Hello
I would like to know a bit more about opioid withdrawal as I'm trying to understand how various neurobiological mechanisms are implicated in the experience of pleasure. In essence, what I want to know is:
Can a person going through opioid withdrawal experience euphoric feelings or strong pleasure (when listening to music for example) or does the withdrawal completely block these? To elaborate a bit more...
The state of being in withdrawal itsel is obviously highly dysphoric and non-euphoric. But is it possible to induce pleasure by actively engaging in pleasurable activities like, say, getting an orgasm, listening to some euphoric music of your choice or eating a bunch of sweet chocolate?
It is my understanding that going through opioid withdrawal is partially the opposite of having an opioid high: whereas when high on opioids you can just lie down doing nothing and feel awesome, in withdrawal in this same scenario you feel like shit. If the opioid high is strong enough, there is very little reason to engage in rewarding activities as just being and doing nothing is so rewarding already. So how does this relate to the withdrawal - obviously doing stuff in general is very healthy as it gets the mind off the withdrawal and is healthy for the body as well, but is it possible to feel euphoria without drugs when going through opioid withdrawal? Take your favorite song that normally makes you feel euphoric without any drug - how does it work when you're in withdrawal? Also, how does acute vs. post-acute withdrawal syndromes compare in this sense?
Enormous appreciation for anyone who answers - I truly need this knowledge.
And finally: all of you dealing with withdrawal, I wish you a lot of strength. I have never experienced drug withdrawal but I have nevertheless been in an incredibly deep, dark place for many months. Better times are awaiting for you.
Thanks!
Vierailija