You will probably be looking for a reputed Florida drug rehab. If your family member living in that state is struggling with opioid withdrawal. Opioids or opiates are basically medicines that are given to alleviate pain. When someone stops or suddenly cuts down on the consumption of these drugs, they can experience withdrawal symptoms.
Opioid withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal refers to symptoms developing because of an abrupt withdrawal in opioid consumption. When someone has been using it for a long time. The signs or symptoms of opioid withdrawal can include anxiety. Cravings for the drug, nausea, and vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, restless legs, and accelerated heart rate. Opioid withdrawal should not be taken lightly. You must find professional help from a drug detox in Florida because it can be a life-threatening condition.
Opioids include
Opioids include drugs like heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycontin, methadone, etc which are known to lessen pain and relax the nerves. They tend to produce a feeling of euphoria and can become addictive. If a patient begins to use these regularly, it can cause incapacitating dependence. There is no definitive diagnostic test for this condition but the patient is made to undergo urine toxicology. This is done to eliminate opioid addiction and from any other kind of drugs or a combination of different drugs.
Urine toxicology reports will be positive for most of these opioids like codeine, morphine, or heroin for up to 36 hours. Drugs like buprenorphine or methadone will not get detected through this; there are specific tests for them. Urine toxicology for drugs like cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, and benzodiazepine will be positive in users of opiates. Besides urine toxicology, tests like blood alcohol level, ECG. Blood count, and BMP or basal metabolic panel need to be done.
Clinical Opioid Withdrawal
To understand the severity of the condition, a COWS or Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale test is done. Total scores are from 0-47 where mild is between 5 and 12, and severe is when the score is more than 37. When a patient has been diagnosed with withdrawal in drug rehab in Florida, he needs to get pharmacological withdrawal management. Methadone is usually given in outpatient or inpatient treatment; the starting dose is intravenous or oral and is prescribed every 4-6 hours when withdrawal exists.
withdrawal symptoms
Patients usually do not need greater than 40 mg during a 24-hour period. Dosage is reduced during the next day and from the third day onwards titration starts to ensure a maintenance dose. Buprenorphine can also be provided instead of methadone. But it can trigger withdrawal symptoms in opiate-dependent patients not having any signs of withdrawal. Symptomatic treatment for his condition includes promethazine for vomiting and nausea. loperamide for diarrhea, ibuprofen for myalgia, etc. Doctors can also prescribe medicines for controlling blood pressure when it becomes high due to withdrawal.
Other symptoms
Other symptoms such as joint pain, headaches, and fever can be treated using common OTC drugs like ibuprofen. Apart from medications, patients can be advised to do moderate exercises like walking. Drink a lot of fluids, eat small and frequent meals, etc. Meditation can be encouraged in order to keep the mind calm and talking to a friend may help to distract one from these symptoms. You can use the addiction hotline offered through sites like https://www.daylightdetox.com that are equipped to help opioid addicts through de-addiction.
