The Mechanics Behind Drug Addiction

What is Drug Addiction?

We enjoy a lot of things in life. Whatever we enjoy, we like to repeat. We often eat our favorite food. We repeat doing our hobbies because we enjoy them. But even with the things that we enjoy, if we overdo them, it can be harmful. Eating too much of our favorite food can cause health problems. Committing too much time on our hobbies will leave us with no time for anything else. In the case of addiction, we might end up ignoring these consequences. Addiction is a dangerous disease. In many cases, someone suffering from addiction may not even know that they have it until it’s too late. Drug addiction is something that has plagued many people all over the world. There are millions of drugs created over the years. While a lot of them were intended to have beneficial effects to us like improving our health or treating pain, if taken too much, they can result in permanent damages. Many drugs damage our bodies when abused. Many can harm our vital organs and even affect our behavior. And yet, under the spell of addiction, our brain rejects the idea of stopping what's causing the damages. Even worse, when we do stop, we are slammed with withdrawal symptoms that could be uncomfortable or even painful.

What Causes Drug Addiction?

As mentioned earlier, we like to repeat what we enjoy. We are programmed to continue what gives pleasure while avoiding anything that caused harm. Certain drugs stimulate the part of our brain responsible for pleasure. The brain remembers this effect and thus we are convinced to repeat the process. However, the brain slowly becomes tolerant of the chemicals in the drugs. This means that gradually, the effects of the drug become weaker. In order to feel the same pleasure as before, the brain demands more of it. Addiction causes our brain and body to be dependent on the drug. In severe cases, our brain and body are convinced that it cannot feel pleasure unless we take the drug. The natural way the body signals pleasure malfunctions. The body and brain won’t be able to naturally feel pleasure anymore. The only way it can feel pleasure is when the drug is taken. In perspective, addiction is similar to hunger. The only difference is that hunger is actually a natural process in the body. Our body has a way to create nutrients to function. Food is needed because our body cannot always create enough nutrients that it needs. Food supplies the nutrients that body cannot produce. Therefore, we feel hunger. On the other hand, addiction forces the body to believe that it also cannot feel pleasure without the drugs. It makes us believe that we need the drugs more than anything else.

Which Neurotransmitter is Involved in Drug Addiction?

Our nervous system sends and receives signals through neurons, which make up our nerves. They react to the chemicals in our bodies and send a message or command. The chemicals that stimulate the neurons are called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are linked to how our brain and body become addicted to drugs. Neurotransmitters produce many reactions to our body, including pleasure which we can become addicted to. Our body naturally creates neurotransmitters that are triggered by many activities, including eating and exercise. Drugs stimulate or mimic the effects of neurotransmitters that the neurons accept. This triggers specific states of mind such as thrill and arousal. With our brains believing that these are good things, it seeks to repeat the same process. It is one of the drivers of addiction.

Here are some neurotransmitters that are triggered by drugs that many become addicted to:

• Acetylcholine

This neurotransmitter affect movement, motivation, sleep, and memory function. This transmitter can be called the "mother transmitter" because it also triggers the creation of fresh neurotransmitters. The absence of acetylcholine causes slower reflexes in aging individuals. Drugs that stimulate this neurotransmitter are PCP, hallucinogens, marijuana, and stimulants.

• Dopamine

This regulates movement, energy, and pleasure. This neurotransmitter also manages the flow of information in the brain. Ever had an epiphany? A sudden blast of rapid thought? That’s a spike of dopamine at work. Every drug that can affect pleasure, stimulate this neurotransmitter. This includes heroin, marijuana, and opiates.

• Endorphins

Endorphins are well-known for giving pain relief and a “reward” feeling. This is our body’s stress buster. When our bodies receive too much tension or damage, the body releases this to keep the brain from firing off depressive and aggressive neurotransmitters. Chocolate triggers the release of this transmitter, making it the perfect food for the stressed and heart-broken. Opioids and depressants trigger this neurotransmitter.

• Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

This stimulates judgment, impulsiveness, and arousal. An inhibitory transmitter, this transmitter prevents neurons from over-firing. When you’re in a panic or in rage, this transmitter is released, allowing you to calm down. Thinking calm thoughts also trigger the release of GABA along with its partner, Serotonin. Depressant drugs, Alcohol, and marijuana trigger this neurotransmitter.

