Opioid Drug Detox Symptoms

Opioids are notoriously difficult to quit, and withdrawal can be intensely uncomfortable. Because the body develops a strong physical dependence, withdrawal can last four to five days for fact-acting opioids such as heroin and a week or longer for a slow-acting opioid like methadone. For this reason, medically supervised detox is the safest way to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.

According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 4.8 million people aged 12 and older had an opioid use disorder(OUD),  and 7.8 million people reported misusing opioids in the past year. Among those who misused opioids, 92.9% used prescription pain relievers, 4.2% used both prescription opioids and heroin, and 2.9% used heroin alone. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl also emerged in the 2000s as a highly potent and frequently misused synthetic opioid.

Every day, people successfully complete opioid detox and move forward into recovery, and with proper care and support, you can too. If you are ready to take the first step toward sobriety, it is time to contact Detox.com and connect with a treatment program that meets your needs.

For help locating detox programs and resources, contact Detox.com and speak with someone today.

800-996-6135

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Opioid Drug Detox & Withdrawal

Detox is the process your body goes through when you stop taking opioids and allow the drugs to clear out of your system. If you have been using opioids regularly, your body gets used to having them around. Detox happens when you take those drugs away, leading to withdrawal as your body adjusts.

When you use opioids, your brain is flooded with “feel-good” chemicals, especially dopamine, which creates the high. Normally, dopamine is released, does its job and then gets recycled. Opioids disrupt that process, causing dopamine levels to build up and stick around longer, which extends the pleasurable feeling.

Your brain sees that surge of dopamine as a reward. Over time, your brain starts linking people, places or situations with “feeling good.”  The more you use, the stronger those connections become, leading to addiction.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms generally start within 6 to 12 hours for short-acting and 20 hours for longer-acting opioids.

Early symptoms of withdrawal include:

Agitation and nausea are common opioid withdrawal symptoms.

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Increased tearing
• Insomnia
• Runny nose
• Sweating
• Yawning

Late symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Goose bumps
• Nausea
• Vomiting

While opioid detox is typically not life-threatening, some symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to organ failure. For this reason, a medically supervised detox is the safest way to get through the process.

Medically Assisted Treatment

Addiction professionals widely recommend medically assisted or medically supervised detox as the safest way to withdraw from opioids.  These programs provide close medical monitoring to manage symptoms and reduce complications, and often include medication support.

FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone can help ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and stabilize brain chemistry. With the right medical care, detox becomes more manageable, more comfortable and significantly safer.

If you are interested in managing your detox with medication, contact Detox.com and speak with someone who can connect you with resources. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) .