Opiate is a narcotic that is known to be the strongest pain reliever available in the market. It is also a very addictive substance and causes a lot of pain (both physically and psychological) when an individual tries to stop taking it after a certain period of time.Opiate withdrawal would usually cause a series of symptoms that could catch the individual by surprise.
Some of the symptoms of withdrawal include dilated pupils, excessive sweating, anxiety, muscle aches, agitation, insomnia, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose and sudden chills etc. The withdrawal symptoms are strongest for those who were addicted to the drug before.
Effective Home Remedies for Opiate Withdrawal
Sadly, not every individual has the money to opt for clinical treatments or rehabilitation centers to kick the habit. They would need to face the symptoms of the withdrawal at home and find out ways in which they can feel better without using the drug.Here are some effective home remedies for opiate withdrawal. If you have a loved one who is trying to kick the habit and finding it hard to, help him/her out with these options.
Opiate withdrawal would kick up a series of muscle aches that can be extremely hard to handle. OTC analgesics like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can control these aches and subdue them to an extent. These NSAIDs would work to protect the system from even small aches that would appear magnified due to opiate withdrawal.
Alkaline Rich Foods
Individuals who are addicted to opiate generally refrain from eating in the mornings. This would enable them to absorb the drug fully when they inject it into their systems later on.In addition to not having breakfast, these individuals would also have terrible eating habit; a factor that would strip their body off the essential nutrients it needs on a daily basis.
This would be why an individual trying to stop abusing opiate would start experiencing acute symptoms immediately, and would experience these symptoms for a long time afterwards.Eating alkaline rich foods would replenish the lost nutrients and boost up the energy levels of the body. A healthy diet comprising of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat etc. would help strengthen the body to fight off the opiate withdrawal symptoms better.
Individuals experiencing opiate withdrawal symptoms are prone to stress, sudden chills, muscle aches and insomnia. A hot water bath would take care of all that and provide instant relief for the concerned individual.Soaking in a hot water bath for some time would relax the bones and muscles in the body, thereby reducing aches and cramps. It would also raise the body temperature and provide warmth to combat sudden chills. Taking a hot water bath or shower at bedtime would also relax the mind and promote good sleep.
Vitamin And Mineral Supplements
Constant use of opiate would stimulate the release of excess dopamine which acts as a neurotransmitter. The sudden increase of neurotransmitters would prompt the brain to produce less neurotransmitters from its end. With time, the brain would get used to producing less neurotransmitters, thereby taking some time to get back on track and produce the necessary amount of natural chemicals once a person decides to stop taking opiates.
Therefore, it is considered essential to opt for natural vitamin and mineral supplements that target the brain and help it (and the body) recover quickly and properly.
Standing in the sun for a couple of minutes every day would increase the level of Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D can boost up the body’s energy levels and help calm the mind by stimulating the increased production of the feel-good hormone called serotonin which in turns help cope with opiate withdrawal symptoms like stress, anxiety, sleeplessness and insomnia.
Regular exercises can help stimulate the release of feel good hormones like endorphins which can act as natural opiates when it comes to dealing with opiate withdrawal symptoms like muscles aches, fatigue, stress etc.Rigorous workouts can help increase endorphin production to a great extent in order to handle the acute symptoms of opiate withdrawal.This is probably why individuals wishing to stop taking opiates are asked to workout rigorously and regularly to combat the withdrawal symptoms. Accordingly, regular weight training exercises are considered as the best options for individuals suffering from the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
Meditation can help deal with a variety of mind-related ailments. It can also help the body heal physically as well. Deep meditation exercises can help soothe the mind and reduce the psychological impact of opiate withdrawal to a great extent. In addition to boosting memory, concentration and awareness, meditation can help promote sound sleep and strengthen the body’s immune system as well.
A massage can help relax the bones and muscles, and help treat opiate withdrawal symptoms like muscle aches, spasms and cramps to a great extent. A soothing body massage would also relax the mind and handle symptoms like stress, anxiety, agitation and insomnia etc.
Hobbies and Activities
Controlling the mind plays an important role when it comes to handling the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Individuals wishing to kick the habit are often asked to train their mind to focus on other things when they begin to experience the withdrawal symptoms.Cultivating a hobby or rediscovering old ones can help relax the mind and deviate its focus from the symptoms. Anything that relaxes the mind can be considered worthwhile. This includes reading, listening to music, watching movies, dancing, swimming, playing, gardening etc.
Acupuncture for opiate withdrawal works by targeting those areas of the body that are most affected by the symptoms of the withdrawal. This is done by inserting very fine needles into the skin at certain specific points in the body.It has been noted that acupuncture can help deal with the physical as well as psychological symptoms of opiate withdrawal to an extent. In addition to targeting muscle aches and spasms, the remedy can effectively target those areas of the brain that regulate emotions. And although the remedy would need to be meted out by a qualified practitioner, the individual can opt for the treatment at home.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.