Essay On Opioids
Opioid Withdrawal
Opioids are powerful substances that relieve pain. Opioids include illegal drugs, such as heroin, as well as prescription pain medicines such, such as Codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Opioid withdrawal is a group of symptoms that can happen if you have been taking opioids for a long time and suddenly stop.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by taking opioids for weeks and then doing any of the following:
Stopping use.
Rapidly reducing use.
Taking a medicine to block their effect.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
People who take opioids incorrectly.
People who take opioids for a long period of time.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition can be physical …show more content…
Intestinal cramping and diarrhea.
Increased blood pressure and fast pulse.
Mental symptoms include:
Depression.
Anxiety.
Restlessness and irritability.
Trouble sleeping.
When symptoms start and how long they last depends on if you have been taking an opioid that works fast and then loses its effect quickly (short acting-opioid), an opioid that works for a longer period of time (long-acting opioid), or a drug that blocks the effects of opioids:
If you have been taking a short-acting opioid, such as heroin and oxycodone, symptoms occur within hours of stopping or reducing the amount you take. The worst symptoms (peak withdrawal) occur in 24–48 hours. Symptoms should subside in 3–5 days.
If you have been taking a long-acting opioid, such as methadone, symptoms can occur within 30 hours of stopping or reducing the amount you take and can continue for up to 10 days.
If you are taking a drug that blocks the effects of opioids, such as naltrexone or naloxone, symptoms begin within minutes.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is diagnosed based on:
Your symptoms.
Your medical history.
Your history of drug and alcohol use.
Which medicines you have been
Opioids are powerful substances that relieve pain. Opioids include illegal drugs, such as heroin, as well as prescription pain medicines such, such as Codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Opioid withdrawal is a group of symptoms that can happen if you have been taking opioids for a long time and suddenly stop.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by taking opioids for weeks and then doing any of the following:
Stopping use.
Rapidly reducing use.
Taking a medicine to block their effect.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
People who take opioids incorrectly.
People who take opioids for a long period of time.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition can be physical …show more content…
Intestinal cramping and diarrhea.
Increased blood pressure and fast pulse.
Mental symptoms include:
Depression.
Anxiety.
Restlessness and irritability.
Trouble sleeping.
When symptoms start and how long they last depends on if you have been taking an opioid that works fast and then loses its effect quickly (short acting-opioid), an opioid that works for a longer period of time (long-acting opioid), or a drug that blocks the effects of opioids:
If you have been taking a short-acting opioid, such as heroin and oxycodone, symptoms occur within hours of stopping or reducing the amount you take. The worst symptoms (peak withdrawal) occur in 24–48 hours. Symptoms should subside in 3–5 days.
If you have been taking a long-acting opioid, such as methadone, symptoms can occur within 30 hours of stopping or reducing the amount you take and can continue for up to 10 days.
If you are taking a drug that blocks the effects of opioids, such as naltrexone or naloxone, symptoms begin within minutes.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is diagnosed based on:
Your symptoms.
Your medical history.
Your history of drug and alcohol use.
Which medicines you have been