• Norepinephrine or Noradrenaline

This triggers alertness, energy, pleasure, and arousal. It can also be called adrenaline, which activates during times of crisis (fight or flight.) These transmitters keep you awake, attentive and ready to tackle the world. Stimulants affect this neurotransmitter.

• Serotonin

This neurotransmitter regulates our mood and impulses. Serotonin is the “anti-transmitter transmitter,” which is abundant if you’re depressed or sad. Ironically, Serotonin helps with your sex drive, which may explain why some people ignore everything else when they see a “potential partner.” Alcohol, stimulants, anti-depressants, and hallucinogens affect this neurotransmitter.

How does Drug Addiction Affect the Brain?

A lot of the drugs in the market, both pharmaceutical and black market, affect the nervous system. They trigger many parts of the brain that function a state of mind. While they are initially meant to have positive effects like relieve pain, drug addiction can turn these effects into permanent health problems. Pleasure and euphoria may be the brain's initial response to drugs, but long-term effects can be problematic. In low or moderate doses, drugs can cause disorientation, hallucinations, nausea, numbness, and a sense of detachment from self. When abused, drugs can induce memory loss, anxiety, paranoia, and aggression. Then comes the heavier effects, ones that are potentially irreversible. The brain believes in the saying “If you don’t use it, lose it.” When you don’t use a certain part of your brain, it “devolves” or deactivates that area in the brain to focus on other working tasks. How does this apply to drugs? If for example, you take LSD, a pleasure-inducing drug, your brain sees that it has sufficient feel-good chemicals and doesn't need anymore. The brain stops producing them until it's really needed. Now, an addict would constantly take the drug, which in turn keep the brain from making more of the feel-good chemicals. Do this long enough, and the brain will deactivate the parts that send the feel-good signals. This means the addict will never feel pleasure apart from taking drugs. Nothing in their life will give them any satisfaction. There are chemical therapies that can reverse these, but they are expensive and the reversal is not always successful.

What is the Difference Between Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction?

Is there even a difference? They are both related to using drugs and both of them will eventually reduce or destroy your quality of life. The answer is yes, they are different. What makes them indiscernible is that they go hand in hand.

Key differences:

• Drug Abuse

In essence, drug abuse is identified when you go out of your way to use drugs, and it starts to impede your relationships and way of life. One such example is someone going as far away from their family or friends when using drugs, in order to keep their habit undisturbed. Another is when drugs begin to replace a person’s usual “pleasurable habits” like their hobbies. That is drug abuse.

• Drug Addiction

Put it simply, it’s similar to how people can’t start their day without a cup of coffee. Addiction happens when the body gains tolerance to the substance, experiences withdrawals without it, and the user takes more than usual to achieve the same effect. Drug abuse is more of a behavioral change in a person, whilst addiction is the physical changes that undergo when a person takes drugs. In some cases, they are separate. One can abuse drugs and not be addicted or vice versa. The fact remains, however, that each one leads to the other. Addiction leads to abuse and abuse leads to addiction. Addiction is almost always hidden. Often, the only time you can spot an addiction is when you start seeing the effects. Even then it’s not easy to tell if it’s truly an addiction or something else. Either way, when left unattended, addiction can spiral out of control. When the addict loses all control over their addiction, the only way they can recover is through the help and compassion of others. If you’re an addict, it’s not too late to change. Help is abundant and there’s no shame in improving yourself. If you know someone who's an addict, help them. If you can’t and confrontation is impossible or risky, there are groups that can help you, help them.

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How Opiates Function

What are Opiates?

Opiates or opioid drugs are prescriptions drugs used to treat pain. Opiates are helpful in treating patients with severe injuries or recovering from surgery. But with the benefits of opiates comes with a price. Opiates also have side effects that may be inconvenient. One of these side effects is that opiates are addictive.

How do Opiates Work?

