Tapering off opioids is a method of drug cessation that involves gradual dose decreases until you can safely quit the medication. Although it is among the most common ways to get off opioids, tapering off doesn’t always lead to sustainable results. In fact, you may relapse even with your doctor’s guidance on how to taper off opioids properly.
This article will cover the primary information on how to taper off opioids, explain why this method rarely works, and introduce you to ANR, a revolutionary treatment that treats opioid dependence within days.
What Is Opioid Use Disorder, and What Are the Signs and Symptoms of It?
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a form of substance use disorder marked by ongoing opioid use despite negative consequences.
In other words, people with OUD—or opioid addiction—experience an overwhelming urge to take opioids that hinders their ability to control opioid use. They cannot quit these potent pain medications, even when they harm their health, relationships, or careers.
Some tell-tale signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder include:
- Neglecting responsibilities at work or home
- Struggling to quit opioids or decrease their dosage despite wanting to
- Spending considerable amounts of time using or trying to obtain opioids
- Attempting to get opioids in any possible way, including stealing, forging prescriptions, etc.
- Abusing opioids (e.g., taking them in higher doses, more frequently, or for a longer time than prescribed)
Opioid use disorder is a major risk factor for opioid overdose, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Therefore, if you recognize yourself or a loved one in the above-mentioned signs, it’s in your best interest to seek professional opioid addiction treatment.
Commonly Used Opioids
Some examples of commonly used opioids include:
With over 23.5 million prescriptions issued to almost 8 million Americans, acetaminophen/hydrocodone (Vicodin®) was the most commonly prescribed opioid medication in the United States in 2022. Meanwhile, the second most widely prescribed opioid was oxycodone.
That year, both hydrocodone and oxycodone products were among the most frequently misused prescription pain relievers among Americans aged 12 and older. A staggering 75.8% of pain reliever misusers—or 6.2 million Americans—misused these particular drugs.
However, fentanyl is the deadliest opioid by far. Between 2016 and 2022 alone, synthetic opioids—primarily fentanyl—have claimed the lives of more than 315,000 Americans.
When Is the Time to Stop Using Opioids?
The time to stop using opioids is when you no longer need them to control pain. All opioids have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction that increases with prolonged use. Therefore, it’s best to stop taking them as soon as possible.
If you experience severe side effects after taking opioids, such as breathing difficulties, you should also consider quitting them.
Naturally, how to get off opioids safely should be your top priority. If you’re wondering how to get off opioids by yourself, keep in mind that in most cases, discontinuing these medications on your own can be very dangerous.
Your body can build up tolerance to opioids and become dependent on them rather quickly. If you’ve been prescribed them for less than a week, you’ll likely be able to stop taking them once you finish the course.
However, if you’ve been taking opioids for longer than that, consult with your doctor. They can guide you on how to wean off opioids and reduce the risk of distressing opioid withdrawal symptoms.
On this note, let’s discuss how to taper off opioids and what exactly this entails.
What Is Tapering off Opioids?
Tapering off opioids refers to the process of gradually reducing drug dosage. This is supposed to decrease the risk of severe opioid withdrawal and help you eventually get off your medication.
If you’re wondering how to taper off opioids at home, know that this isn’t something you should attempt to do on your own. Tapering off opioids without medical supervision can take a massive toll on your physical and mental health, increasing the risk of intense withdrawal symptoms, complications, and relapse.
Your doctor can guide you on how to taper off opioids safely and create a tapering schedule that best suits your unique circumstances.
How long it takes to get off opioids with this method largely depends on the extent of your opioid use. The greater the doses, duration, and frequency of opioid use, the more time you’ll need to get off them. Therefore, the opioid tapering process can last from several weeks to years.
Although tapering off opioids is often recommended as a safe way to get off this medication, it isn’t risk-free. Furthermore, in the long run, it isn’t effective, especially for those who have been taking opioids for a prolonged time. In other words, if you’re battling opioid dependence, tapering off opioids isn’t likely to yield lasting results.
Now that we’ve discussed the basics of how to taper off opioids, let’s see why this method generally isn’t effective.
Why the Traditional Tapering Off Method Doesn’t Work
The traditional tapering-off method doesn’t work because it doesn’t treat the root of opioid dependence, which is the opioid-induced neurochemical imbalance. This method only attempts to help your body get used to lower opioid doses. For most people with opioid dependence and OUD, this is not only ineffective but also painful.
In particular, tapering off opioids can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, exacerbate pain, and increase the risk of overdose. Here’s how:
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
While opioid withdrawal often follows drug discontinuation, it can also occur with gradually decreasing doses, making tapering off opioids rather challenging.
Depending on the extent of your dependence, even a small dosage reduction can trigger withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, muscle aches, cravings, sleep disturbances, and so forth. Tragically, many people refrain from seeking help out of fear of such symptoms.
Additionally, tapering off opioids can make you susceptible to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This condition is characterized by withdrawal symptoms that persist for weeks, months, and even years after quitting opioids.
Exacerbation of Pain
People on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) may find that opioid tapering worsens pain. A study done by Ajay Manhapra et al. suggests that tapering off opioids exacerbates pain and pre-existing psychiatric problems in chronic pain patients, increasing the risk of illicit opioid use and OUD.
