Substance Abuse: Drug Side Effects & Recovery Risks

Substance abuse carries heavy social and physical costs, including long-term effects on fetal development and cardiovascular health. Navigating withdrawal and drug testing requires expert health insights.

Opiate Withdrawal Stages

Published Aug,14 2017 | By Heather Gloria

Opiate drugs include illegal drugs such as heroin and prescription drugs such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and others. Symptoms of withdrawal may result from the discontinuation of opiate drugs or reduction in a habituated dose.

Heather Gloria began writing professionally in 1990. Her work has appeared in several professional and peer-reviewed publications including "Nutrition in Clinical Practice." Gloria earned both a Bachelor of Science in food science and human nutrition from the University of Illinois. She also maintains the "registered dietitian" credential and her professional interests include therapeutic nutrition, preventive medicine and women's health.