Symptoms of Opiate Withdrawal and Their Home Remedies

It can be a bit difficult to deal with symptoms of opiate withdrawal when a person has abused opiates for some time. Whether it’s opiates or drugs like heroin, overcoming substance use disorder is always a challenge for the person. Suboxone treatment is known as one of the great ways to make withdrawal easier. But, there are also some potential home remedies that you can try to find relief from these symptoms.

While opiates are considered illegal drugs, sometimes they have also prescribed medications. These opiates basically act on opioid receptors in your body. These opiates cause a sense of euphoria and hence help in providing relief from pain. However, they can become addictive and life-threatening if used excessively or illegally. 

A person trying to stop using these opiates has to deal with withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are not usually life-threatening but can be very uncomfortable for the person. Symptoms associated with the withdrawal of opiates can be difficult to navigate. Fortunately, there are various home remedies that you can try to deal with them. In this article, we will talk about the common symptoms associated with opiates withdrawal. We will also learn about the home remedies and natural treatments that can help with each one of these symptoms. So, let’s look at them.

Symptom 1. Fever and sweating

Symptoms of withdrawing from opioids can be similar to that of having the flu. These symptoms may include chill, sweating, and fever. Some of the most common treatments for higher body temperature are over the counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Some of these NSAIDs that you can buy over the counter (OTC) or online include ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

One of the best ways to deal with sweating is to wear loose and comfortable clothes that are made of absorbent materials. Cotton is one such material. These clothes can help in absorbing your sweat. Some of the clothing items that you can wear are t-shirts, bathrobes, sweatshirts, and cardigans. And while we are all staying home as much as possible to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, you can easily wear these clothes at home.

Another thing you can do to lower your high body temperature is to use cool compresses. You can use washcloths dipped in cool water or ice-packs that you can make by covering ice in cloth. Taking cool-temperature baths can also be very beneficial to reduce your high body temperature. 

Symptom 2. Shaking

Using opiates for some time can cause your muscles and limbs to feel heavy. So, when you withdraw from them, your muscles and limbs have the opposite experience. This can sometimes lead to shaking and you may also experience muscle pain. People who experience shaking should also keep in mind that the tremors subside with time. There are a few things that you can do to avoid shaking.

Try St. John’s wort

One of the widely known treatments for shaking is using St. John’s wort. An animal study found that St. John’s wort helped in reducing shaking in rats caused by opiate withdrawal. The researchers also found that this flower can help in reducing the incidences of diarrhea in rats.

St. John’s wort is a yellow flower people use for various conditions such as depression, insomnia, wound healing, and more. You can easily buy a range of St. John’s wort supplements online. However, you should take St. John’s wort with caution, as it is known to interact with many medications. These include antidepressants, digoxin, some HIV medications (like indinavir), birth control pills, and the blood thinner warfarin. The United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, does not monitor herbs for quality or purity.

Try to stop using caffeine

You will start to see the difference once you start avoiding caffeinated drinks, like coffee or soda. Drinking decaffeinated alternatives can be beneficial in reducing shaking. Caffeinated drinks can even increase shaking and may also stimulate tremors.

Use distraction techniques

Tremors may accompany withdrawal from addiction to drugs. You should try not to resist or fight them. Because sometimes focusing on reducing them can cause more of them. Using distraction techniques may help you lessen the awareness of tremors when they occur. You can hold heavier objects or watch television, for instance.

Take NSAIDs

You can use pain relievers available OTC or online to deal with muscle aching related to tremors. These drugs can be helpful to you when you are trying to come off opiates. Some of these drugs include ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Symptom 3. Nausea and diarrhea

You may have to deal with nausea and diarrhea when you are withdrawing from opiates. You can use both prescribed medications and home remedies to reduce these symptoms caused by the withdrawal of opiates. 

Zofran

Researchers from Stanford University say taking Zofran may help in reducing not only nausea but also pain sensitivity. Zofran is a prescribed medication that is used for pain and nausea. It blocks the 5-HT3 receptor, which is responsible for responding to the neurotransmitter serotonin found in the body. This medicine may not necessarily manage all withdrawal symptoms, but can help you in stopping your opiate habit.

Home remedies

• You should start eating bland food, such as bananas, apples, toasts, crackers, or rice. These foods will help in preventing stomach upset.
• Try to avoid large meals, instead eat several small meals throughout the day. 
• Keep drinking small sips of water the entire day to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration can worsen withdrawal symptoms.
• You should avoid foods that contain high levels of fat and are greasy. These can cause irritation in the stomach lining.

Symptom 4. Trouble in sleeping

While you may feel sleepy when going through withdrawal fro opiates, it may become difficult for you to get a good quality sleep. Things that can help you get better sleep are – 

• Following a sleep schedule. Sleep and wake up at the same time every day. This will make it easier for you to sleep.
• To get better sleep, keep the temperature of your room between 60 and 67 degrees. According to the National Sleep Foundation, this type of environment can make it easier for people to get sleep.
• You should spend about an hour relaxing and winding down before you go to bed. You can listen to relaxing music or drink water, decaffeinated milk or tea. Reading a book can also help in promoting sleep.