Home Remedies for Opiate Withdrawal

Opiates and opioids can cause painful withdrawal symptoms. You can treat some mild symptoms with over-the-counter medications or other at-home therapies. Most moderate or severe symptoms can be treated only by a health provider.
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Few at-home remedies effectively relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms. You can manage some mild symptoms on your own, but medically supervised detox will better alleviate your discomfort.

People taking opiates for a few days rarely experience significant withdrawal symptoms. They may experience minor symptoms, such as headache, nausea or diarrhea. These can be treated by over-the-counter medications.

Severe symptoms are associated with opioid addiction and long-term use of opioids for chronic pain, and they cannot be managed as effectively with at-home remedies as with professional treatment.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are life-threatening only if you have another health condition, such as heart disease. For most people, choosing to detox from opiates at home is not a life-or-death decision. But detoxing on your own is more difficult than detoxing at a rehab facility or beginning opioid replacement therapy.

Over-the-Counter Medications & Supplements

Early symptoms of opioid withdrawal include muscle ache, sweating and insomnia. Late symptoms include cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Several at-home remedies can reduce the severity of these symptoms.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen) and aspirin can relieve some pain and discomfort caused by withdrawal. But they’re unlikely to completely alleviate moderate or severe symptoms. Only take recommended doses of these medications. High doses can cause serious health problems.

Hydration Sources

Water, sports drinks and electrolyte supplements are the best at-home treatments for dehydration. These sources of hydration cool the body and replace key nutrients lost in sweat.

Benadryl

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can help people with insomnia fall asleep. You should take Benadryl or a generic alternative only for a few days. You can develop tolerance to Benadryl, and the drug doesn’t promote high quality sleep, according to the Baylor College of Medicine.

Antacids

Over-the-counter antacids such as Maalox (magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide) or Mylanta (magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone) can relieve some gastrointestinal problems caused by opioids.

Anti-diarrheal Medications

Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) may relieve nausea and diarrhea. Imodium (loperamide) also treats diarrhea, but high doses of the drug can be dangerous. When used as recommended, Imodium is safe and effective.

Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements

Few people eat a healthy diet during opioid withdrawal. Many people are unable to keep food down. Multivitamins and other nutritional supplements aren’t a replacement for food, but they’re usually easier to keep down.

At-Home Relaxation Tips

Before beginning at-home detox, strive to make your home as comfortable as possible. Purchase the over-the-counter medications and supplements listed above. Get enough food and water to last at least one week.

Stock necessities such as toilet paper, Kleenex and paper towels. Create a cozy space with easy access to a bathroom. Make sure you have a fan to cool you when you sweat and blankets to cover you when you have chills.

Create music, movie and TV show playlists to help you pass time. Make a list of reasons for quitting opioids to reference when your motivation is low. Find people you trust who can provide encouragement when necessary or help you in an emergency.

Before starting detox, make it as hard as possible to relapse. Delete the phone numbers of people who can provide you with drugs. Find support group meetings. Surround yourself with people who will aid your sobriety, and rid yourself of those who do not support your decision to stop using opioids.

Remedies to Avoid

Be skeptical of quick fixes or easy solutions. Doctor-prescribed medication-assisted treatments are the most effective treatments for opioid withdrawal. Some at-home remedies are safe and effective, but others may be risky or ineffective.

Unregulated Herbal Supplements

Several companies have illegally claimed products containing herbal supplements relieve opioid withdrawal. The federal government fines these lawbreakers, but new products are constantly appearing online.

Herbal supplements sold in stores are not necessarily safe or effective. Herbal supplements do not have to undergo clinical trials or other studies to be sold over the counter. Always talk to your doctor before trying a new supplement. Some supplements can cause dangerous side effects, and others are a waste of money.

Other Opioids

Doctors sometimes prescribe approved opioids to taper patients off more risky opioids, such as heroin. However, purchasing opioids or using a friend’s drugs in an attempt to taper on your own is dangerous.

It’s difficult to calculate a safe tapering dose without a doctor, and it’s impossible to determine the authenticity or potency of drugs bought on the streets. Using opioids without a doctor’s supervision increases the risk of opioid overdose.

Prescription Sleeping Pills

Benadryl is the only over-the-counter drug that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends for treating insomnia caused by opiate withdrawal. Prescription sleeping pills, such as Ambien, can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. This is also true of benzodiazepines, such as Xanax or Valium.

The Thomas Recipe

The Thomas Recipe is a nickname for a famous opioid detox regimen posted by an anonymous user on an online forum. The recipe includes a few sensible tips, such as eating bananas and taking Imodium. However, the user recommends taking Imodium as often as needed. This is can cause serious side effects.

The recipe also includes risky tips, such as using a Jacuzzi or hot bath as often as possible to soothe muscle aches. Staying in warm water for long periods of time may increase the risk of dehydration.

The creator of the Thomas Recipe also recommends using benzodiazepines to treat anxiety and insomnia. This is risky because mixing benzodiazepines and opiates can be deadly. Misusing the drugs can also lead to benzodiazepine addiction.

At-home remedies for opiate withdrawal may reduce the severity of some symptoms. But these remedies aren’t as effective as those prescribed by a doctor. Detoxing at home can cause unnecessary pain and suffering. Rehab facilities make people as comfortable as possible during opiate withdrawal. They also provide the treatment and support necessary for preventing relapse.

Author
Chris Elkins, MA
Senior Content Writer, DrugRehab.com
Chris Elkins worked as a journalist for three years and was published by multiple newspapers and online publications. Since 2015, he’s written about health-related topics, interviewed addiction experts and authored stories of recovery. Chris has a master’s degree in strategic communication and a graduate certificate in health communication.
@ChrisTheCritic9
editor
Kim Borwick, MA
Editor, DrugRehab.com

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