When someone with opioid addiction tries to quit, they often experience harsh withdrawal symptoms. Usually, these withdrawals cause so much pain that people resume using opioids to ease the symptoms. For most people, it is impossible to stop abusing opioids without the help of an addiction doctor.
In This Article
How Long Do Withdrawals Last?
While withdrawal symptoms are very unpleasant and painful, they usually begin to improve within seventy-two hours.
Within a week, there should be a significant decrease in the acute symptoms.
Longer-term symptoms are usually more behavioral and emotional, though there can be mild physical symptoms (such as withdrawal insomnia) that may take several weeks to resolve.
Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
Generally:
- Symptoms start sometime between 8 and 24 hours after you last use the drugs.
- You feel worst between 48 and 72 hours (2-3 days) after your last use.
- Symptoms stop sometime between 4 to 10 days after you last used.
As you might suspect, timing depends on the individual and factors such as:
- Length of time using the substance
- The substance itself (ie. the new drug ISO detox vs. heroin detox vs. prescription painkiller detox like oxycodone or hydrocodone)
- Method of abuse (ie. snorting, smoking, injecting, or swallowing)
- Amount taken each time
- Family history of addiction and genetic makeup
- Medical and mental health history
Withdrawal Symptoms Lasting Longer Than 10 Days
What Are the Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal?
Initial Phase Withdrawal Symptoms
Most people start to feel these symptoms after not using opioids for around eight hours.
- Muscle aches
- Excessive sweating
- Lethargy and excessive yawning
- Runny nose
- Anxiety
- Extreme cravings and thoughts of using
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Restless leg syndrome
Second Phase Withdrawal Symptoms
The second phase, which can be more intense, begins after the first day or so. Symptoms in the second phase include:
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid heartbeat
- Diarrhea,nausea and vomiting
- Chills and goosebumps
- Abdominal cramps
- High blood pressure
What Happens During Withdrawal?
The body produces natural opioids that control pain, anxiety and depression. But, if a person gets a broken leg, for example, the body doesn’t produce enough opioids to treat the pain. External opioids treat the pain.
Over time and prolonged use, opioid receptors in the brain, the spinal cord and gastrointestinal tracts become desensitized. Higher dosages are needed to achieve the same effect. The increased consumption creates a dependency on the receptors, and when the person stops taking the opioid, the body can’t cope with the lack of the drug.
How can I feel better?
There’s no need to feel so terrible. Suboxone clinics use buprenorphine to feel better right away and get through withdrawal while you live at home. Though there are more side effects of methadone, it is also an option that provides immediate relief.
Without medical supervision, withdrawals are uncomfortable, stressful and too often result in overdose. The physical and mental toll caused by opioid withdrawal can be addressed.
Symetria Opiate Detox Centers
If you’ve tried to stop, it’s easy to feel like there is no hope of overcoming opioid addiction, but thousands of people are living healthily and happily without feeling high or sick. If you’ve been able to get past the detox phase, joining an IOP program or using medications like Suboxone or methadone helps you stay healthy long-term.
80 Comments
I’ve been on opiates for about 4 years and now off for 3 1/2 weeks. I’m still excessively sweating even if I’m not doing anything. Does this go away eventually?
Do withdrawals get worse each time you come off? I’ve tried writing several times now and seems like they don’t really get much worse
I’ve been using now for about 4 months 2-3 bags a day and I started trying to detox myself today how long do u think it will take to detox off of heroin?
If you have seen my comment, you are obviously considering quitting. Do NOT allow this strength to dissipate. When you get to the 2nd phase you are 1-3 days from feeling better and is your life not worth at least seeing what reality looks, smells and tastes like again? You can do it!
I am in my 3rd week of being sober from oxy 30 IR’s and was on them 6x’s a day for 7 years! If I can do it, you can too! It is scary, BUT if you gather the courage to do it I give you my word at the end of all this you will be a better person.
I’m in the same boat! Prayers! Day 3 and 4 are the worst. Gets better after that.
Jerry
You can and will do this. Endure the 2-3 weeks of misery, yr life is worth it ????
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