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Kadian Addiction: Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal, and Treatment

What is Kadian?

Kadian is a prescription opioid medication that is used to treat severe, long-lasting pain. It’s only prescribed to people who have not found relief through other opioid medications. It was manufactured as an extended-release version of morphine. However, contrary to morphine’s effects (which don’t last very long), Kadian can relieve pain for up to 24 hours. Plus, it works just as well as morphine.1 These factors contribute to the prevalence of Kadian addiction and abuse.

Kadian is taken once daily and it’s an oral tablet. The typical dosage is 100 mg per day, which could be extremely dangerous to someone who’s not used to taking powerful prescription opioids. Depending on the situation, it could cause an opioid overdose. Not surprisingly, Kadian is a Schedule II substance in the U.S.

Unfortunately, Kadian’s long-lasting and powerful pain-relieving effects have made this drug a popular one for misuse. Kadian is rarely prescribed due to its powerful effects, but it’s commonly misused by people who are trying to counteract their opioid drug tolerance. Over time, people who misuse it will become more tolerant to its effects and may seek stronger drugs, like heroin. As a result, doctors typically monitor patients taking Kadian very closely due to the risks of dependence and addiction, but misuse of this drug still happens.

If you are prescribed Kadian by a doctor, you should always follow the recommended dosage. However, if you believe you’re addicted to Kadian or you have a loved one that is, you should seek professional help right away. Kadian addiction and abuse are very dangerous.

How Common Is Kadian Addiction?

Kadian addiction and abuse may be less common than other opioids like hydrocodone because it’s not as frequently prescribed. However, people may still misuse it in a variety of ways. For example, Kadian abuse might look like this:

  • Taking someone else’s prescription that was not intended for you.
  • Combining Kadian with other addictive substances to enhance its effects.
  • Taking larger or more frequent doses of Kadian than prescribed.

Although Kadian is helpful to many people in severe pain (like cancer patients), misusing it in any way can be very harmful to your health. Additionally, it can cause physical tolerance, dependence, and addiction, which can be very difficult to overcome.

What Are the Side Effects of Kadian Abuse?

Certain side effects of Kadian are to be expected if you are taking them as prescribed. For example, common side effects include:2,3

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth

If you are misusing Kadian by taking larger doses than necessary, you could experience more severe side effects. For example, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Confusion
  • Stomach pain
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Blurry vision
  • Nausea
  • Extreme sleepiness
  • Mood swings
  • Fainting
  • Seizures

Additionally, non-oral abuse of Kadian can cause the following health problems:

  • Body tissue death
  • Frequent infections
  • Pulmonary granulomas (lumps of immune cells that form in your body in areas where there is infection or inflammation)
  • Increased risk of heart problems like endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valve) and valvular heart disease (when a valve in the heart is damaged or diseased)

Consequently, because Kadian is such a potent opioid drug, the risk of overdose is higher. Symptoms of opioid overdose include:4

  • Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sleepiness
  • Inability to respond or wake up
  • Limp muscles
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Small pupils
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea
  • Fainting

If you think someone might be having an opioid overdose, you should call 911 right away and stay with them until help arrives.

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What Are Common Signs and Symptoms of Kadian Addiction?

Just because someone is misusing Kadian, doesn’t mean they’re addicted. However, if you or a loved one is addicted to Kadian, there will be a few clear signs. For example, some common signs of prescription opioid addiction include:

  • Not being able to control your drug use
  • Compulsively using Kadian or other opioids (even when it’s not medically necessary)
  • Having strong cravings and urges to take opioids
  • Continuing to misuse prescription opioids despite the physical and psychological harm it’s causing
  • Feeling like you need to take opioids to feel normal
  • Needing higher doses of opioids to achieve the effects you want (this is called developing a tolerance)
  • “Doctor shopping” or seeing multiple doctors to get opioid prescriptions
  • Losing interest in typical hobbies or activities

What Are Kadian Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you are physically dependent on Kadian or are addicted to it, you’ll probably experience uncomfortable Kadian withdrawal symptoms when you miss a dose or try to stop using it. Kadian produces strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms, so you may need professional help to recover. Unfortunately, without medical assistance, you’re much more likely to start using opioids again due to the discomfort.

With this in mind, if you’re addicted to Kadian and you try to quit, you might experience some of the following uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms:5

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Excessive sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Watery eyes and nose
  • Diarrhea

Can You Just Stop Taking Kadian?

No, if you’ve been misusing prescription opioids and/or Kadian for several weeks, months, or years, it’s probably not safe for you to just stop taking them. In the same vein, you’ll likely need professional detox and rehab to stop using opioid drugs. If your body is accustomed to chronic opioid abuse, stopping suddenly could cause severe and long-lasting withdrawal symptoms. As a result, it’s best to detox in a medical detox center where professional and certified staff can ensure that you’re safe, comfortable, and healthy throughout Kadian withdrawal.

How Long Does It Take for Kadian to Get Out Of Your System?

