Opioid withdrawal can be uncomfortable and even painful. However, there are many ways to manage the symptoms and make the process more bearable. First, you should be aware of the common signs of opioid withdrawal so you can recognize them and seek help if needed.
Are you impacted by symptoms of opioid withdrawal or any other opioid-related problem? The treatment professionals at Outreach Recovery can help. Every day, we use customized outpatient methods to support effective opioid recovery. Call us today at 888.897.9284 to learn how our opioid rehab program can help you heal.
Who Can Develop Signs of Opioid Withdrawal?
Not everyone who misuses opioids will develop signs or symptoms of withdrawal. For this to occur, you must:
- Repeatedly use excessive amounts of a drug or medication
- Become physically dependent on the opioid in your system
- Stop using that opioid long enough to provoke a negative reaction in your brain
Why does this reaction happen? When you’re dependent on an opioid, your brain expects it to be circulating in your system. It also expects this opioid to be present in certain amounts. If either of these conditions isn’t met, the response is typically an unpleasant mix of physical and emotional sensations. Collectively, these sensations are known as opioid withdrawal symptoms and signs.
Three Common Opioid Withdrawal Signs
Opioid withdrawal doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Still, it’s fair to say that some of its effects are more typical than others. Three of the most classic signs of opioid withdrawal include:
- Feelings of anxiety and agitation
- Increased output of tears, sweat, and mucus
- Nausea with or without vomiting
Anxiety and agitation tend to arrive early in your withdrawal from opioids. Their presence helps explain the emotional distress associated with the process. Excessive sweating, a runny nose, and involuntary tearing also arrive in the earlier stages of withdrawal. They’re often grouped together because they’re all forms of unusual fluid secretion.
Nausea and vomiting are later-stage symptoms or signs of opioid withdrawal. They often appear as the withdrawal process is nearing its peak of intensity. Their presence can make you feel extremely physically unwell.
Additional Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal can also impact you in a multitude of other ways. Additional things you may experience early on include uncontrollable yawning, achy muscles, and insomnia. Additional late-stage opioid withdrawal signs can include:
- Cramps in your abdominal region
- Loose stools
- Pupil dilation
- Goosebumped skin
Together, this assortment of problems can trigger profound discomfort. That’s why opioid withdrawal treatment is so important. Without help, you may not be able to tolerate the mental and physical impact of what’s happening to you. This fact helps explain why so many people return to opioid use rather than face withdrawal.
However, with professional help, withdrawal usually becomes much more tolerable. As a result, you should find it easier to completely rid your system of opioids. You should also find it easier to take additional steps in your opioid recovery.
Call Outreach Recovery Today to Begin a Brighter Path Forward
If you’re dependent on opioids, you will likely experience withdrawal if you stop taking them. Some withdrawal signs are more common than others. The overall severity of the process can also differ from person to person. But no matter how withdrawal affects you, experienced rehab professionals can help.
At Outreach Recovery, you’ll find outpatient support for opioid withdrawal. Our goal is to help make the process as tolerable as possible so you can continue on to your next steps in a fulfilling future. To find out more, call us today at 888.897.9284 or contact us online.