Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

The term 'opiates' is used to refer to any of the narcotic opioid alkaloids found in the opium poppy plant. Opiates are either constituents, or the compounds obtained from the constituents, of opium. These opiates are obtained from the latex sap of the opium poppy. Major opiates present in opium include morphine, codeine, papaverine and thebaine, while synthetic opiates, i.e. the opiates derived from major opiates like morphine and codeine include heroin, hydrocodone and oxycodone. Opiates are highly addictive in nature, and abruptly withdrawing from their use can trigger a series of opiate withdrawal symptoms in an individual, thus preventing users from getting rid of this addiction.

Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
Symptoms of opiate withdrawal may range from minor problems, such as vomiting and headache, to major complications that may require the person to be hospitalized. The degree of withdrawal symptoms will depend on how long the opiates in question were being used. Secondly, it's not that a person only gets addicted to drugs such as heroine and morphine. An individual may also get addicted to opiates such as oxycodone, that are present in various prescription drugs that are prescribed for various illnesses. In such cases, individuals may not even know that they are addicted to something. In fact, they tend to treat the opiate withdrawal symptoms as a recurring ailment and continue taking the prescribed medicine, thus getting addicted to it sooner or later. A stage is reached where they are unable to stop using the medications even if various oxycodone side effects become obvious. Commonly observed opiate withdrawal symptoms include

• Agitation
• Abdominal Cramps
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Dilated Pupils
• Goose Bumps
• Excessive Tears
• Insomnia
• Muscle Aches
• Nausea
• Runny Nose
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Frequent Yawning

Among these, some symptoms may start showing within 48 hours from the last dose, while some may become more obvious with time.

It doesn't stop with opiate withdrawal symptoms alone, opiate withdrawal can also lead to some severe complications, which can eventually result in the death of the individual. One of the most prominent complication is drug overdose when returning to drug abuse after staying away for a significant period. When the person stops using these opiates, his tolerance levels for the particular drug decreases significantly. In such circumstances, even a small amount of the drug can lead to drug overdose, and eventually, death. People withdrawing from drugs are also known to experience bouts of depression and other mental illnesses. Read more on addiction recovery.

Home Remedies for Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
There do exist some home remedies which can ease opiate withdrawal symptoms to a great extent. When withdrawing from any drug addiction, make sure that you slowly cease the use of substance, rather than just bring it to an abrupt halt. Take some time off from work, seek help from people around you, and keep yourself involved in things you like to do. Make sure you get ample rest. As soon as opiate withdrawal symptoms start cropping up, start treating them with necessary medications. You may start feeling weak. In order to energize yourself eat proper food and take necessary health supplements. Drink plenty of water, this will flush out the toxins from the body. Read more on hydrocodone withdrawal relief.

You can aslo read about the withdrawal symptoms of other synthetic opiates

• Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms
• Hydrocodone Withdrawal Symptoms

These opiate withdrawal symptoms are bound to make it difficult for the individual to get rid of addiction. One has to have strong determination in order to fight them. It's not so easy, as time and again the person will be forced to go to the drug for one last time, thus making it impossible to get rid of. The best option, however, is to join a drug rehabilitation center or some drug rehab program which will ensure that the person is kept away from opiates or other such harmful substances.