Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

Opioid withdrawal can have real, tangible and incredibly challenging symptoms. Studies suggest that approximately 85 per cent of the people who discontinue opioid abuse will experience at least some symptoms for anywhere between a week and a month from the final use. In some instances, these symptoms can be life-threatening – a fact that requires good understanding of the risks and the availability of adequate assistance for anyone who has decided to pursue sobriety. If you’re thinking about discontinuing opioid use or you’re worried about someone you know, keep on reading! We’ll discuss some of the most typical withdrawal symptoms, as well as the methods that can be employed to make the transition smoother while maximising the chances of long-term sobriety.

Commonly Reported Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

The commonly reported symptoms encompass a broad spectrum, including intense cravings, muscle aches, irritability, and insomnia. These manifestations reflect the body’s adjustment to the absence of opiates.
Acknowledging and addressing these symptoms are pivotal aspects of the journey toward opiate-free living, essential for both individuals undertaking recovery and healthcare professionals providing support in this transformative process. Here are some of the typical symptoms:

• Muscle aches
• Irritability
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased heartbeat
• Anxiety and depression
• Diarrhoea
• Body chills
• Fever

These experiences can continue for a few days to a few weeks. The type of opioid you’ve been taking is going to be determining for the withdrawal symptom timeframe.

What Determines the Severity of Withdrawal Symptoms?

Apart from the type of opioid, a few other things will affect the kind of symptoms and their severity:

1. Amount: The severity of withdrawal symptoms arises from the sudden absence of the substance upon cessation. The body, now accustomed to functioning with high doses of opiates, experiences a profound physiological imbalance. The central nervous system reacts strongly to the sudden removal of these substances. One key factor contributing to the severity of withdrawal symptoms is the heightened intensity of cravings. The body, having become accustomed to the drug in substantial quantities, craves opiates intensely during withdrawal. Opioid tolerance is quick to develop, making a person increase their intake over time. The escalating dose will then directly contribute to the severity of withdrawal if the drug is quit cold-turkey.
2. Duration of Use:  In cases of long-term opiate use, withdrawal symptoms can be both intense and prolonged. Moreover, the psychological impact is notable, with heightened anxiety, depression, and insomnia commonly reported. The extended duration of opiate use also contributes to the development of tolerance, where higher doses are required to achieve the same effects. As a result, individuals who have engaged in heavy and prolonged opiate use may face more pronounced withdrawal symptoms due to the heightened level of physical and psychological dependence.

3. Underlying Medical Conditions: People with pre-existing health conditions may experience heightened severity and complications during the withdrawal process from opiates. For example, those suffering from cardiovascular issues may be at an increased risk of elevated blood pressure and heart-related complications during withdrawal. Respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can exacerbate respiratory distress.

The Different Opiates and Their Withdrawal Process

The type of opiate dictates whether the withdrawal symptoms will be bearable or intense and disruptive. These substances can be classified into two groups based on how they affect your system – short-acting opiates and long-acting ones. The first group offer quick pain relief (in minutes) when taken. They produce intense withdrawal symptoms because they are usually abused in high doses or more often for immediate pain relief.

Short-acting opiates include:

• Codeine
• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Hydrocodone
• Oxymorphone
• Heroin

Long-acting opiate medications take hours to provide pain relief when taken and they have moderate withdrawal symptoms:

• Methadone
• Fentanyl Patch
• OxyContin

Timeline of Withdrawal Symptoms

When you begin the detoxification process, you should expect to feel withdrawal symptoms within a few hours to three days after quitting or reducing the dose. The duration it takes for side effects to appear mostly depends on the type of opiate being abused. If you have been abusing a short-acting medication, it would take less than 24 hours for the symptoms to kick in. Your body will detect the absence shortly after you cease the intake. The symptoms will persist for a period of four to 10 days. In the case of long-acting opiate drug abuse, the withdrawal symptoms would take longer to appear (about three days or more) or be felt in full. It takes a while before the body detects the absence of a long-acting medication. The withdrawal symptoms of long-acting substances can last for 20 days or more. On average, opiate detox and withdrawal can last a few days to a week. However, the presence of other medical conditions and drug use can play a huge part in detox length.

How Best to Manage Opiate Withdrawals

Getting through detox at a private rehab place like The Providence Projects in Bournemouth can really help with opiate withdrawals. At our clinic, you will benefit from tailored and holistic therapies that are all about making the withdrawal symptoms easier to handle. The staff will use proven methods to deal with both the physical and mental parts of opiate withdrawal. Such an approach not only makes the detox more comfortable, but also lowers the chances of any further issues and complications. The personalised support you get in a reputable facility like The Providence Projects makes going through opiate withdrawal less tough, setting you up for a better chance at a lasting recovery. You cannot breeze through opiate rehab, but our team of addiction experts can help you reduce the challenges and focus on long-term recovery and a happy sober future.