Many toxins enter our bloodstream. These toxins may affect our organs, including the brain. Opiates work by passing through the blood-brain barrier. This means that opiates work by entering our bloodstream and then reaching our brain to function. It takes only a few minutes for opiates to reach the brain. Therefore, opiates are preferred for fast relief. Part of our brain is the opioid receptors. These receptors affect the pleasure system of our brain. It also blocks pain, slows breathing, and have an antidepressant effect. Our body produces natural opioids for the receptors to process. By taking in opiates, the receptors are activated with opioids from an outside source. With powerful opiates, the opioid receptors are stimulated to produce a euphoric effect.

What are the Side Effects of Opiate Use?

Like most drugs, opiates come with side effects other than what is intended. With opiate affecting the brain, these side effects might become harmful when prolonged. During short term use, opiates can also cause drowsiness. Because opioid receptors can affect breathing, opiates may also slow breathing. This is why it is not recommended for patients with existing breathing conditions. Opiates can also cause constipation and nausea. Opiates are categorized as narcotics. This means that they are highly addictive.

How do Opiates Become Addictive?

We remember what gives us pain and what gives us pleasure. This is why we like to repeat activities such as eating and avoid going too near the fire. By taking in opiates, the opioid receptors are flooded. This causes the euphoric effect that overwhelms the brain. The brain remembers this as something pleasurable. So, the brain wants to repeat the activity that caused this. Here is where opiate addiction starts.

What Happens during Opiate Abuse?

Opiates flood the opioid receptors. This could overwhelm the brain. Here are few of the symptoms that occur during opiate abuse:

• Weakened immune system
• Respiratory depression
• Paranoia
• Lethargy
• Tolerance to its pain relief effects

In severe condition, opiate abuse can also cause abdominal distention, liver damage, and brain damage.

Remedies for Opiate Abuse

People who have abused opiates still have an option to flush the toxins from their system. Checking into rehabilitation centers can help patients recover from opiate addiction. Joining supports groups and therapies can help patients avoid repeating the addiction in the future. Detox centers can also offer help to rid your body of the chemicals. For any method in recovering from opiate abuse, it’s advisable to seek a medical professional’s advice. Their advice can help in avoiding or managing withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes, medication is unavoidable. The key to prevent or manage undesired side effects is to follow your doctor’s instruction and use prescription drugs in moderation. Ask your doctor about the effects of the medicine you’re taking to know how to manage unwanted effects.  

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Cleanse Yourself from Opiates

The Effects of Opiates

Opiates are pain relievers that are often used in hospitals for severe pain. But other than pain relief, opiates have other effects that may be inconvenient. Some common effects are drowsiness, nausea and slowed breathing. One effect that could be the most concerning is that opiates are addictive. Opiate addiction can result to abusing the drug. Any kind of drug abuse can be dangerous to our health. Opiate drug abuse can even cause liver and brain damage.

Importance of Cleansing

Our body is introduced with many kinds of chemicals on a daily basis. While this may be unavoidable, our body has a way to cleanse itself from chemicals that may harm it. In case of drug abuse, our body may find it difficult to flush out all the toxins that could cause damage. Cleansing our body from toxins is important. This would prevent toxins from having permanent damages to our organs. When it comes to opiate abuse, or any drug abuse, helping the body cleanse itself from the toxins can also help avoid withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and even debilitating.

How to Cleanse your Body from Opiates

We have many ways to help the body to cleanse itself from opiates and other toxins or chemicals. Some can be done at the comforts of our home, while others may need medical professional help.

Here are some ways to cleanse yourself from opiates:

Going Cold Turkey

This method might sound familiar. Going cold turkey means immediately stopping the drug use. This is not recommended due to the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to seek medical advice before trying this method.

Taper off the Meds

Tapering off from opiates is more advisable than stopping abruptly. This method is to take the drug in lesser dosages daily. Each day, take the opioid drug less than the day before. Doing this will help manage withdrawal symptoms or avoid them altogether.

Use Suboxone

Suboxone is a medicine used to treat opiate addiction. Its chemicals can trick the brain into believing that you took opiates, but it doesn’t have any effect on the body. It can be used as an alternative to opiates, but it should also be tapered off. Tapering off from Suboxone can still cause withdrawal symptoms.

