Opioid abuse is a major public health issue. Every day 130 Americans die from opioid overdoses. The rise of prescription opioid abuse has led to rises in heroin and fentanyl use and overdose deaths as well. These opioids are highly addictive. Heroin is so potent an individual can become addicted after one use. Often, a single use of a drug mixed with fentanyl can lead to death because it is so strong. Individuals are taking these risks because of an addiction that grew out of prescription abuse. But many individuals fear going through withdrawal or believe there aren’t programs to help them beat the disease of addiction and get healthy again. However, treatment is available. Promises Five Palms offers the programs and therapies necessary to support individuals coping with opioid withdrawal.
What Are Opioids?
Designed to alleviate pain, opioids are a class of drugs that interact with the central nervous system. Prescription opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine, among others, are generally safe when used over a short period and exactly as directed. However, opioids also include illegal drugs like heroin and synthetically enhanced substances like fentanyl. These drugs are so strong they create dependency almost immediately and, in many cases, result in death.
Coping With Opioid Withdrawal
For many struggling with substance use disorder, opioid abuse can be particularly challenging. Often, individuals continue to use and abuse opioids because they have developed a dependence. When they attempt to stop or quit using on their own, the opioid withdrawal symptoms can be so intense they relapse. This is what makes coping with opioid withdrawal so difficult. Without support, an individual attempting to detox or quit will most likely fail. For many, returning to the drug will be especially dangerous as their tolerance for it may have changed during the withdrawal period. Thus, when individuals relapse, they take a dosage they believe they can handle only to suffer from an overdose. Some common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Insomnia or other sleep issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Digestive issues like diarrhea
- Sweating or fevers
- Trembling
- Increased heart rate (arrhythmia)
- Sudden blood pressure changes (hypertension)
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Medically supervised detox is the safest means to detox from opioids. Once an individual has made it through detox, they can begin treatment. Here they will deal with the ongoing issues of their substance use disorder. Copin with opioid withdrawal has both physical and psychological elements. Unless an individual gets professional help for both, they stand an increased risk of relapse.
How Promises Five Palms Can Help
Whether you or a loved one is struggling with opioid use, Promises Five Palms can help. We understand the challenge of coping with opioid withdrawal and can provide the support necessary to get clean. Once clients have successfully made it through the opioid withdrawal symptoms, they’ll be ready to enter treatment. Some of the therapies we offer include:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
You don’t have to struggle alone. Coping with opioid withdrawal can be dangerous. Contact Promises Five Palms today at 1.844.675.1022 to learn more about how we can help.
