You’re aware of the fact that opioid withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable. And you’ve heard that certain medications can help you end your opioid use without developing intense symptoms. But do you know what precipitated withdrawal is, and understand how it is related to some of these medications?
What Is Precipitated Withdrawal?
Precipitated withdrawal is a potentially dangerous experience that results from the improper use of medications that are commonly used to help people who have become addicted to opioids.
To understand what is precipitated withdrawal and why it can be so dangerous, it can be helpful to first review some fundamental facts about spontaneous or “typical” withdrawal and medication-assisted treatment.
Spontaneous Withdrawal
When a person becomes addicted to alcohol or another drug, the continued presence of the substance in their system can artificially alter the levels and performance of various brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters and hormones.
When someone with an addiction abruptly ends or substantially reduces their substance use, their body may struggle to naturally re-establish proper brain chemical balance. During this period, the individual may develop a variety of unpleasant physical and/or psychological symptoms.
This experience is known as withdrawal. Depending on which drug a person has become dependent on, the first withdrawal symptoms will typically appear within 12-48 hours of their last dose.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Opioid withdrawal can be a particularly distressing experience, often involving powerful cravings and particularly severe symptoms. If someone tries to get through opioid withdrawal on their own, the intensity of the experience can quickly push them back into active opioid use.
An approach called medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has proved to be highly effective at helping people end their opioid use and begin to build a healthier life in recovery. MAT programs combine therapy with certain prescription medications, such as:
These medications can ease the distress of withdrawal, or prevent certain symptoms from occurring at all. Decades of research has documented their safety and effectiveness when used as directed by a qualified professional.
Unfortunately, the improper use of some meds can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including precipitated withdrawal. The risk of precipitated withdrawal appears to be highest among people who receive buprenorphine.
Precipitated Withdrawal
OK, let’s circle back back to the question at the top of this post, and fill in some additional information about what is precipitated withdrawal.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. This means that it interacts with the same receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) that are also affected by heroin, morphine, fentanyl, many prescription painkillers, and other opioids.
When used appropriately, buprenorphine occupies the CNS receptors without causing the disorienting high that other opioids do. This allows a person to get through the day without being affected by either opioid intoxication or withdrawal.
When a person first receives buprenorphine, they should already be experiencing early withdrawal symptoms. They also shouldn’t be on other MAT medications. If the level of opioids in their system is too high, or if they are using medications that qualify as full opioid agonists, buprenorphine can trigger an unpleasant reaction.
Essentially, buprenorphine detaches opioids or other medications from the receptors and then replaces them. This prevents other substances from attaching to those receptors.
However, buprenorphine isn’t as strong as commonly abused opioids or full opioid agonists. If a person has high levels of opioids or full agonists in their system, the transition to buprenorphine can cause a significant drop-off, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of Precipitated Withdrawal
Symptoms of precipitated withdrawal from opioids can include:
- Powerful headache
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Intense abdominal cramping
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Pain in muscles and bones
- Fever and chills
- Suicidal thoughts
Precipitated withdrawal doesn’t happen often, and it usually doesn’t pose a serious health risk – though it can be dangerous to people who have heart problems or who are pregnant. However, even a minor health risk can be concerning. Also, the onset of intense withdrawal symptoms can cause a person to discontinue their participation in treatment and return to active opioid use.
How to Safely Withdraw From Opioids
The best way to safely and successfully withdraw from opioids is to complete the process in a reputable detoxification (detox) program that is staffed by trained and skilled professionals. Here are a few of the many benefits of beginning your recovery journey in a quality detox program:
Supervised Environment
If you try to get through withdrawal on your own at home, the intensity of the experience can quickly become overwhelming. As your symptoms become more severe, the knowledge that you can ease your distress by using opioids again can push you back into active opioid use again.
When you enter detox, you will be in a closely supervised environment where you won’t be able to access heroin, prescription painkillers, or other opioids. This eliminates your risk of immediate relapse.
Safety and Comfort
There’s no reason to sugarcoat this: Opioid withdrawal can be a challenging experience in any environment. But when you go through this process in an effective detox program, the professionals who care for you can provide medical and therapeutic support as needed to safeguard your health and keep you as comfortable as possible.
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Therapeutic Support
In detox, therapy not only helps manage discomfort but also lays the foundation for long-term recovery.
Depending on your needs and the program’s parameters, you may be able to join individual or group therapy sessions while still in detox. This can give you a head start on the progress you’ll make in the next phases of treatment.
Recommended: What Happens During Detox?
Sense of Accomplishment
Completing detox can be a significant step toward an opioid-free future. It can also be clear evidence that you are capable of more than you may have once believed.
As you work to build a healthier life in recovery, you will likely encounter a variety of obstacles and challenges. The sense of accomplishment that you experience when you complete detox can serve you well as you overcome these future obstacles and continue to grow in your recovery.
Learn More About Opioid Detox in Atlanta
Retreat of Atlanta is a trusted source of medical detox for adults who have become addicted to opioids and other substances.
You have completed detox at our center in Atlanta, GA, you can transition directly into our residential rehab program. This can reduce your risk of relapse and help you gain a stronger foothold in early recovery.
To learn more about how we can help you end your opioid use, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
