According to the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the only drug that has a proven replacement treatment is opiates. Although, drug replacement is an excellent idea for those who suffer from chronic pain and other illnesses that necessitate the use of painkillers, opiate replacement drugs are not for everyone. Opiate replacements are addictive and are sometimes as much of a problem as opiates themselves are. Therefore, replacement drugs are not for everyone. Some people choose to use other methods to help them through the phases of opiate withdrawal.

Helpful During Detox

Part of determining what is helpful during the detox period of opiate withdrawal is knowing and treating the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. In treatment centers doctors and clinicians often use these very same methods.

• nausea – nausea is treated with either a prescription antinausea drug such as phenegran and zophran. At home or if you like many others have an adverse reaction to these drugs there are over the counter alternatives such as Nauzene and Dramamine. Both of these are available at local drug stores. There are also at least two herbal remedies which are candied ginger and peppermint tie. Both of which settle to stomach and make it easier to keep food down.
• diarrhea – there are a variety of nonprescription medications that will help calm the diarrhea. Imodium, Pepto Bismol and a variety of other name brand and off brand products area solution to this issue. Although none of them make it completely better they at the very least help and with antiemetic solutions it at least makes you feel better.
• abdominal cramps – a byproduct of slowed digestion due to the use of opiates, these can be taken care of with a simple anti-gas or aspirin.
• joint aches – many people would relapse into to taking an opiate pain killer because of the debilitating aches in most joints but to help this without taking opiates a simple Epsom salt hot bath helps. Soaking in hot water also sometimes works even without the salts.
  

  During detox, you will be given medication for the nausea experienced with opiate withdrawal.

Many other symptoms are solvable through over the counter and natural remedies. Before stopping opiates completely knowing the physical symptoms and preparing for them is one way to help yourself through the physical stages of opiate withdrawal. One of the advantage of treatment centers is that doctors and clinicians know what to expect and what to give you to treat it right away, sometimes before the symptoms even happen.

Helpful During Post Acute Withdrawal

Knowing what post acute withdrawal is and how it can happen is enough to help the symptoms. Most of these are the same as acute withdrawal symptoms and keeping the medicine around to treat acute withdrawal can help with when post acute withdrawal symptoms suddenly pop up.

Helpful During Withdrawal

Although many people think of the symptoms of withdrawal as the same as acute withdrawal or detox. They are not. Withdrawal symptoms generally are more psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Again a doctor can prescribe medications to help with these such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications. These can be addictive and dangerous. A few things that you can do to alleviate some of these symptoms are:

• physical exercise
• meditation
• keeping active or busy
• knowing what to expect
• staying around people who know you and care about your relapse
• making sure you stay away from your triggers

Opiate Withdrawal Timeline

Although the best way to go through withdrawal is in a treatment center there are things that can help you avoid the medications some doctors use if you do not want them. Relapse is difficult to avoid it you are doing this alone and you may in fact need a treatment center.

Opiate withdrawal is one of the hardest to go through without medical help. If you choose to use a treatment center we can help you find one. For more information about ways to treat the symptoms of withdrawal without medication or to find a treatment center that can help, call us at 888-959-0638.