Opiate withdrawal is a process that can be divided into stages. Early opiate withdrawal symptoms typically look different from the later stages of withdrawal. Withdrawal can be dangerous and even fatal for the person experiencing it. That is why it is so important to recognize the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
Early-Stage Symptoms
At the start of opiate withdrawal, the user will likely feel severely ill. They may complain of flu-like symptoms that appear harmless. However, these symptoms can lead to life-threatening scenarios if a person attempts to quit and go through withdrawal without medical assistance. Some of the early symptoms of opiate withdrawal include:
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
- Body aches
- Fatigue
If you or a loved one are experiencing these withdrawal symptoms, it is important to get to a detox center to avoid medical problems.
Late-Stage Symptoms
Later symptoms of opiate withdrawal usually occur within 12 to 36 hours after the last use of the drug. These can be more intense and dangerous for the user. It is essential to undergo medically assisted detox to avoid them. Some of the later symptoms of opiate withdrawal include:
- Lack of balance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Goosebumps
- Muscle cramps
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Extreme agitation
Late symptoms occur as the user’s body adjusts to the absence of opiates. This list is not exhaustive, and there may be less common opiate withdrawal symptoms present in you or a loved one.
Find Help at Liberty Bay Recovery’s Detox Center
At Liberty Bay Recovery’s opiate detox center, we care about you and your loved ones. We have a highly qualified team of medical professionals and equipment to safely detox clients. Our detox center also provides relief for some of the opiate withdrawal symptoms, like nausea and vomiting. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Our mission is to address all of your detox needs so you can begin your path to recovery. We have medical staff, mental health professionals, and addiction counselors on hand to give you the full recovery experience. If you or a loved one needs medical detox and wants to begin the journey to recovery, we’re here to help. You can contact Liberty Bay Recovery at (855) 607-8758 or visit our website to learn more about our services.
