How to Treat Opiate Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms

Ending an opiate addiction is a difficult task, and you need to take many different aspects---physical, mental and emotional---into consideration. Withdrawal symptoms occur when, after using opiates for a prolonged time, physical dependence sets in. Withdrawal is a reversal of the changes the body makes to compensate for the effects of opiates, and can be very painful and uncomfortable. Different treatments for opiate addiction and physical-withdrawal symptoms are available, but psychological and emotional issues also need to be dealt with to truly end an opiate addiction.

Things You'll Need

• Medical professional
• Treatment center (optional)
• Medications

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify your symptoms. Not every user has the exact same symptoms during opiate withdrawal. Common early symptoms include sweating, anxiety and muscle pain. Cramps, chills and diarrhea often occur later. Rank the intensity of your symptoms---for some, withdrawal may feel like a mild flu, while it can be very painful and exhausting for others.

• 2

  Talk to a qualified medical professional (preferably one with experience in substance-abuse treatment) or enroll in a treatment center. Apart from providing medications and physical treatment, the physician can offer methods and advice on dealing with the emotional issues involved in addiction and withdrawal.

• 3

  Take medications as prescribed by your doctor to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. Clonidine and buprenorphine deal directly with physical withdrawal, reducing the unpleasant effects. Your physician may prescribe other drugs, such as Suboxone, that act as temporary substitutes for the opiate you are withdrawing from. Likewise, methadone maintenance is a replacement for other opiates (mostly heroin). Suboxone and methadone doses are reduced over time to stabilize, control and finally end an opiate addiction.

• 4

  Join a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous or find a qualified substance-abuse counselor. Apart from the physical withdrawal, ending an opiate addiction takes a severe toll on a user's emotions and mental health. Depression and anxiety are common during withdrawal. Think and talk about the reasons you started---and continued---to use opiates to the point of addiction. Deal with all the issues surrounded addiction; the odds of quitting for good increase when you confront every aspect.

• 5

  Work to create a better physical lifestyle during withdrawal. Though it may be difficult to eat and sleep, try to eat healthier and exercise to improve your fitness. Exercise and good diet might help alleviate some withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia and anxiety. As an added bonus, exercise releases endorphins, neurotransmitters produced in the brain that act as natural opiates, reduce pain and provide a sense of well-being.