Medications for Opiate Withdrawal

Opiate addiction is a life-threatening affliction that occurs when a person becomes mentally and physically dependent on opiate drugs, such as morphine, Oxycontin and heroin. For addicts, quitting is not only mentally straining, but physically as well due to withdrawal. Thanks to certain medications available today, withdrawal symptoms can be easier to take, helping the addict heal from her addiction in a safe and effective manner.

Withdrawl

• When quitting opiates, withdrawal can be one of the hardest parts of the process. Withdrawal occurs when your body responds to the absence of the opiates on which it has gotten physically dependent. As your body craves opiates, reactions can include increased blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea and general flu-like symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can often be so bad that the addict is driven to reusing, Medications can aid the addict in getting through initial withdrawal symptoms and preventing relapse.

Clonidine

• One of the most commonly used medications to treat withdrawal symptoms is clonidine, also known as Catapres. Clonidine is an antihypertensive drug that lowers blood pressure and heart rate,decreases adrenaline levels which can cause anxiety and also works with the receptors in your brain to handle pain. In addition to opiate detoxification, it has been used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder, Tourette 's syndrome and certain sleep disorders. Depending on your level of addiction, clonidine can be administered either orally or through a seven-day patch.

Buprenorphine

• Buprenorphine, commonly known as suboxone, is another drug used in the treatment of opiate withdrawal. Known as a partial opiate agonist, buprenorphine works to treat addiction by blocking your brain's opiate receptors, while keeping them stimulated much like opiates do. Over time your body is no longer physically dependent on opiates, and you can slowly taper your buprenorphine dosage until you no longer take it. Buprenorphine is a safe alternative to opiates as it carries with it milder withdrawal symptoms, along with a lesser chance of overdose, a common danger in withdrawling patients who relapse. Buprenorphine can be prescribed for inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Methadone

• Another drug that can be used to treat withdrawal symptoms is methadone. Methadone is a full opiate agonist that works much like buprenorphine to stimulate the opiate receptors in your brain, while blocking opiates from affecting them. Unlike buprenorphine, methadone has a greater potential for dependence, overdose and more severe withdrawal symptoms. It is not administered in outpatient treatment and is monitored daily.

Tips and Warnings

• If you or someone you know is seeking treatment for an opiate addiction, always discuss any health issues with your doctor. While all three of these drugs have been successful in treating withdrawal in relation to opiate addiction, they each carry with them separate benefits and dangers.
  It's important to remember that each addict is different, so duration of time and dosage will vary depending on your level of addiction.
  Always take these medications exactly as advised by your doctor and read all information given to you by your doctor.