Understanding Opioid Withdrawal and Opioid Use Disorder
What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Opioids?
When you stop taking opioids after using them for an extended period of time, you will typically experience symptoms of withdrawal.
Withdrawal happens because your body has gotten used to the drug and now must adjust to being without it. The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be severe and even dangerous, especially if you’ve been misusing the drug, taking more of it than prescribed, or using it alongside other substances.
Opioids are an extremely addictive drug, and going through detox can be very difficult. Because of the dangers involved, undergoing detox in a structured and medically supervised environment is considered the safest option.
If you or a loved one is currently struggling with opioid addiction, there is help available. To learn more about opioid addiction withdrawal, reach out to our team at Profound Treatment today.
What Is Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome?
Opioid withdrawal syndrome refers to the mental and physical symptoms that occur when someone who has been taking opioids for an extended period of time abruptly stops taking them.
Withdrawal symptoms occur because the body becomes dependent upon the substance over time.
Some of the side effects of opioid withdrawal syndrome include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Muscle soreness
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating and chills
- Joint pain
- Severe opioid cravings
How Does Opioid Dependence Develop With Prescription Opioids?
Opioids disrupt the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, leading to the release of large amounts of dopamine.
Dopamine helps to regulate mood, pain, and pleasure. As opioids are used more frequently, the brain begins to link their intake to feelings of intense pleasure, fostering a strong urge to consume more of the substance.
Gradually, the brain adjusts to the increased dopamine levels, resulting in tolerance, which requires larger amounts of opioids to attain the same pleasurable effects. This pattern can swiftly lead to addiction, as you begin to desire the powerful sensations that opioids can induce.
Dependence occurs when the brain becomes so accustomed to opioids that it requires them to function normally. Opioid dependence can occur even if you are taking opioids exactly as prescribed.
Why Opioid Withdrawal Happens
How Do Opioids Affect the Brain and Nervous System?
Opioids have a major impact on the brain by triggering the release of dopamine, which is associated with reward and pleasure.
They also have a major impact on the nervous system and can be very dangerous when not taken exactly as prescribed. In some cases, they can cause respiratory depression, drowsiness, severe levels of sedation, and reduced heart rate.
Why Does the Body Develop Opioid Dependence?
The body develops opioid dependence by becoming used to the drug over time, eventually requiring more and more of the drug to feel normal and not go into withdrawal.
What Factors Influence the Severity of Opioid Withdrawal?
Factors such as how long you have been taking opioids, how much of the drug you have been taking, and whether you have been taking the drug alongside other drugs or alcohol can impact the severity of opioid withdrawal.
Other factors could include the specific type of opioid, as well as the manner of use, such as whether it was injected, smoked, or taken orally. Your individual health, including factors such as genetics, age, and metabolism, can also influence severity.
Common Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal
What Are the Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal?
Opioid withdrawal causes both mental and physical symptoms, including depression, nausea, and diarrhea.
Other mental symptoms of opioid withdrawal may include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- A decrease in mood
- Trouble concentrating
Other physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal may include:
- Severe cravings for opioids
- Muscle soreness and tremors
- Abdominal cramping
- Increased blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Trouble sleeping
The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can become severe if they are not effectively managed by medical professionals.
Why Do Muscle Aches, Cravings, and Anxiety Occur During Withdrawal?
Muscle aches, cravings, and anxiety occur during opioid withdrawal because of the impact that opioids have on the nervous system.
When you are no longer using opioids, the nervous system must then adjust and try to get back to normal.
How Do Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Affect Mental Health?
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can have a major detrimental impact on mental health, leading to anxiety, irritability, and low mood.
Other mental health symptoms that can occur as a result of withdrawal include depression and trouble concentrating.
Timeline and Stages of Opioid Withdrawal
What Is the Timeline for Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?
The timeline for opioid withdrawal symptoms includes three main stages: the early stage, peak stage, and recovery stage.
The early stage typically takes place between 6 and 24 hours after the last use, and symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sweating
- Chills
- Trouble sleeping
The peak stage typically takes place between 24 and 72 hours after the last use, and symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Severe cravings for opioids
The recovery stage typically takes place between 3 days and weeks after the last use, and symptoms may include:
- Continued but more occasional cravings
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
- Depression
What Are the Stages of Withdrawal Symptoms?