Admitting into a Rehabilitation Center

Rehabilitation centers are experts in helping patients recover from drug abuse. Medical professionals can provide 24-hour care to patients admitted to their rehabilitation centers. Their treatments may last for months. But they can help in recovery and prevent relapses in the future.

Visiting Detox Clinics

Detox clinics offer treatments to help in recovering from drug abuse. Treatments can last from days to a full week. Some may still experience withdrawal symptoms. But medical professionals from detox clinics can help in managing these symptoms. Visiting detox clinics can be an alternative for patients who don't want to spend a long time in rehabilitation centers. It’s our responsibility to take care of our body. It may be unavoidable to use prescription drugs, it's best to use them moderation or as the doctor instructed. This way, your body can naturally flush the toxins out.

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Detox Methods for Opiates

Opiates have powerful painkilling and anti-depressant effects. Their effects are so profound that they are widely used to effectively manage pain. In some cases, the usage is short, likely less than a week. Others have long-term conditions that have them depend on the drug to function. At some point, people would want to free themselves of the drug. After all, opiates are technically toxins to the body and prolonged usage will cause permanent damage. Despite the drug’s low toxicity, physical and psychological dependence can be hard to overcome. This is why users opt to detoxify themselves off the drugs. There are other opiate free alternatives to manage pain, and a healthy lifestyle is always its own reward.

Things to Know Before You Start

Consult a Physician

Always seek professional advice before detoxing. They can offer valuable information about your current condition that can potentially save your life. Withdrawal can cause a lot of stress in the body, which in turn can cause complications. Your physician can also refer you to other specialists that can further help your detox.

Find Someone You Can Trust

Don't undergo detox alone unless you know what you're doing. Most of the times, you need someone to help you manage your dosage and yourself. At some point, you will face emergencies you really cannot handle alone, so it's best to have someone with you.

Prepare for a Long Term Process

Some detox methods take a short about of time compared to others. What you must prepare for are the long term effects. You might experience nausea, diarrhea, constipation and a lot of other long-term symptoms. These can take up to half a year if you're a long-term user, so set your expectations.

Detox Methods

• Tapering Method

A well-known method to quitting just about anything. Tapering is when you take less dosage over a period of time. If you take 500mg of the drug, you take only 400mg for a week or two, then 350mg, then 300mg and so on. The main advantage of this method is that you may not experience any withdrawal symptoms. This is, however, the longest method. Yet, it's one of the most effective, given enough patience.

• Water Cleansing

This method involved stopping, then constantly hydrating yourself. Drinking 4-6 liters of water a day, depending on your size, can help your body process the drugs faster. You can compliment this method by drinking natural diuretics such as cranberry juice. You will feel withdrawal symptoms in the next day, but this method also helps your body recover better. Combine this with the taper off method and it could cut the duration in half.

• Detox Clinics

They offer a variety of procedures for detox, both for inpatient and outpatient care. Some have short-term procedures that make you go through the withdrawal much faster. Others have a 12-step program to help you naturally cope with the addiction. The downside is that unlike the previous methods, these are pricey. If you have good health insurance, consult with them to see if they cover it.  

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Durations of Opiates in Your Body

Many people suffering from pain are given pain killers. Post-surgery pain, injuries involving large muscle groups and spinal problems often require strong painkillers. This is where opiates are commonly prescribed. Over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen work by blocking prostaglandins. This substance causes pain and swelling in the body. Opiates work by activating brain receptors that block pain. Opiates also cause feelings of wellness and strong anti-depressant effects. The big problem? They are addictive. The effect is so profound that people take these pills for a very long time. At some point, people want these drugs out of their system. They do this either for a test or are trying to quit. Our bodies process substances at different rates, so what are these factors that affect them?

Factors That Affect Duration

• The Type of Opiate

This depends on the drug’s half-life. Once a chemical reaches its half-life, it decays into smaller parts.

• Quality of Opiate

Some drugs are made out of a simple pill matrix, while others have chemical timers and sustained release.

• Frequency of Use

Frequent use can cause chemical build-up in the body. The amount of this buildup can affect the duration.

