Opiate Withdraw Myth

Opiates are drugs derived from the opium poppy, a few of which are codeine, morphine and heroin. Much information is available on opiate withdrawals, some of which is inaccurate or misleading. Learning the basics of opiate withdrawal can help distinguish accurate information from myths.

Severity

• Despite claims to the contrary, the severity of withdrawal symptoms is not highly dependent on the specific opiate in question. Factors that influence severity of symptoms include length and frequency of use, dosage and method of administration.

Treatments

• Many remedies have been proposed for curing or preventing opiate withdrawal, most of which are ineffective. While it is possible to treat individual symptoms using prescription and over-the-counter medications, there is to date no single effective “cure” for all symptoms of opiate withdrawal.

Complications

• Unlike alcohol and other CNS depressants, opiates are not associated with dangerous withdrawal complications like seizure or convulsions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opiate withdrawal is rarely fatal. Aspiration caused by vomiting, diarrhea-induced dehydration and relapse are the greatest risks associated with opiate withdrawal, according to Medline Plus.

Symptoms

• While it can cause a constellation of physical symptoms, opiate withdrawal may not be responsible for all the psychological symptoms commonly attributed to it, such as aggressive behavior, hallucinations or poor decision making.

Considerations

• Learning to distinguish factual information from subjective opinion can help avoid the myths surrounding opiate withdrawal. Be wary of all-inclusive statements such as "always" or "never", and seek a doctor or addiction specialist's advice on any points you do not understand.