Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal



Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal*

|Racing heart |Enlarged pupils |

|Sweating |Decreased sexual drive |

|Intense cravings to use |Extremely sore/aching muscles and joints |

|Difficulty sleeping |Increased sensitivity to pain |

|Feeling more restless than usual |Running nose, tearful eyes |

|Feeling more agitated than usual |Nausea or diarrhea |

|Feeling more anxious than usual |Hand tremor, muscle twitching |

|Feeling more irritable than usual |Unusual amount of yawning |

|Overreacting to everyday situations and people |Gooseflesh/goose bumps |

What to do and What to Expect

1. Opioid withdrawal can range from being mildly to extremely uncomfortable and will typically last for 3 to 5 days (longer for some people). It is impossible to predict how severe your own withdrawal will be. You will have to wait and see how you feel. It’s important not to psyche yourself out. There’s no need to over report or under report your withdrawal symptoms. It is also important to remember that opioid withdrawal, although often quite uncomfortable and frightening, is not fatal like alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal can be. For extra support during withdrawal please feel free to come to treatment. It will allow us to evaluate you as your withdrawal goes forward and talking with others who have been through this before you can be very helpful.

2. For mild and moderate cases you may find that you can tolerate the symptoms with over the counter medications for cramps, aches and diarrhea. Drink lots of clear liquids. If you are unable to tolerate the symptoms you may choose to call on the local detoxification facilities:

Facility name and phone number

Facility name and phone number

3. The detox facility may or may not admit you based on their evaluation of your medical condition. Don’t get discouraged if they won’t admit you. It doesn’t mean you are not sick. It doesn’t mean completing withdrawal is not important. To get support, come to the treatment program and let people know what is going on with you.

4. If you are unable to tolerate the symptoms, you may choose to go to your nearest emergency room. They can provide some relief with non-opioid prescription medications. It is highly unlikely that the emergency room personnel will prescribe any opioid medications for withdrawal.

5. If you go to an emergency room you should be prepared to wait. Although opioid withdrawal is very uncomfortable, it is not life threatening. Therefore, other patients may be brought in and treated before you. If you receive any prescriptions from the emergency room you should continue to attend the treatment program and let staff know what medications you received.

6. If you have not used any opioids for a few days and then use, remember:

• Do NOT take your usual dose. Your tolerance for opioids goes down after a few days, and using your usual dose (amount) can result in an overdose. Don’t use more than a third of the amount you were using when you stopped your first use.

• Don’t use alone.

• If you can, buy your drugs from your usual source.

• Don’t share equipment. If you’ve thrown away your works, get clean ones.

• And remember: even if you use, you’re still welcome to come to treatment!!!!

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