7 Valuable Tips to Help With Opioid Addiction Symptoms and Withdrawal at Home

Freeing yourself from a drug addiction can be extremely difficult. It can be scary and intimidating for those who want to overcome their opiate addictions. Heroin addicts can face some of the most egregious withdrawal symptoms. For some, inpatient rehab is not an option or may not be affordable and can cost thousands of dollars. Although rehab clinics are the best way for someone to overcome a drug addiction, a home solution is discreet and from the comfort of your own home.

Although addictions to illicit opiates, such as heroin addiction and opium addiction, are often the strongest withdrawal symptoms, even addictions to pharmaceutical opiates can be almost as difficult to eliminate.

Here are some tips for those who want to beat their opiate addiction from home and enjoy a clean, drug-free lifestyle.

1. Get a book or program that helps you understand your addiction and helps you fight withdrawal symptoms. At the end of this article is a website that offers such programs designed to help you from the comfort of your home. Plus, they cost a lot less than going to a rehab clinic and can save you a lot of money. Even a hundred dollar program that is guaranteed to work costs much less than an inpatient clinic. This is highly recommended.

2. Too often, people depend on their drug addiction to keep going. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. If you are currently using drugs, it is important that you take the necessary steps to stay healthy. Eating right, taking vitamin supplements, getting plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, and making healthy choices are crucial when you decide to quit smoking or if you are in a position where you cannot maintain your drug habit. Don’t push yourself just because a drug makes you feel like you can. Instead, do your best to stay healthy, you’ll be grateful when opioid withdrawal symptoms appear.

3. Take it seriously. Don’t plan on making your withdrawal symptoms easy. Make sure you are fully prepared both mentally, physically, and socially to handle this process. Opioid withdrawal symptoms don’t last long, but you may find yourself in a situation where you have to miss work, family events, and other potential commitments you may have. Again, getting a book or program in advance is a smart way to play it safe, and you will find such resources at the end of this article.

4. Mind over matter. You may feel some anxiety when withdrawal symptoms start to appear. Try to think positive and think of it as your body trying to heal itself and that has been a long time ago. Symptoms won’t last forever and the first two days are always the hardest. Do your best to ignore limiting attitudes and keep in mind that every day, every second, and every minute you are getting better and closer to feeling better.

5. Get as much rest as you can. Most opiate addicts don’t realize that they don’t sleep as much because they are not used to feeling bad from lack of sleep. In other words, sleeping equals healing. The more you rest and drink plenty of fluids, the more likely your body is to heal completely.

6. Treat yourself like you have the flu. Whether you’re an opium addict, a heroin addict, or a methadone addict, when withdrawal symptoms appear, it always looks like the flu. So what is the best thing to do? Treat your withdrawal symptoms like the flu. By this I mean, take vitamin supplements, vitamin C, drink lots of juices, sports drinks with electrolytes, lots of water, chicken noodle soups and other “soupy” soups, get plenty of rest, keep warm, if possible, take a warm bath and soak for a long period of time (this will calm your nerves) and sometimes a little acetaminophen will help relieve bodily aches and pains.

7. Create a Plan – Having a well thought out plan will minimize the risk of severely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms from severe opiate addiction. For example, if you are addicted to opium, reading it online or knowing what to expect can prepare your mind for the rather uncomfortable experience you are about to encounter.

No matter where you live, whether it’s Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, California, Austin, Texas, or New York, New York, there are countless people who are going through what you may be going through, and thousands have been able to overcome those addictions. If possible, seek the professional advice of a doctor, counselor, friends, and family you trust. There are many programs around the world that offer free or inexpensive solutions for drug addiction rehab. Know your options and stick with your convictions, have a positive attitude, and you will be able to succeed in any trial you may face.