The stages of withdrawal symptoms are typically classified as the early stage, the peak stage, and the recovery stage.
Why Are Withdrawals Worse at Night?
Withdrawal symptoms may often seem worse at night because of disruption to the body’s sleep-wake cycle.
Many people find it difficult to sleep and experience racing thoughts or anxiety.
Risks and Complications During Withdrawal
When Can Opioid Withdrawal Become Dangerous or Life-Threatening?
Opioid withdrawal can become dangerous and even life-threatening when it takes place without the guidance of a healthcare professional in a stable medical environment.
Withdrawal can become particularly dangerous if you have other medical problems or if you are struggling with co-occurring disorders.
Some dangerous potential health complications include:
- Heart problems
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances
How Does Withdrawal Increase the Risk of Opioid Overdose?
Withdrawal potentially increases the risk of opioid overdose because some people return to opioid use after attempting to stop.
When withdrawal occurs outside of a medically supervised environment where symptoms can be managed, it can be highly distressing. Cravings may be severe, causing some people to feel they have no choice but to return to use.
However, the body is no longer used to opioids in the system. This can lead to accidental overdose if a person returns to using high amounts they may have previously used. They may also take a higher dose than intended.
Why Is Medical Supervision Important During Detoxification?
Medical supervision is crucial to ensure safety and stability, and to help keep you as comfortable as possible.
Medical supervision also helps ensure a successful detox and helps prevent relapse.
Medications Used for Opioid Withdrawal Management
What Drugs Are Used to Treat Opioid Withdrawal?
Some drugs that may be used to treat opiate withdrawal include methadone, buprenorphine, clonidine, loperamide, and lofexidine.
How Do Medications Like Buprenorphine, Methadone, and Suboxone Work?
These medications help make it safer to come off opioids and also help manage symptoms of withdrawal.
Suboxone, a mix of buprenorphine and naloxone, is used during the period of opioid withdrawal to manage symptoms. It works by binding to receptors in the brain and helping to reduce cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. This medication is known for posing a lower risk of misuse.
Methadone is a long-acting opioid that is used under supervision and only in controlled settings to help an individual who is gradually tapering off other, stronger opioids. To prevent misuse, you must be carefully monitored while on this medication.
What Role Do Clonidine and Other Medications Play in Withdrawal Management?
Clonidine and other similar medications play a critical role in withdrawal management by helping make symptoms less severe.
Some specific symptoms that clonidine can help with include rapid heart rate, anxiety, sweating, and agitation.
Lofexidine and loperamide work similarly by reducing the physical symptoms of withdrawal, such as diarrhea and vomiting. These medications keep you more comfortable during the withdrawal process and help support the completion of treatment.
Other medications, such as naltrexone, can be taken after detox is complete. Naltrexone is a prescription medication, often branded as Vivitrol (injectable), used to treat opioid use disorder by blocking the euphoric effects of the substance and reducing cravings.
Using the proper medication during the detox process is important not only for safety and comfort, but also because it can help prevent relapse.
Professional Detox and Treatment for Opioid Addiction
What Happens During Inpatient Opioid Detox?
While going through inpatient opioid detox, you are in a structured and medically supervised environment as you go through the withdrawal process.
During this time, you will be monitored around the clock, and your symptoms will be managed through proper interventions, keeping you as comfortable as possible. After you are stabilized, you will then move toward ongoing treatment.
Throughout the detox process, your vitals will be monitored, and medication will be administered to manage symptoms like anxiety, agitation, gastrointestinal upset, and sleeping problems. This is particularly important if you have a pre-existing medical condition, have struggled with drug use for an extended period of time, or have relapsed before.
Inpatient detox is much different than being in the emergency department or receiving outpatient care. This is because it involves continuous monitoring and care over the course of several days.
How Do Healthcare Providers Manage Withdrawal Safely?
Healthcare providers manage withdrawal safely through continuous monitoring, medication management, and supportive care.
Not only does this help ensure safety, but it also allows you to be kept as comfortable as possible. Some of the things that are medically monitored during this time include vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and hydration levels. These things can fluctuate throughout the detox process, especially depending on how the individual responds to certain medications.
Healthcare providers also provide additional support, such as reassurance and guidance on what to expect moving forward with substance abuse treatment. Guidance and support are also offered to the family. This might include education on substance use disorder, mental illness, and opioid treatment.
