Opiate & Opioid Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment
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Opiates are chemical compounds that are extracted from the sap and fibers of opium poppies. Opiates include heroin, opium, codeine, and morphine. Opioids, by contrast, are chemical compounds that are fully or partially synthesized in labs – oxycodone, hydrocodone, or fentanyl, for instance.
Ongoing use of opiates like heroin leads to the development of physical dependence and tolerance of the drug. If you become dependent on opiates, you will experience aggravating withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue the use of the narcotic.
Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually develop within 6 to 24 hours of the last use, peaking after 1 to 3 days. Most opiate withdrawal symptoms subside after 4 to 7 days, although fatigue and feelings of anxiety or depression may persist. Psychological symptoms like insomnia, mood swings, and irritability may linger for up to 2 weeks.
Opiate withdrawal typically occurs within hours of the last dose. Symptoms may present as soon as 6 hours after the previous dose, or the onset of withdrawal may occur after 24 hours of abstinence from opioids. The onset of acute, short-term withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person, according to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)[2].
In most cases, the symptoms of acute opiate withdrawal will last from 3 to 10 days. The following factors influence the onset and duration of opiate withdrawal:
The sustained use of heroin or any other opiate can trigger changes in behavior and alterations in the brain. When you take opiates, the drug attaches to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and CNS (central nervous system). Opiates mimic the effects of naturally occurring opioids (endogenous opioids), activating certain cells and disrupting signaling to the brain. This can impact core functions like breathing, heart rate, and sleeping.
Over time, the brain adapts to the continuous presence of opiates. As tolerance develops, you will require more opiates or more frequent doses to deliver the initial effects. If you increase your consumption of opiates, this will accelerate the development of physical dependence. Dependence is characterized by the presentation of withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the substance.
While most symptoms of opiate withdrawal are not life-threatening, the experience can be intensely unpleasant and painful, leading many people to continue abusing opiates rather than undergoing opiate detox. Withdrawal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea can also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which may become life-threatening if left unmanaged.
Several factors can influence the nature and severity of the symptoms experienced during opiate withdrawal. These factors may include the duration of addiction, the type and amount of opiate taken, the method of drug use, the presence of polydrug use, family history, and overall physical and mental health.
When opiate use is discontinued, the first sign of withdrawal is often a comedown, as the initial effects of the drug start to wear off, and the brain chemistry returns to normal. If opiate use is not continued, withdrawal symptoms may eventually develop, which can involve both physical and mental symptoms associated with drug and alcohol withdrawal. It’s vital to seek professional help and guidance to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively.
The short-term symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal can be so distressing and uncomfortable, including severe pain and intense drug craving, that many people detoxing from opiates in a nonclinical setting will relapse as a result. This can be especially dangerous due to decreased tolerance, heightening the risk of opiate overdose.
The most common short-term opiate withdrawal symptoms include:
Protracted opiate withdrawal [1] symptoms may occur after the acute withdrawal period ends. Symptoms may include:
Opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic substances that mimic the effects of natural opiates like morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opioids include:
Although opioids are commonly prescribed for pain relief, this class of drugs has a high potential for misuse and abuse, often leading to addiction or overdose.
The term “opiates” refers explicitly to drugs that are derived from the opium poppy plant. Examples of opiates include:
Opiates have been used for pain relief for centuries, but this class of drugs is also associated with abuse and addiction.
So, all opiates are opioids, but not all opioids are opiates. Opioids can be synthetic or semi-synthetic, while opiates are naturally occurring substances derived from the opium poppy plant.
The duration of withdrawal from opioids versus opiates can vary depending on several factors, including the level of dependence, the type and amount of drug used, and the duration of use. That said, the duration of (synthetic or semi-synthetic) opioid withdrawal is often longer than withdrawal from heroin or other (naturally occurring) opiates.
For example, Heroin (an opiate) has a fairly short elimination half-life, which means that the drug is metabolized rapidly, leading to withdrawal symptoms that usually peak within a few days and subside within 7 to 10 days.
Withdrawal from long-acting opioids—like morphine, buprenorphine, or oxycodone—can last significantly longer. Symptoms may linger for weeks or even months as these drugs stay in the body for longer. This can be seen with methadone, a long-acting opioid, which triggers withdrawal symptoms within 36 hours and can last for 14 days or more.
In contrast, short-acting opioids like fentanyl produce withdrawal symptoms more quickly, typically within 8 to 24 hours, but these symptoms usually subside within 10 days.
Understanding these differences can help individuals and healthcare providers better anticipate and manage the withdrawal process. For a successful detox and manageable withdrawal period, pursue medical supervision through a trusted detox or addiction center.
If you have developed an addiction to opiates like heroin or opioids like oxycodone, we can help you navigate withdrawal symptoms and kickstart your recovery at Gratitude Lodge in Southern California.
Begin your opioid addiction treatment with our supervised medical detox program. Benefit from FDA-approved medications and continuous clinical care to streamline the withdrawal process. After a week or so of opiate withdrawal, you can move into one of these treatment programs for opioid use disorder:
All treatment programs at Gratitude Lodge draw from a combination of science-based and holistic therapies, such as:
Are you ready to move beyond opiate addiction? If so, call our admissions team today at 844-576-0144.
[1] https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma10-4554.pdf
[2] https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4131.pdf
Drug detox can vary according to the patient’s addiction factors, including the substance abused, how long the addiction has lasted, the patient’s medical condition, if any other disorders are present, and more. Our skilled and credentialed team at Gratitude Lodge work closely with every patient going through drug detox, facilitating the beginnings of a successful recovery at our rehab addiction centers in Orange County, CA.
Many patients don’t realize the toxicity of prolonged alcohol abuse and how it affects the body. Alcohol detox at the luxurious rehab addiction centers at Gratitude Lodge leeches your body of these toxins in preparation for successful treatment for drugs and alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox may not take as long or produce severe withdrawal symptoms, but it is still an essential beginning to your recovery.
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