Opiates are a common drug found world wide that is made from the poppy plant. They come in many different styles but perhaps the two most well known are Opium and Heroin. While opiates do have application as a pain reliever they are most commonly used and abused for recreational purposes. Due to this many people suffer from opiate addiction. The good news is that with treatment it is possible to get off of opiates and overcome the addiction. Unfortunately trying to stop cold turkey can have a variety of terrible side effects that makes quitting the drug nearly impossible. The withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting heroin or opiate use cold turkey are immense. Hot sweats, aching body, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever are just some of the things you can expect when trying to kick.
How do Opiates Work?
An opiate is a form of narcotic. The term opiate itself is also used to refer to closely related drugs such as morphine, codeine, and heroine. Generally speaking the drug produces a sense of well being and pain relief in users. Depending on the specific type of drug used it can also produce other effects such as sleepiness, confusion, and even heart failure if taken in high enough doses. Opium is notable for being the drug of choice for several poets through the centuries such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Why Quitting Cold Turkey is Nearly Impossible
Quitting any addiction cold turkey can be problematic but with opium and heroin there are several distinct issues that arise. The most notable of these are anxiety, irritability, vomiting, and diarrhea. These withdrawal symptoms can last for up to a month or more in some cases making it impossible to function normally and get through daily life. Furthermore the emotional symptoms can even last for several months after quitting opiates cold turkey. These symptoms are caused due to the fact that a person’s body comes to rely upon the opiate intake to operate normally and removing the drug use removes a part of what the body considers to be necessary for normal function. For more information about quitting Heroin cold turkey check out this great resource: http://www.howtoquitheroin.com/How_to_Quit_Heroin_Cold_Turkey.html.
Alternatives to Quitting Heroin or Opiates Cold Turkey
The good news is that there are options when it comes to kicking the habit of heroin or opium without having to go could turkey. In many cases you’ll be hesitant to continue buying the drug and taking smaller doses until you’re off of it but this can be a problem because buying the drug is still probably illegal where you live and also because it can be hard to trust yourself to cut your dosage. The best option in many cases is to seek help at a rehab center for dealing with your addiction.