What Evidence-Based Treatment Options Support Opioid Addiction Recovery?
Some evidence-based treatment options that healthcare providers will turn to support opioid addiction recovery include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-informed therapy, and both individual and group therapy.
MAT can be a crucial piece of opioid recovery. Medication and therapy are combined through MAT to support you throughout the recovery process.
CBT helps you become more aware of negative thoughts and behavior patterns. From there, you can work on shifting these to more positive, healthy patterns.
DBT is helpful for those who struggle with intense emotions. It can help build emotional resiliency, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
Trauma-informed therapy is helpful for those who have experienced trauma and turned to opioid use as a result. This type of therapy allows trauma to be addressed in a safe and supportive way.
The Role of Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis Care
How Are Mental Health Conditions Addressed During Opioid Detox?
Mental health conditions are addressed during opioid detox through a psychiatry-led team that will help you get to the root cause of the problem.
This often involves a range of therapies, including individual and group counseling.
Why Is Dual Diagnosis Treatment Important for Long-Term Recovery?
Dual diagnosis treatment is important for long-term recovery because it addresses both substance use and mental health issues simultaneously.
It also helps to ensure that neither condition worsens as a result of treating the other. As a result, this can help prevent relapse.
How Do Clinicians Support Emotional and Psychological Stabilization?
Clinicians support emotional and psychological stabilization through psychiatric and therapeutic care, as well as by providing a safe and structured environment for healing.
Continuing Recovery After Detox
What Happens After Opioid Detox Is Complete?
After opioid detox is complete, the process continues, and ongoing treatment is necessary to prevent relapse.
Because you have completed detox, you are now stabilized. However, you must now proceed with treatment that addresses the emotional, behavioral, and psychological aspects of addiction. In many cases, this involves residential treatment, where you are supervised 24/7.
How Does Follow-Up Care and Support Improve Long-Term Recovery?
Follow-up care and support are critical to ensure continued progress in recovery and prevent relapse.
Support helps keep you connected to those you have met through treatment, helping prevent isolation. It also helps reinforce skills learned through treatment and assists with managing different challenges you might experience in recovery.
Some additional key benefits of follow-up care and support include:
- Promoting accountability
- Assistance with managing cravings and urges
- Allowing for early intervention if issues arise
- Providing a safe space to process feelings
- Assistance in coping with stress and other negative emotions
- Promoting healthy routines
- Providing medication management
- Continued mental health treatment
At Profound Treatment, follow-up care and support are a critical part of our program, promoting long-term recovery for our clients.
Why Is Ongoing Support Important After Detoxification?
Ongoing support is important after detoxification in order to ensure continued progress in recovery and to prevent relapse.
Continued support doesn’t just include addressing the physical symptoms of addiction, but the underlying cause of addiction. This refers to the root cause of why someone turned to substance misuse in the first place. In many cases, this is an underlying or unaddressed mental health issue or unresolved trauma.
FAQs About Opioid Withdrawal
What drug has the most withdrawal symptoms?
Opioids are typically associated with the most withdrawal symptoms, and those symptoms can be quite severe and even dangerous if detoxification does not occur in a medically supervised environment.
Several factors can influence the severity of opioid withdrawal. This includes the specific type of opioid, the length of time the person was using it, the method by which they were using it, and whether they were using it along with other substances.
How long do opioid withdrawal symptoms typically last?
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can last between 5 and 10 days, but this can vary from person to person.
Are withdrawal symptoms different for fentanyl or oxycodone?
Withdrawal symptoms for fentanyl or oxycodone have similarities, but there can be differences when it comes to their onset and duration.
Can medications for opioid use disorder prevent severe withdrawal?
Yes, medications can help lessen or eliminate withdrawal symptoms when you are going through withdrawal from opioid use disorder.
When should someone seek medical help for opioid withdrawal?
Medical help is always recommended for those going through opioid withdrawal, not only to ensure safety, but to effectively manage withdrawal symptoms and allow for you to be kept as comfortable as possible during this process.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, you are not alone, and support is available. Opioid detox should be done in a stable and supportive medically supervised environment where withdrawal symptoms can be managed. To learn more, contact our service team at Profound Treatment for more information.