• Amount of Dosage

The amount you take directly affects how long your body processes it. I some cases, unprocessed opiates can be stored somewhere in the body.

• Your Mass and Weight

The amount of muscle and fat in your body will dramatically affect the duration. People with large muscles often process chemicals faster.

• Health of Liver and Kidneys

Your liver helps turn toxic chemicals into harmless compounds. Your kidneys filter out toxins from your body like lactic acid from muscle activity. Your body’s processing speed is determined by the condition of these two organs.

Duration of Common Opiates

These values are based on when tests fail to detect them. On average, a user will feel withdrawal effects once the drug is undetectable in the bloodstream. The values have minimum and maximum values to compensate for the factors.

Heroin

An illegal drug known by many names. It acts fast and has a powerful effect. The really bad cons? It doesn’t last long and it has equally bad withdrawal effects. These are the factors that make this drug addictive. Urine: 2 to 7 days Saliva: 3 to 5 hours Blood: 4 to 6 hours Hair: 90 days

Hydrocodone and Oxycodone

Sometimes prescribed together, the effects of these meds are arguably similar. The only difference is their chemical compositions. Urine: 2 to 4 days Saliva: 12 to 36 hours Blood: 6 to 8 hours Hair: 90 days

Codeine

This drug was present in over-the-counter cough syrup for its powerful anti-cough effects. Eventually, it was reformulated, but it's still used for its muscle-relaxant properties. Urine: 1 to 2 days Saliva: 1 to 4 days Blood: 12 hours to 1 day Hair: 90 Days

Morphine

A popular drug prescribed to people with cancer and other conditions with debilitating pain. Morphine works fast and lasts long, perfect for long term pain management. Urine: 2 to 3 days Saliva: 3 to 4 days Blood: 8-12 hours Hair: 90 days

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Out with Opiates

What are Opiates?

Opiates are pain reliever that comes from poppy seeds. Poppy seeds were used since ancient times. But opiates have side effects that may be inconvenient, or even dangerous. Opiates are addictive. Much like other kinds of drug abuse, excessive use of opiates can cause harmful effects to our bodies. Some of the effects of long term abuse of opiates are liver damage and brain damage.

Getting Rid of Opiates

Drugs usually get flushed out of our system naturally. With opiates, it may be removed from your body naturally within three days. This still depends on your weight. At average, it may take a week before every trace of the drug to leave your body. While the body flushes out the drug, withdrawal symptoms might occur. Longer use of the drug will make the withdrawal symptoms stronger.

Methods to Getting Rid of Opiates in the Body

With opiates being addictive, some people might have abused the drug for long. Others would have used opiates only for short periods. Here, we have methods for both conditions.

Short Term Use

Here are methods to help get rid of opiates from your body if you have only used the drug for a short period.

Detox Drinks

Our liver and kidneys filter out the chemicals in our system. Detox drinks are supplements to help our liver and kidneys in doing their job. This way, opiates are flushed out from your system almost naturally. However, it may take more than a day to complete this process.

Water Cleansing

This is the simplest way to cleanse your body. Drinking around 3 liters of water every day will help your body dispense any toxins or chemicals that it doesn't need. These chemicals will come out as pee or sweat. Exercising while cleansing will help as well. This may take two days to fully cleanse your body of opiates or any other toxins from your body. Another way to help this method is by drinking diuretics. Diuretics are liquids that will encourage peeing. Green tea is an example of a diuretic. Diuretics can cause dehydration. Be sure to drink plenty of water along with the diuretics.

Long Term Use

Here are methods to help get rid of opiates after using them for prolonged periods.

Tapering Off

This method is to slowly take you off the drug. Take lesser and lesser dosages of the opiate over a while. It’s best to seek your doctor’s advice. Planning this method out with your doctor may help avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Detox Clinics

There are clinics that can help flush out toxins from your body. They can also help manage the withdrawal symptoms. Their procedures may be expensive, but they can also help you in avoiding future relapses.

Rehabilitation Centers

For people who are dependent on opiates, it’s advisable to enter a rehabilitation center. These centers will provide 24-hour care while getting rid of the drugs in your system. Their program can span for as short as a week, to as long as months. Every day, we introduce our body to chemicals and toxins. Fortunately, we have many ways to rid of them if they’re not needed.

