Methods for Succesful Opiate and Opioid Detox
Opiate and opioid detox can be challenging events for individuals seeking treatment options for recovery. Multiple substances fall under each category, respectively, all of which lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Opiates and opioids have different chemical makeups and act in different ways on the receptors in the brain. These characteristics have a significant role during the detox process, leading to different levels of severity.
Understanding opiate and opioid detox begin by first having a firm grasp on the differences and similarities between these two classes of drugs. The following section provides an overview of opiates and opioids to lay the educational foundation regarding the detox process.
An Overview of Opiates and Opioids
The primary difference between opiates and opioids is the fact that the former is the natural version while the latter is synthetic.
Opiates
Opiates are chemical compounds that are extracted and refined from natural plant matter. The specific plant from which these substances are derived is the poppy. Some of the most common forms of opiates include:
- Opium
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Heroin
Opioids were created to mimic the properties of opiates.
Opioids
Opioids are not derived from natural plant matter. Instead, these are made in a lab or synthesized in a controlled environment.
Certain opioids are only partially synthesized from the chemical components of opium. Some of the most well-known opioids are:
- Dextromethorphan
- Dextropropoxyphene
- Loperamide
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Fentanyl
- Cartafentanyl
Both groups of these drugs are specifically referred to as narcotics. When an individual is dependent on either of these substances, they may find it possible to maintain their dependence by switching to an alternative opiate or opioid. The goal of this is to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal in an effort to continue living a normal life.
Individuals attempting to detox from opiates or opioids will find several challenges involved with withdrawal symptoms. One of the primary questions asked regarding this process is whether there is a need for detox for opioid dependence.
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Do I Need Detox for Opioid Dependence?
Any situation that involves prolonged, regular use of opiates or opioids requires a period of detox. This detox is the process in which all traces of either of these drugs are eliminated from the system.
The overall goal of a detox program is to make the symptoms more manageable, leading to a successful recovery. Certain measures are taken to provide relief for opiate and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms associated with detox are known as withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms present several physical and mental challenges that can make successfully detoxing quite difficult. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Muscle spasms
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Sudden changes in blood pressure
Medical detox is often recommended to promote a safe withdrawal period. The availability of medical professionals may reduce the risk of challenges associated with withdrawal.