To an opiate or opioid addict, ‘withdrawal’ is a monster always ready to pounce. It’s natural to want to avoid withdrawal pain! However, if you know what to expect during a withdrawal, it loses its fangs.
Withdrawal is Intense, But Survivable
The very word ‘withdrawal’ conjures up images of people curled into a ball on the couch, faces clenched tight, their whole body spasming. Or a gray-skinned body on the floor, eyes vacant, life slowly draining away.
Neither of these are accurate portrayals.
The bad news is, withdrawal from opiates or opioids CAN hurt a lot. Can you die during withdrawal? It’s possible, but thankfully rare.
The good news is, it’s almost never as bad as you think. Especially if you go to a detox center.
Since we’ve helped thousands go through withdrawal with minimal suffering, using a medically-proven detox method (medications designed to calm opiate/opioid withdrawal), we’ve seen just about everything that could happen. Here’s what you can expect during a withdrawal.
The Withdrawal Process
First, a word of caution: Withdrawal is intense. Our clients sometimes tell us they never would have made it through withdrawal if they did so at home, on their own.
But other times, they go through withdrawal with only mild, brief symptoms. Why?
It’s because the strength of withdrawal symptoms depends on your level of substance dependency. Dependency increases with how long you’ve used the drug, how much you take at a time, how you take the drug, and your overall health.
This is why detoxing at a treatment center, where you have supervision and medical help standing by, makes a big difference. If your symptoms come on fast or hit you hard, you may end up using opiates/opioids again. Your body will do anything to escape the pain…and it knows a way to do that, by going back to the substance that started it all.
It’s important to remember that other ways exist. Better ways.
Withdrawal Symptoms to Watch For
Here are the symptoms most people going through withdrawal report. We’ve listed these in the order they usually come on.
Early-Stage Withdrawal:
- Muscle Aches
- Trouble Falling or Staying Asleep
- Anxiety
- Heart Racing
- Fever
- Hypertension
Later-Stage Withdrawal:
- Serious Cravings for the Opiate/Opioid
- Stomach Cramps
- Depression
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Diarrhea
What to Do if You’re Experiencing Withdrawal
If you are with someone, or can call a friend, ask them for help. Tell them, “Call 911, I’m in withdrawal.”
If you are alone and still coherent, call our 800 number: 800-811-1800. We’ll help you arrange travel to a detox center or the hospital.
(DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE. New symptoms may come on while you’re on your way, and cause an accident.)
If you’ve experienced severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, call 911 or ask someone to call 911 for you. It IS possible to die from these symptoms, so don’t wait.
What to Do if a Loved One is Experiencing Withdrawal
If you encounter a loved one who shows symptoms of opiate withdrawal, look them over thoroughly.
- Are they still coherent (able to communicate with you)? Contact a detox center. Ours is available for anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area, at 800-811-1800. You can also find nearby detox centers at the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
- Have they passed out, or are unable to communicate with you? Call 911 immediately. Tell the operator which drug they’ve taken (if you know), so the emergency personnel know which detox medication to use.
Understanding the Withdrawal Symptoms Makes it Easier to Tackle Them
After reading this, you may not want to deal with withdrawal at all! That’s okay; nothing wrong with feeling nervous. But let us encourage you with this. Those who do go through withdrawal, who seek treatment for opiates/opioids and get clean? Their lives are changed immeasurably for the better.
Yours can be too. Now you know what to expect from withdrawal. You also know how to ease withdrawal symptoms as much as possible: Go to a detox center and ask for help. That’s all it takes to beat the withdrawal monster.
If this is you, and you’re ready to tackle withdrawal, contact an opiate/opioid detox center near you.
Reading this to help a friend or loved one? We have more resources to help you guide them toward detox (and minimize/eliminate withdrawal).
