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Opiate Withdrawal
Alternate Names : Cold Turkey, Dopesickness, Withdrawal from Opioids
Opiate Withdrawal Complications
The biggest complication is return to drug use. Most opiate overdose deaths occur in people who have just withdrawn or detoxed. Because withdrawal reduces a previously-developed tolerance, recently withdrawn addicts can overdose on a much smaller dose than they used to take daily. Addicts should be warned about this possibility.
Longer term treatment is recommended for most addicts following withdrawal. This can include self-help groups, like Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery, outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient treatment (day hospitalization), or in-patient treatment.
Addicts withdrawing from opiates should be assessed for depression and other mental illnesses. Appropriate treatment of such disorders can reduce the risk of relapse, and antidepressant medications should not be withheld with the idea that the depression is only related to withdrawal and not a pre-existing condition.
Treatment goals should be discussed with the patient and recommendations for care made accordingly. If an opiate addict has withdrawn repeatedly only to relapse repeatedly, methadone maintenance is strongly recommended.
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• Definition
• Opiate Withdrawal Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms & Signs
• Opiate Withdrawal Diagnosis & Tests
• Opiate Withdrawal Treatment
• Opiate Withdrawal Prognosis
• Opiate Withdrawal Complications
• Opiate Withdrawal Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
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Review Date : 5/24/2002
Reviewed By : Yvette Cruz, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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