Opioid Withdrawal and Dependency

Recognizing Opioid Dependence With Withdrawal

Opioids are a class of drugs that relieve pain and, in higher doses, give users a euphoric high. Although they’re very commonly prescribed after surgery or for people with chronic pain, opioids are highly addictive. Dependence happens when a person’s body grows used to the presence of the drug, leading to cravings when they’re not using.

Tens of thousands of Americans fatally overdose on opioids each year. Illegal opioids include heroin and opium; prescription opioids include oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone. When a dependent person stops using opioids or undergoes medical detox, they go into a phase called withdrawal. This causes physical and psychological symptoms that can be uncomfortable, even life-threatening.

Opioid Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction

When you take an opioid, the drug enters your bloodstream and reaches your brain, triggering a rush of endorphins. These are chemicals that temporarily create feelings of pleasure, happiness, and calm.

With repeated opioid use, your brain loses its ability to naturally produce its feel-good chemicals. This adjustment can begin to happen in just a short time. Eventually, it leads to a cycle where a person feels normal only when taking opioids.

As you use repeatedly, your body goes through several stages of adaptation to the presence of opioids:

1. Tolerance develops when you need more of the substance to feel its effects. Your brain adjusts by producing fewer endorphins and less dopamine on its own.
2. Dependence forms when your body becomes reliant on the drug to function, and stopping the drug leads to you experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.
3. Addiction is what we call compulsive drug use and intense cravings. An addicted person can’t stop using it despite its negative consequences.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

With repeated opioid use, your brain adapts to the substance, making it difficult to quit. When you stop taking opioids, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Body aches
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Increased heart rate
• Insomnia
• Irritation
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Sweating
• Vomiting

In rare cases, severe withdrawal symptoms can be fatal, and many people have lost their lives due to them. These symptoms may last for shorter or longer periods, based on the length and intensity of drug use.

Because of the serious risks involved, medical detox is strongly recommended when quitting opioids. This process should be carried out under medical supervision, followed by professional addiction treatment to prevent relapse.

Supportive Care for Opioid Detox and Recovery

At Sandstone Care, we’ve helped countless young people get clean from opioids. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to offer you all the support you need to get through it.

We have medical detox centers that can help you safely detox from opioids in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Fairfax County, Virginia. If you’re ready to take the first step, call us anytime.