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Everything You Need to Know About Opioid Withdrawal

People who are dependent on opioids can feel very sick and uncomfortable when they stop using the drug. If you or someone you care about is dealing with opioid abuse or addiction, learning about opioid withdrawal can help you manage the symptoms and kickstart the recovery process.

If you need emergency detox and same-day rehab admission, call 866.559.4256.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are drugs that include illegal substances like heroin and fentanyl and prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Doctors prescribe opioids to treat serious or long-term pain. Even when taken as directed by a doctor, using opioids for a long time can make people dependent on them. This means they can feel very sick if they stop using the drug.

People who use illegal opioids or misuse prescription opioids – like taking someone else’s medication or using more than prescribed – have a higher risk of developing an addiction (opioid use disorder). This means they keep using opioids even though it causes problems in their life.

Opioid Addiction Statistics

2022 data from SAMHSA shows that:

  • 8.9 million U.S. adults used opioids in 2022.
  • 2.9 million reported past month use of opioids.
  • 5.8 million had an opioid addiction.
  • 712,000 U.S. adults got inpatient treatment for opioid addiction.
  • 2 million U.S. adults got outpatient treatment for opioid addiction.

What Is Opioid Withdrawal?

Opioid withdrawal occurs when you stop taking opioids after ongoing use. It can affect you in different ways and can be very uncomfortable.

Opioids attach to receptors on nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. They disrupt pain messages and make your brain release dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel good.

When you use opioids for a long time, your body gets used to them. This is called tolerance, meaning you need more of the drug to feel the same effects. Dependence happens when your body relies on the drug to feel normal. If you stop taking opioids, you can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as.

  • Feeling very anxious or nervous
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Sweating a lot
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea

These symptoms can be tough to handle, but they usually go away after a few days to a week. Getting help from a doctor or treatment center can make managing these symptoms safer and easier.

An image of a woman dealing with opioid withdrawal symptoms

How Long Does Opioid Withdrawal Last?

Opioid withdrawal can last for several days to weeks. Here’s what you can expect:

Early stage: cravings begin

  • Timing: Cravings usually start a few hours after the last dose.
  • Symptoms: Anxiety, a strong desire for opioids, frustration, runny nose, yawning, sensitivity to light, and trouble sleeping.
  • Duration: This stage can last a few hours to a day.

Peak stage: intense withdrawal symptoms

  • Timing: Symptoms are most severe about 1 to 3 days after stopping the drug. For long-acting opioids, this peak can be 24 to 72 hours later.
  • Symptoms: Mood changes, anxiety, depression, intense cravings, diarrhea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, and flu-like symptoms.
  • Duration: This stage is usually the hardest and can last a few days.

Late stage: gradually improving symptoms

  • Timing: Symptoms start to get better after about a week.
  • Symptoms: Physical withdrawal should disappear within 7 to 10 days. Psychological cravings will become less intense.
  • Duration: While most symptoms improve within a week, some mild symptoms may last for months, which can increase the risk of relapse.

Getting help from a doctor or treatment center can make managing these symptoms easier and safer. Medications like methadone can reduce withdrawal symptoms and help with recovery.

5 Symptoms About Opioid Withdrawal

When someone stops using opioids, they may experience many symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

1) Anxiety

People often feel very nervous and worried. This anxiety can make it difficult to relax or sleep. It can also cause restlessness and make a person feel very uneasy.

2) Muscle aches and pains

Muscles can become sore and achy, making moving or performing daily activities difficult. This pain can feel like the flu and can affect the entire body.

3) Nausea and vomiting

Feeling sick to the stomach and throwing up are common symptoms of opioid withdrawal. This can also lead to dehydration if the person cannot keep fluids down.

4) Sweating and chills

Excessive sweating when it’s not hot is a common symptom. People might also experience chills and feel cold one moment and hot the next. This can be very uncomfortable and confusing.

5) Intense cravings

A strong desire to take opioids can be powerful. These cravings make it hard to resist the urge to use the drug and can lead to a relapse if not managed properly.

These symptoms can be hard to deal with, but with the right support and treatment, people can get through opioid withdrawal and start their journey to recovery. Seek help from doctors or treatment centers to safely manage these symptoms.

How to Treat Opioid Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous. The withdrawal timeline can last from a few days to a few weeks. It depends on the type of opioid used, how long it was used, and if other substances were used too. Medical detoxification can keep people safe and comfortable during this time.

  • Buprenorphine and methadone help reduce withdrawal symptoms and control cravings. Buprenorphine can help taper off opioid use. 
  • Methadone, buprenorphine, and Suboxone (a mix of buprenorphine and naloxone) can be used long-term to manage cravings, prevent relapse, and reduce overdose risk.
  • Clonidine can help with anxiety.
  • Loperamide can help with diarrhea.

Detoxification is just the first step to recovery, though. It helps start the process, but it’s not enough alone. Continuing treatment with medications, counseling, and therapy is essential for long-term recovery from opioid addiction.

a man celebrating learning about opioid withdrawal symptoms

Get Medically-Assisted, 24/7-Supervised Opioid Withdrawal Treatment

Effective opioid addiction treatment begins with medical detox. We can help you find detox centers across California when you call Drug Rehabs Centers.

Although opioid withdrawal is important, it’s only the first phase of recovery. We can also help you find inpatient and outpatient rehabs near you. If you need more support and accountability, we can connect you with peer support groups like NA and SMART Recovery.

Get help for Opioid addiction today by calling our recovery specialists at 844.739.2005.

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