What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal

If you’re struggling with opioid dependency and want to stop, you may face a challenging withdrawal process. This happens because your brain and body have adapted to relying on the drug. That’s why completing detox under the supervision of a medically trained addiction specialist is crucial for safety and comfort. But What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal? Let’s explore the details of the opioid detox and withdrawal process.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that provide pain relief for individuals following injury or surgery, or for chronic pain management. Some examples of prescription opioids include Vicodin, OxyContin, Morphine, Dilaudid, codeine, and fentanyl. Heroin is also included in the opioid class, although it is an illicit street drug with no medicinal value. Opioids work by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain to block pain signals. These are neural messengers that travel along the central nervous system from the injury site to the brain. The resulting effects include pain relief, light euphoria, and relaxation. Common adverse effects of opioids include nausea, dizziness, constipation, vomiting, and drowsiness.

How Does an Individual Become Addicted to Opioids?

In 1972, it was discovered that the brain has receptor sites for opiates. When an opioid binds to these receptors, it not only blocks the transmission of pain signals, but also causes a rush of dopamine. The dopamine causes mild euphoria or elevated mood. With continued use, the over-production of dopamine disrupts the brain’s normal production of dopamine. In time, the body quits making dopamine on its own. Extended use of opioids leads to increased tolerance. This means that the person needs more of the drug to achieve the desired effects. Eventually, the individual needs increased dosing just to be able to feel well.

What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal?

If you are entering recovery for opioid use disorder, you may wonder, “What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal?” No one likes the prospect of suffering through the harsh effects of detox and withdrawal. Thankfully, there are several drugs that can help reduce the unpleasant effects that accompany withdrawal. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a two-pronged approach including both medication and therapy to help individuals succeed in recovery. Medication options include:

• Methadone
• Suboxone
• Naltrexone
• Buprenorphine

These medications have been proven to answer the question, “What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal?” effectively. They act to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings by training the opioid addict to no longer desire the drug. This occurs when the agonist or antagonist blocks the opioid receptors in the brain. When the person no longer experiences the high associated with the drug, they lose the cravings for it.

Benefits of Medications for Opioid Recovery

It may seem counterintuitive to replace one opioid drug with another. However, for some individuals, this treatment strategy can provide critical reinforcement during recovery. Understanding What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal is essential to reduce the risk of relapse and provide a foundation for long-term recovery. Benefits include:

• When provided during the latter days of withdrawal, the drugs reduce withdrawal pain and therefore the risk of relapse
• Reduces cravings, which in turn lowers the risk of a relapse
• Provides an opportunity to be productive and maintain employment
• Reduces risk of the person engaging in illegal activities

In a few months to a couple years, the individual begins a tapering process. This allows them to slowly decrease the brain’s dependency on the medication.

Wellness Recovery Retreat Center Medical Detox and Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Wellness Recovery Retreat Center guides individuals through all phases of opioid addiction recovery, including medical detox and rehab. If you are wondering “What Medications Help with Opioid Withdrawal,” our team can provide those answers. Please call us today to learn all about our recovery center at (877) 454-7158.