![]() ![]() Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pocket guide: Tapering opioids for chronic pain.He or she may recommend alternate pain medication, especially if you have a chronic pain condition. Let your doctor know whether you had any trouble tapering off opioids in the past. Discuss all your medication and pain management options, including pros and cons, with your doctor. If you've successfully tapered off opioid pain medication in the past, taking opioids for a brief time - with guidance from your doctor - may be appropriate. Someday you may face an acute problem such as injury or surgery. In addition, you may find it helpful to join a substance misuse support group (for example, Narcotics Anonymous) or talk with your religious or spiritual advisor. Depending on your pattern of medication use, your doctor may recommend continued chemical dependence counseling after you've completed your opioid taper. Counseling can help you learn strategies to cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse and avoid opioid use. Your doctor may recommend combining your taper with counseling on medication use. Your health care team can assist and encourage your success. Talk with your doctor if the taper process becomes difficult. Tell yourself "I can do this" or "This is only temporary." Use distraction (for example, humor or talking to someone with a positive outlook).Do something to relax (for example, practice relaxation techniques, listen to music or read).Exercise in moderation (for example, walking).Use deep-breathing and stretching exercises, as instructed.Drink more water or other liquids than usual.Unless you're instructed otherwise, you may also find these tips helpful: Follow all instructions you receive about managing withdrawal symptoms. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, tell a member of your health care team right away. Muscle cramping or aches and joint pain.Goose bumps on the skin, chills or sweating.Signs and symptoms of withdrawal include: Tapering can help reduce or eliminate withdrawal signs and symptoms. Symptoms may vary, depending on several factors, such as which medication you're taking and the length of use. Some people experience withdrawal when they stop or reduce the use of opioid medication. If you feel the need to supplement, contact your health care team. Don't supplement your taper with additional medications from home, visits to the emergency room, or with alcohol or street drugs. You may be tempted to take more medication than your taper requires. It also allows you to practice new skills to manage pain and other chronic symptoms. A step-by-step reduction in your dose helps this process go smoothly and helps ease the discomfort you may feel as you stop taking opioids. Although you may be eager to reach your goal, your body needs time to adjust to lower levels of opioids, and then to none at all. You're much more likely to succeed if you partner with your doctor and your health care team, plan your taper schedule, manage your symptoms, and learn alternative ways to cope with pain.įollow your withdrawal plan closely, especially your doctor's instructions about how and when to take medications during the taper. Stopping opioids can be difficult, but you can do it. Depending on the type and dose of the drug you've been taking and how long you've been taking the drug, it may take weeks or even months to gradually and safely reduce your dose and get off your opioid medication. When it's time for you to stop taking opioids, ask for your doctor's help to develop a medication withdrawal plan (called a taper) that gradually reduces the amount of medication you take. Opioid withdrawal can be dangerous, and symptoms can be severe. Common signs that it's time to get off opioids include serious side effects, reduced pain relief from the same dose of medications over time (tolerance), or behaviors that raise concerns about misuse, abuse or addiction.ĭon't try to go cold turkey on your own. If you've taken opioid medications for more than two weeks, you may need to stop using these medications as soon as possible to prevent serious consequences. Ask your doctor if you're not sure when you can stop your medications. If you've taken opioids for less than two weeks, you should be able to simply stop these medications as soon as your prescribed course of pills runs out, if not before. ![]()
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