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How to Remove Opiates From Your System

Opiates prescribed for people who have issues with pain. Sometimes, it's used for a cough, or a muscle relaxant. Either way, people take them for their intended reasons. Sometimes, it reaches to a point where it's too much. Users may want to consider stopping the painkillers and seeking alternative, healthier options.

A Few Things To Keep In Mind

Opiates, when compared to other prescription drugs, have relatively low toxicity. This much is true. However, using it, in the long run, will cause long-term damage to the nervous system. Opiates also have side-effects such as constipation and trouble breathing. When you stop taking opiates, you’ll very likely experience withdrawal symptoms. You’ll experience this around 6-12 hours after stopping. Withdrawal symptoms can include the following:

• Sweating
• Nervousness
• Rashes
• Shaking
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Withdrawal can last for several days, to weeks, depending on your length of usage. People who have taken opiates for more than a month, tend to have lasting effects that span more than two weeks. Lastly, before considering any options to rid yourself of opiates, always consult a doctor. Doing anything with opiates involved needs proper medical advice. They can offer advice on proven methods, suggest supplements, or refer you to a proper specialist.

Opiate Quitting Methods

There are methods you can do, in the comforts of your home. It’s still recommended to see a specialist before doing any of this, and if possible, get someone you trust to help you.

• Cold Turkey Method

This is not a recommended method. It’s only stated because some people have no other alternatives. Going cold turkey means you stop completely. This causes an abrupt change in the body, ensuring withdrawal. If this is the method you choose, prepare. Seek a physician and find someone to help you through the process. There are also over the counter meds that can help reduce the withdrawal effects.

• Tapering Off

The recommended do-at-home method. Simply put, you’ll gradually reduce the amount you take, over a period of time. If you take three tablets a day, reduce it to two and a half after a week, then two, and so on until you stop. This is a slow process, but it has the benefit of avoiding withdrawal. Do it long enough, slow enough and you may avoid withdrawal completely.

• Suboxone

Consider Suboxone as a pseudo-opiate. It's an opiate without all the effects. Its purpose is to trick the brain into thinking that it still has opiates. There are several methods to using Suboxone, but eventually, users must taper it off. Suboxone can still cause withdrawal symptoms since it's still an opiate.

• Detox Clinics

There are clinics and hospitals that offer detox procedures. These procedures can take up to three days, then a week of recovery. The reception has mixed opinions though. Some reported that they are opiate-free with no urges. Others stated they experienced withdrawal symptoms after a week.

• Rehabilitation Centers

These centers specialize in assisting people undergoing withdrawal. Rehab centers are usually residential, meaning you live there for a month or so. Rehab centers offer a controlled environment, controlled meals and medication to maximize your chances of recovery.

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Detox Durations for Opiates

People who have pain issues are often prescribed opiates. These drugs can dramatically, or virtually remove pain and provide a feeling of good-wellbeing. Its effectiveness is so great, that some people become dependent. This happens both physically and psychologically, and before the person knows it, they become "nonfunctional" without the substance. This could practically mean that the person is enslaved to the drug. In these cases, the best choice is to quit. There are many methods to choose from, ranging from cold-turkey to rapid-detox procedures. With that said, how long does it take to fully detoxify from opiates?

Factors that Affect Detox Duration

This mostly applies to natural detox procedures. Methods like cold-turkey and tapering off's total duration will be affected by these variables. They are divided into two categories. First are the factors behind the drug, the second is the factors behind the individual.

Factors Behind the Drug

• Length and Frequency of Use

Detox durations are significantly shorter for people who take it once a week, for three months. When compared than to someone who consumes around two pills every day for six months, the detox time is much longer.

• How The Drug Is Administered

This can affect how long the drug will linger in the body. The fastest intake and detox time is when the drug is taken intravenously. Other ways to take the drugs are in pill form, suppositories, and patches.

• The Type of Opiate

Heroin is considered the most dangerous since it takes significantly more time to detox. Heroin has a speedy and strong effect, but lasts a short time and quickly presents withdrawal symptoms. In comparison, Codeine has tamer withdrawals, despite having quick and strong effects.

