Final answer:
Withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids, including morphine, heroin, and methadone, resemble a severe flu and include nausea, muscle aches, and anxiety. Methadone is used to alleviate these symptoms in a controlled setting.
Step-by-step explanation:
Opioids, such as morphine, heroin, and methadone, are substances that can lead to physical dependence and result in withdrawal symptoms when their use is abruptly discontinued. These withdrawal symptoms can be understood as the body's reaction to the absence of the drug, often characterized by an experience opposite to the effects the drug provides. For instance, opioids typically have analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, and thus, their withdrawal can present with significant pain among other symptoms.
Common withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids mirror those of a severe flu and include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches and pains
- Agitation and irritability
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and depression
These symptoms, although not life-threatening as the withdrawal from depressants like alcohol and barbiturates could be, are extremely unpleasant and could potentially inspire continued misuse as individuals might misinterpret withdrawal pain for the pain that led to the initial opioid use.
Methadone is a synthetic opioid used in treatment to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. It is less euphorigenic compared to heroin, and its administration is often overseen in methadone clinics as part of a controlled program to help individuals taper off opioids more gradually.