Opioids are a powerful pain reliever that helps millions of people treat mild to severe and chronic pain. If you or someone you love is taking opioids, you should be aware of the risks of addiction and the signs of opioid withdrawal. While opioids are relatively safe to take, there is a high risk of addiction for those who take more than prescribed or use it with alcohol or other drugs.
At Arkview Recovery, our goal is to support anyone with an opioid addiction who needs help in stopping the abuse before it is too late. We are a full-service treatment facility with residential and outpatient treatment programs that focus on the individual’s unique symptoms and causes behind the abuse. Patients will participate in group and private therapy sessions while receiving medication to ease withdrawals while still managing their pain levels.
To learn more about our opioid addiction treatment programs, call 717.744.0756 today to schedule a tour and meet our dedicated team.
Recognizing the Signs of Opioid Withdrawal
Opioids are a natural pain reliever that comes from the plant Papaver somniferum. There are natural and synthetic versions of this drug available, and you may have heard them referred to as opiates. Why is this medication so addictive?
Opioids can cause a pleasurable, euphoric response in high enough doses or when mixed with other opioids, cannabis, or alcohol. Because of our society’s casual relationship with drugs and alcohol, more people are willing to abuse their medications without realizing the harm they are causing. In severe cases, prescription medication abuse can lead to abusing harder drugs, like heroin, meth, and street fentanyl, which increases the likelihood of overdose and death.
If you or a loved one is taking opioids for pain and you suspect they are abusing their medication, here is a list of the common opioid withdrawal symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Dilated pupils
- Muscle aches and pains
- Stomach pain
- High blood pressure
- Intense cravings for more opioids
The longer the abuse continues, the more severe these symptoms will be, as will the detox process.
At Arkview Recovery, our team is well aware of the signs of opioid withdrawals and the best treatment methods to ease symptoms. Our programs use behavioral therapies to teach patients about the dangers of addiction and find healthier ways of coping with their triggers and cravings.
Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
Opioid addiction is a serious but treatable mental health illness that affects over 2.5 million people each year.1 If you recognize the signs of opioid withdrawal in a friend or loved one, the best course of action is to enroll in an addiction treatment program. These programs can ease withdrawal symptoms safely and greatly reduce the risk of relapse today and long into the future.
The time it takes each person to detox can vary, depending on the length of abuse, amounts taken, and whether any other drugs or alcohol were abused during this time. Polysubstance abuse is very common in people who start abusing their prescription medication and move on to more potent and dangerous drugs.
The following is a breakdown of a relatively standard opioid withdrawal timeline:
6-24 Hours
For short-term opioids, withdrawal symptoms can begin to show in as little as 6-12 hours. Longer-lasting opioids leave the body slower, and therefore, withdrawals won’t start until 24-48 hours from the last dose.
1-3 Days
Over the first few days, withdrawal symptoms will begin to increase steadily and worsen in an attempt to get you to keep taking opioids. Common symptoms during this stage include sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and depression or anxiety.
4-7 Days
The third stage of opioid withdrawal is when symptoms will start to diminish but can still persist. Psychological symptoms, like depression or anxiety, may continue to worsen during this stage. By day 8, most patients will be done with detoxing and will begin tapering off any medication used to treat withdrawals and other symptoms.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
In more severe cases of opioid addiction, some patients may continue to experience acute withdrawal symptoms. Cravings, depression, and anxiety may continue for several weeks to months, depending on the severity of the addiction.
Call Arkview Recovery Today for Opioid Addiction Treatment in PA
Arkview Recovery welcomes individuals who struggle with opioid addiction and are ready to make a positive change in their lives. When you first arrive at our discrete facility, we will run a full health assessment to determine your current level of health and the severity of symptoms. We then use this information to create a tailored treatment program that will include behavioral therapies and medication-assisted treatment.
Are you or a loved one struggling with opioid withdrawal symptoms and want to stop the abuse before causing further harm? If so, call 717.744.0756 today to use our online contact form to get on the road to recovery.
Source:
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
