Opiate Withdrawal Basics

Treatment for opiate withdrawal comes in several forms. The opiate family includes both legally prescribed substances in addition to illegal drugs and narcotics. Some of the more common opiates include: OxyContin, Oxycodone, Percocet, Demeral, Lortab, Codeine, Fentanyl, Dilaudud, Tylenol 3, Morphine, Heroin and Methadone; each of which are both psychologically and physically addictive. Once an addict has made the decision to quit using opiates, they will began working their way through the withdrawal process. In this entry, we will discuss some tips and techniques to help alleviate the symptoms.

How Long To They Remain In Our System?

Opiates metabolize by way of the liver before being excreted from the body via the kidneys. The excretion rate of opiates from the body is 95% 24 hours following use. Morphine users may find traces up to 3 days after use.

Who Uses?

Opiates have historically been prescribed to alleviate extreme pain. Those who use these substances illegally typically do so for recreational purposes. Physical dependence and tolerance can develop in individuals taking them in higher doses than necessary – leading many to addiction.

Withdrawal

Opiate withdrawal is typically not life-threatening. Onset and severity of the symptoms will ultimately depend on the type of drug, the frequency of use and use history. Withdrawal symptoms typically set in within 24 hours of the last dose… though, time-released preparations including OxyContin will generally result in a longer withdrawal period. The peak phase typically hits around 72 hours, gradually subsiding after a 7 – 10 day period.

Symptoms

Common symptoms associates with opiate withdrawal include: high blood pressure, dilated pupils, diarrhea, fever, irritability, muscle spasms and bouts of insomnia.

Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with an opiate addiction, Above It All treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy lifestyle you deserve!

Does Oxycontin Rule Your Life?

More and more people have been searching the web for drug rehab centers to help kick their Oxycontin addiction.  At Above It All Treatment Center you can find information on what has quickly become one of the most common forms of abuse and addiction in the past few years. Although Oxycontin has only been on the market for a little over ten years, it has already ruined countless lives and hundreds of users have died.

Oxycontin is potentially deadly and belongs to a class of opioid medications for which we've actually created specialized programs to treat men and women who are addicted to them. This drug can be accurately described as legalized heroin and we rue the day it hit the market in the US.

Many rehabs are quick to label you an addict for life, saying you will never have full control over yourself. We completely disagree with this. We know patients can recover fully without falling back into addiction. 

We differ from most other rehabs in our total approach to opiate detox.

If you can’t stop using Oxycontin, you likely need some professional help. The kind of help you need depends on your situation. Are you just dependent, or dependent and addicted to Oxycontin?


Anyone who uses the medication regularly for more than a couple of weeks will develop a physical dependence on the drug — a change in the brain that leads to a need to continue taking the medication. Anyone with a physical dependence will endure withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop taking the medication.


If you are looking for a treatment center that will provide you with a personalized plan of action to lead you to a successful, relapse free recovery, then contact us today.  We are here to help you through one of the toughest times in your life.

OxyContin Abuse Effects

Recent statistics show OxyContin sales at an all time high; outselling all other prescription pain medications. The drug is an opiate, similar to morphine and heroin, and as such, is extremely addictive. Users can ingest orally, smoke, snort and inject the substance, making it one of the more versatile drugs in use today. Continued OxyContin use can lead to a variety of negative effects, addiction being one of the worst.

Medical Use

OxyContin is typically prescribed to alleviate excessive pain. When the drug is taken as directed, users are able to utilize it to their benefit. Patients choosing to exceed the recommended dosage or use the drug recreationally put themselves at high risk for addiction and abuse.

Short Term Effects

The effects of short-term OxyContin use include vomiting, nausea, dizziness, perspiration, dry or “cotton” mouth, constipation, and extreme relaxation. A single large dose of OxyContin is enough to cause ventilation issues… and even death.

Long-Term Effects

After a long enough period, OxyContin addicts are able to develop a tolerance. As a result, users commonly use more at a time to achieve the same high. Long-term users who attempt to reduce or halt their intake abruptly will often begin going through withdrawal.

Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms associated with OxyContin withdrawal commonly include muscle aches, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, goose bumps and chills. Those intent on overcoming an OxyContin addiction are encouraged to seek out admissions information for rehab treatment.

Rehab

When an addict has made the decision to seek help for their addictions, it’s important to locate a reputable facility to help them make the transition to sobriety. Where finances pose an issue, patients have the option of locating an addiction treatment that accepts Blue Cross, Value Options, Aetna or other common coverage plans.

Rehabilitation facilities not only help patients make the transition back to sobriety, but offer the tools and education needed to maintain it upon program completion.

If you or someone you know is suffering from an OxyContin addiction, it’s never too late to fight. Locate a reputable rehab facility that specializes in OxyContin addiction and contact them to find out about their health coverage options and philosophies. 

OxyContin Rehab –Withdrawal

Drug addiction detox for oxycontin users can evoke a number of symptoms. The withdrawal process is quite similar to those experienced with other opiate-type substances such as heroin, methadone, morphine, Dilaudid and codeine.

What Causes Withdrawal Symptoms?

As with other opiate-based substances, oxycontin abuse can lead to addiction and physical dependence. When the drug is taken over a longer period, a tolerance can be built up, requiring the user to use larger amounts of the substance in order to obtain the high once initially felt.

What Are The Symptoms?

Ranging from severe to mild, oxycontin withdrawal symptoms typically depend the use history and the amounts being taken. Many patients using the drug as intended may not even recognize mild withdrawal symptoms once the drug is no longer needed – citing a flu or cold as reason for their discomfort.

Early Withdrawal Symptoms

-          Anxiety

-          Agitation

-          Yawning

-          Muscle Aches

-          Insomnia

-          Increase tearing

-          Sweating

-          Running Nose

Later Withdrawal Symptoms

-          Diarrhea

-          Abdominal Cramping

What Are The Dangers?

Though the withdrawal process from oxycontin can cause a great deal of discomfort, the process is not life threatening. However, various complications may arise, which can pose potential danger.

Breathing in stomach contents into the lungs following vomiting can lead to aspiration, choking or even infection. Diarrhea ad vomiting can also lead to mineral and chemical disturbances within the body, in addition to dehydration.

Perhaps the biggest danger facing oxycontin rehab patients is relapse. Because a user’s tolerance is reduced during the detoxification process, they pose a much higher risk of overdose when deciding to use even a much smaller amount than they were used to before. As such, the majority of oxycontin overdoses tend to occur in individuals who have recently completed a drug addiction detox program.

Help Is On The Way!

If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to oxycontin, local and affordable rehab options are available to you. In order to ensure a safe, healthy and successful detox, it’s best to get in touch with a reputable facility as soon as possible to determine the best treatment plan for the individual in question.

The road ahead will not be easy… but the rewards are virtually endless.