Learn what it’s like to detox from opioid medications and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, codeine, morphine, and more.
Firstly, please keep in mind that opioid withdrawal can be dangerous if you have been using large amounts for a long period of time, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, or if you have been using other substances as well, and you should contact a medical professional if you are wanting to stop using.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms may vary depending on the criteria above and your age, mental health history, and hereditary factors.
Common Physical Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms:
- Bone, joint, and muscular pain and spasms
- Insomnia and anxiety
- Sweating and runny nose
- Stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea
- High blood pressure and rapid pulse
- Dilated pupils and teary eyes
- Hyper reflexes and muscle cramps
- Fever, chills, and goosebumps
When you use opioids in excess, you have made extreme changes to your body and brain. Then when you abstain from using the substances your body tries to reverse those changes and the consequences are equally extreme.
Source: Freepik
Detoxing from Opioids
If you are wanting to stop using opioids, we suggest that you contact a professional about admitting yourself into a detox center. The average stay is 7 days, and you will be monitored by medical professionals who can help you with medicated assisted treatment to keep you physically safe and help you overcome the psychological symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Short-acting opioids like heroin, morphine, and hydromorphone (Dilaudid), result in more acute withdrawal symptoms beginning 8 to 12 hours after cessation of chronic use and usually subsiding over a period of 5 to 7 days.
The codeine withdrawal timeline, if your body has developed a physical dependence, can begin in a few hours and peak within 36 to 72 hours.
Long-acting opioids like methadone, activate withdrawal symptoms beginning 36 to 72 hours after cessation and can persist for up to 14 days.
Withdrawal patterns from other opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), and hydrocodone (Vicodin), fall between those extremes.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is the reappearance, on a regular basis, of emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms. This can occur anywhere from 3 to 6 months or even in some cases 18 months after abstinence has begun. The symptoms of PAWS can include insomnia, nightmares, memory or thought problems, anxiety, coordination difficulties, and a feeling of being inactive withdrawal.
Acute heroin withdrawal is almost never life-threatening, unlike acute withdrawal from alcohol or sedative-hypnotics (Xanax and Valium) but is so uncomfortable and painful that the fear of withdrawal becomes a motivator to continue to use.
Detoxing from Morphine
Withdrawal symptoms during detox from morphine are generally much like the flu if you have not been abusing any other substances concurrently. If you are considering admitting yourself to a detox center there are some medications that can be prescribed to you that may help relieve some of these flu-like symptoms and help you rest more comfortably during your stay.
Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine (Kadian and Avinza) and has an enormous risk of abuse and addiction, but again withdrawal is rarely life-threatening.
Source: Freepik
Detoxing from Fentanyl and Alcohol
Alcohol exasperates opioids like Fentanyl, heightening your risk of severe mental and bodily damage and can cause irregular heart rate, respiratory arrest, coma, and death if used together. If you have been abusing Fentanyl and alcohol together, please call a medical professional immediately so that you can be referred to professionals that are trained to help you detox safely, and do not attempt to detox on your own. This combination of substances has a high rate of relapse, so it is important that you are with people who are well versed in the best way to manage your care.
Here at Pacific Crest Trail Detox, we provide you with a home setting to keep you as comfortable as possible during the withdrawal process and 24-hour monitoring for safety. We provide medically assisted treatment by staff that is trained to understand opioid withdrawal and addiction treatment.
Here is what one of our previous clients have to say:
“I am eternally grateful for the kindness I was met with when entering detox at Pacific Crest. My specific situation was considered and my goals were addressed and met. All the staff was great. The nursing staff is very compassionate (Thank you, Bob!)”
If you have questions about detoxing from opioids please give us a call today. Our admission staff is available to you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.