Factors Behind the Individual

• Individual’s Overall Mass and Size

Fat and muscles can affect the detox duration. Traces of opiates can be stored in fat cells, so people with larger fat cells may take longer to detox than those with less. People with good muscle mass often have a high resting metabolism. These people process chemicals at a higher rate than those with lower.

• Hydration and Urination

There are people who pee more frequently than others. The more urine you pass, the more toxins you rid from your body. Hydration also plays a role here, as more hydrated bodies tend to sweat and urinate toxins out from their bodies

• Liver and Kidney Health

People who don’t drink often have healthier livers than those who do. A healthy liver can efficiently process the opiates and turn them into non-toxic compounds. Same goes for kidneys. People with healthy kidneys filter blood far more efficiently.

Average Time Frames Per Drug

Opiates come in different formulations. These are the average durations when the drug is completely gone from the body.

Morphine

• Urine: 2-3 days
• Saliva: 4 days
• Blood: 12 hours
• Hair: 90 days

Codeine

• Urine: 1-2 days
• Saliva: 1-4 days
• Blood: 1 day
• Hair: 90 Days

Hydrocodone and Oxycodone

• Urine: 2-4 days
• Saliva: 12-36 hours
• Blood: 6-8 hours
• Hair: 90 days

Heroin

• Urine: 2-7 days
• Saliva: 3-5 hours
• Blood: 6-8 hours
• Hair: 90 days

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Drugs Known as Opiates

Opiates are commonly used as painkillers and sedatives. The compound that makes up opiates chiefly comes from the poppy plant. This compound has been used since medieval times and we further refined as time went by. It was then known as opium, which was shortly outlawed. It's addictive effects lessened everyone's productivity, and even then, it caused a lot of health issues. Opiates relieve pain, and they stimulate the brain's reward center. This causes an overall feeling of good well-being like nothing is wrong with the world. This makes the drug an excellent stress buster, and a good recreational drug. That should not be the case. All opiates must be used with a medical prescription. Any misuse of it can be penalized by the law. Opiates exist for people who really need them and should stay that way.

What are these opiates?

Hydrocodone

A prescription drug is commonly given to people with mild to severe pain issues. They can come in refill prescriptions for people with long-term pain problems like muscle infractions and joint injuries. Hydrocodone is often sold with other meds mixed into it, like ibuprofen or other calming agents. This is categorized as a Schedule 3 drug, which means it has slightly low potential for abuse.

Oxycodone

More powerful than hydrocodone, but is often argued to be just as. Oxycodone is given for acute pain due to injury or surgery. Unlike hydrocodone, they cannot come in refill prescriptions. Instead, they must be obtained per prescription. This is classified as a Schedule 2 drug. This means it has good potential to be abused.

Morphine

One of the more well-known opiates. Often administered intravenously, morphine is used to relieve pain for cancer patients and other terminally ill patients. Morphine has the longest effect among all the opiates. Also a Schedule 2 drug.

Codeine

The most affordable among the group. Codeine acts fast but leaves just as fast. it's commonly prescribed as pills and can be prescribed in refills, to be used as needed. Codeine is usually paired with other meds as a booster, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and guaifenesin. It's classified as Schedule 3, with a moderate risk of abuse.

Heroin

One of the more dangerous drugs out there. This opiate has powerful effects but doesn't last as long. The effects are significant enough for people to become quickly dependent. Another factor is that heroin creates stronger withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to more use. This is classified as a Schedule 1 Drug. Rightly so, as it has a significant risk of abuse.

What Else You Need to Know

Opiates slow nerve activity. This can cause slowed breathing and slightly lesser lung capacity. People with lung issues should take extreme care when taking them. Pregnant women should also avoid them as much as possible. Opiates have been known to affect an infant's brain growth, among other effects. Opiates can also cause constipation, also due to its ability to slow down nerve functions. Lastly, always consult your physician when dealing with opiates. If you believe you need a higher dose, don’t increase the amount. Instead, see if your doctor can provide alternatives.

Drugs Known as Opiates Read more on: https://detoxnear.me

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