eli5 I’m looking for a visual on what happens inside your body during opiate withdrawal. So far I picture my brain screaming at me wanting food.
In: Chemistry
That’s sort of correct, but on the mental side of it. Essentially your brain starts to see the drugs like food or water, so trying to cold turkey it is similar to trying to starve yourself, at least mentally.
Physically it starts off with a runny nose, watery eyes and excessive sneezing (being in jail you hear constant sneezing, six or seven tomes in a row). Your muscles start to feel tight, especially your arms and legs, but also your back. Some people have stomach issues and will throw up, but that doesn’t happen to me. After a day or so since the last dose your legs get super restless to the point it almost hurts to stay still. It doesn’t really cause pain exactly, it’s more like you are the most uncomfortable you could ever be. Sitting still is terrible, you won’t be able to eat or sleep and you’ll just wander around miserable.
Luckily it only lasts 3 or 4 days but you spend the whole time knowing that you can make it all go away so easily. Most addicts don’t do this by choice so your probably either unable to get the money for more dope, or you can’t find anyone that has any. But that thought is always on your mind and it drives you crazy. The easiest withdrawals I ever had were actually in jail since you know there’s nothing you can do about it. I’ve done this shit dozens, maybe hundreds of times. I didn’t decide to quit until the heroin disappeared and all that was left was fentanyl. Fentanyl is even worse since it only lasts maybe 2/3 the time heroin does, so your sick more often. It also just wasn’t a good high, not worth risking death.
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