Within the first 30 hours of withdrawal, you are likely to encounter some of the symptoms detailed below. Mental health treatment programs for opiate withdrawal include group therapy and peer-support programs, many of which are based on the 12-step model.Ĭertain medications might also be prescribed to treat substance-abuse issues. If certain people in your social circle are addicts who are unwilling to change, break those contacts. One of the most effective ways to cut drugs from your life is to disassociate from active users. If you or a loved one is fighting with addiction, the first step is to distance yourself from anyone or anything that could cause a relapse. Short- and Long-term Opiate WithdrawalĪnyone coping with opiate withdrawal symptoms can seek help at mental health facilities. This stage of withdrawal will typically last for a week or more. If the drug in question is a long-acting substance, the onset and passing of stage-one symptoms may be slower and longer.Īfter 72 hours, the aforementioned symptoms (irritation, sweats) will usually be replaced by the second phase of symptoms, which may include goosebumps, stomach cramps, diarrhea, cravings, depression, nausea and vomiting. The early-stage symptoms of opiate withdrawal typically last 72 hours for short-acting drugs.

Within the first 6-12 hours of withdrawal, symptoms may include yawning, insomnia, irritation, sweats, fever, muscle pain and a racing heart. This is true with a wide range of opiates, from prescription painkillers (hydrocodone (Vicodin) meloxicam, oxycodone) to illicit street drugs like heroin. Once you resolve to stop using a short-acting opiate, the withdrawal symptoms could start within four hours after the last dose. If you start a withdrawal after a month of heavy opiate use, the hurdle could be longer and harder. Withdrawal can also be affected by the length of the preceding addiction. The opiate withdrawal timeline can vary depending on the type of drug or drugs used. These symptoms are your body’s way of coping with adjustment to a drug-free life. There are physical and mental struggles that you might have to cope with during a period of withdrawal, but knowing what they are puts you one step ahead to fight off those uncomfortable feelings.

It’s a necessary yet challenging step on the road to recovery from an unhealthy addiction. Opiate withdrawal is a difficult and often painful ordeal for most recovering drug users. So what are the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and how long do they last? What must you do during the short- and long-term stages of the withdrawal timeline, starting with the first 24 hours? The answers are here. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, it’s crucial to stay focused during this process. The first step to opiate withdrawal involves resisting temptations and committing to a drug-free life. This is one reason a person with substance abuse issues wants to abuse drugs every single day. Within the first 12 hours, withdrawal symptoms usually kick in. Who really wants to endure such a drastic change with their body? The opiate withdrawal timeline may seem long and arduous for anyone coping with substance abuse issues.

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