Kadian will stay in your system for about 60 to 72 hours but the exact length of time will depend on individual factors.6 For example, the following factors can affect how long Kadian stays in your system:

  • How long you’ve been taking Kadian
  • Your dosage
  • Your hydration levels
  • Your body mass
  • Your tolerance
  • Your metabolic rate and other individual factors
  • If you’ve taken any other drugs or alcohol with Kadian
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How Can I Stop Using Kadian?

Medical professionals never recommend quitting powerful opioids like Kadian cold turkey. Moreover, if you do this, you could experience severe and even life-threatening opioid withdrawal symptoms. Instead, the safest way to stop using Kadian is to get professional help. A medical detox program is designed to help you stop using drugs by providing medical and clinical support.

During detox, you’ll be closely monitored by a team of nurses and doctors. They’ll administer medication when needed to make sure you are comfortable and safe during Kadian withdrawal. Additionally, some detox centers also offer additional therapeutic services, like gentle guided yoga and meditation, individual counseling, or H&I meetings (which introduce clients to the 12-Step Program).

Once you complete detox, you can choose to go to rehab where you’ll learn how to make positive life changes to sustain your sobriety. Continuing with your treatment is an essential part of maintaining your sobriety after detox and detox alone isn’t a cure for addiction. However, it’s a great way to establish a foundation in recovery and get effective support through the early stages of sobriety.

Inpatient Drug Rehab vs. Outpatient Drug Rehab for Kadian Addiction

If you decide to go to a Kadian rehab program after detox, you have lots of options. The type of rehab program you attend will depend on your treatment needs, drug abuse history, and financial circumstances. For example, here are some treatment options you might consider after detox:

Residential rehab

With residential Kadian rehab, you’ll live at the rehab center while you complete your treatment program. Consequently, you’ll stick to a daily predetermined schedule that’s designed to provide structure. It should be noted, your activities during rehab are all intended to help you establish a stable life in recovery, address the root causes of your addiction, and make positive life changes that will help you stay sober. Of course, you’ll have limited access to the outside world, but this is beneficial and will allow you to focus on your recovery.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP)

An intensive outpatient Kadian rehab program offers regular outpatient meetings several times a week. During treatment, you’ll attend these meetings with peers in recovery. Also, you’ll be required to attend individual counseling meetings with a therapist each week. Typically, you can schedule your IOP meetings around your work schedule or school schedule. That way, you can work toward recovery and maintain personal responsibilities at home, work, or school.

Online IOP

Comparatively, online IOP is a highly flexible option for Kadian rehab. It offers remote online treatment for addiction that you can complete from the comfort of your home or elsewhere. This option is great if you have to travel frequently for work, live in a remote location, or you prefer not to (or cannot) attend in-person treatment for health reasons.

Regardless of which type of rehab option you choose, during Kadian rehab, you’ll work closely with addiction treatment experts to overcome your substance abuse. Furthermore, a reputable rehab program will use evidence-based addiction treatment methods to help you. For example, they might use one or more of the following modalities:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Contingency management
  • Family therapy
  • Group counseling and individual counseling
  • Specialized therapies like art therapy and music therapy

How Much Does Kadian Rehab Cost?

The cost of Kadian rehab will vary depending on certain factors like:

  • Where the rehab center is located
  • What type of amenities the rehab center has
  • What type of treatment is offered
  • The available payment options

Additionally, some Kadian rehab centers will work with your health insurance provider, which can make treatment more affordable. However, some facilities may also accept other forms of payment or provide alternative payment options like:

What Are Continued Care Options for Kadian Addiction?

After Kadian rehab, you might also want to continue your treatment with a sober living or aftercare program. Along with continued accountability, these programs are designed to provide additional recovery support services. Consequently, they’ll help you transition out of rehab and back into society as a sober person.

Sober Living Programs

Sober living programs offer safe, supportive houses and apartments for men, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals in recovery. They are often shared residential group homes that house multiple residents. However, private rooms may also be an option depending on the home.

Additionally, most sober living homes offer recovery support services. Undoubtedly, these services are meant to help residents stay on track and establish an independent, sober life for themselves. For example, a sober living home may offer:

  • Regular drug testing
  • Employment assistance
  • Educational planning
  • Individualized recovery programming
  • Peer recovery support program

Equally important, sober living homes vary in cost. But, it often depends on the home’s location, amenities, and room options. Payment is typically collected every month, similar to rent.

Aftercare Programs

Aftercare is intended for people who are in long-term recovery from Kadian addiction and other substance use disorders. They offer weekly group sessions with sober peers that are facilitated by a licensed treatment provider. Aftercare meeting discussion topics range from relapse prevention to talks about triggers, high-risk situations, and more.

Get Help for Kadian Addiction Today

If you’re addicted to Kadian or other prescription opioid medications, there is help available. With the right treatment and support, you can recover and get your life back. Call (512) 363-5914 today or contact us online to learn more about our Kadian treatment and recovery support services.

Nova Recovery Center offers a large range of substance abuse treatment services: detox, residential, outpatient and sober living.

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Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation. One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.

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