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
in day 3 of withdrawals from Liquid THC for vapes mixed with Opioids, haven’t slept or eaten properly for 3 days the only things i can eat are apples anything else i instantly wanna throw up or i can’t even swallow it down, constant cold sweats, constant Restlessness, mood swings, one second i believe in myself that i can quit and stop and after a minute i start crying and just wanna give up.
I’m on day 6 of withdrawals after quitting subs cold turkey. I’ve been taking 2-4mg per day for a few years and noticed the urge to take more so I decided to quit. I’m experiencing all the symptoms but the restless muscles and insomnia make it almost impossible to work. Im you n the verge of going back because i can’t afford to feel like this and not produce at work. Any suggestions for the crawling muscles and insomnia?
Hi,
I have been taking about 75mg of oxycodone a day (2.5 30s) for 3-4 years. Im on day 3 of withdrawal, but I have taken half a sub strip each day. Will taking the subs just prolong my withdrawal? I only have 1/2 strip left, just want to prepare myself for when it is gone.
Thanks
I have been on oxycodone for years for chronic pain. The highest amount per day was 65 mg. I started tapering this year and am down to two 9mg er per day and 1 5 mg ir per day. I can go 12 hours or more now without taking anything, but when I do, I start getting jittery. I am thinking of going cold turkey from here because of that. Any suggestions?
hey, ive been cold turkey 2 days off blues. im feeling awful and im on the verge of sucide. ive been on them for 2 months. does anyone know how long the withdrawals will last. im only 17 and i work. i physically cannot handle this and i need this to end soon
Dont give up hope day 4 is easier.
hello! a quick update, ive been clean ever since i made that comment. it was hard but it is very possible. thank u for ur kind words