Tapering off opioids can also exacerbate other medical conditions. Researchers from the University of California found that opioid tapering is associated with an increase in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Plus, it is linked to decreased adherence to medications for comorbid conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension.
High Overdose Risk
Given that tapering off opioids can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, PAWS, and worsen pain, it’s hardly surprising that it also puts people at an increased risk of overdose. Some people may take opioids in higher doses or use illicit opioids like heroin in an attempt to make themselves feel better. Unfortunately, this exposes them to a high risk of overdose and death.
Furthermore, even if you follow all of your doctor’s instructions on how to taper off opioids safely, opioid tapering will not reverse the damage opioids cause to your central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, you may still experience intense cravings for opioids, even after getting off them. This considerably increases the risk of relapse and subsequent overdose.
Opioid detox, i.e., ridding your body of opioids, whether it is done by tapering or another method, isn’t nearly enough to treat opioid dependence. To overcome it once and for all and get off opioids for good, seek professional opioid dependence treatment that addresses the root causes of the problem.
ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence and OUD
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an innovative treatment for opioid dependence and OUD developed by Dr. Andre Waismann. Unlike traditional methods, including tapering off opioids, ANR eradicates opioid dependence by addressing its neurobiological causes.
This ultra-modern treatment recognizes that opioid dependence stems from the chemical changes that occur in the CNS due to repeated use.
Most importantly, it reverses these changes by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system while the patient is sedated. This is achieved by allowing the brain to resume endorphin production while decreasing that of opioid receptors.
Simply put, ANR treatment is highly effective because it returns the brain to its pre-dependence state. Because of this, you won’t have to rely on opioid-replacement drugs, such as Suboxone®, after undergoing it or suffer from ongoing withdrawal symptoms. Once the treatment is completed, you can forget about cravings and return to a normal, opioid-free life.
4 Benefits of Undergoing ANR Treatment
The greatest benefits of undergoing ANR treatment include fast recovery, no withdrawal symptoms, an exceptionally high success rate, and strict adherence to the highest patient safety standards.
Let’s discuss the advantages of ANR treatment in more detail:
#1. Fast Recovery
ANR facilitates fast recovery from opioid dependence by targeting the root of the problem. The therapeutic goal of this treatment is neuro-equilibrium, which is achieved through the modulation of the endorphin system. Due to its comprehensive approach, ANR can help you make a long-lasting recovery from opioid dependence within a matter of days.
The procedure takes around 4–6 hours. After undergoing it, you’ll soon be discharged from the hospital. The hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours on average.
#2. No Withdrawal Symptoms
ANR negates the risk of ongoing withdrawal symptoms by resolving the root of opioid dependence. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about persistent cravings or PAWS after undergoing it.
Better yet, ANR is carried out under sedation, meaning you won’t experience any discomfort associated with opioid withdrawals. As such, this treatment is virtually painless.
#3. Patient Safety
ANR is safe and suitable even for those with co-occurring conditions, as each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their medical history and needs.
Most importantly, it is performed by a team of highly experienced board-certified professionals, including anesthesiologists, in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment.
#4. High Success Rate
As the first and only treatment that targets the underlying causes of opioid dependence, ANR has an unparalleled success rate. The secret behind its success is that it attacks the root of the problem, thereby eliminating withdrawal symptoms. As such, this treatment fosters long-lasting recovery and negates the risk of relapse.
ANR has helped close to 25,000 people worldwide break the cycle of opioid abuse and dependence safely and effectively, including those who have tried other methods in the past to no avail.
Here’s the inspiring story of Taylor, who reclaimed her life with ANR after years of struggling with opioid dependence and unsuccessful opioid tapering:
Take the first step toward an opioid-free life today by contacting us for a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
Hopefully, this article helped you better understand not only how to taper off opioids safely but also why this method rarely works.
Now, let’s summarize what we covered today:
- Opioid use disorder is a treatable condition marked by opioid use that continues despite negative consequences.
- Tapering off opioids on your own is very risky, but even when done under medical supervision, it can still lead to severe withdrawal symptoms and exacerbate pain.
- ANR is an ultra-modern treatment that facilitates lasting recovery from opioid dependence by reversing opioid-induced neurochemical changes.
How to Taper off Opioids FAQ
Opioids do not necessarily need to be tapered. While opioid tapering is a common method of drug discontinuation, opting for ANR—an innovative opioid dependence treatment—enables you to get off opioids without tapering off them. Once your nervous system is brought back to normal, you will no longer need opioids, making this treatment far more effective than tapering.
You should never stop taking opioids abruptly. Quitting these drugs “cold turkey” can lead to severe opioid withdrawal symptoms and complications. If you aren’t sure how to get off opioids safely, consult your doctor.
Long-term opioid use is considered to last longer than 90 days. However, opioids can cause dependence even faster than that, especially if you take them frequently or in high doses. For your own safety, you should take opioids for the minimum time possible.
Yes, ANR is significantly safer than tapering off opioids. Since it addresses the root of opioid dependence, it eliminates withdrawal symptoms, negating the risk of relapse. Meanwhile, tapering off opioids does not resolve the neurobiological causes of dependence. Therefore, even if you taper off opioids under close medical supervision, you may still relapse.
