What happens when your body goes through opioid withdrawal?
Withdrawal from long-term opioid use can put immense strain on both mind and body as it adapts to functioning without the drugs. This process, known as opioid withdrawal, triggers uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms demanding a carefully managed transition.
Here we explore what happens during opioid withdrawal in detail, along with evidence-based treatment approaches and how pH Wellness can support you through successful recovery.
Opioid Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery
Opioid withdrawal symptoms
Opioid withdrawal represents your body's demand for homeostasis—equilibrium—after developing physical and psychological dependence on opioid medications over time. While uncomfortable, these symptoms stem from natural reactions your brain and organs undergo as they recalibrate neurotransmitter levels, hormone production, and other internal workings accustomed to chronic drug exposure.
Common opioid withdrawal symptoms involve two categories:
Physical effects
Sweating, goosebumps, fever or chills, runny nose, abdominal cramping, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia top the list of withdrawal's taxing physical manifestations. Dilated pupils, facial flushing, and elevated heart rate/blood pressure also feature prominently.
Psychological struggles
Anxiety, depression, hopelessness, drug cravings, mood swings, agitation or irritability plague the mind as forcibly as physical symptoms assail the flesh. Withdrawal wreaks havoc on normal psychological functioning and thought patterns too accustomed to numbing relief through opioid use.
Notably, both types of withdrawal symptoms vary significantly based on individual factors like usage history, overall health, environmental stresses affecting recovery, and specifics of the opioid involved—with shorter-acting drugs producing briefer symptoms compared to longer half-life alternatives.
Opioid withdrawal timeline
Withdrawal follows a predictable, yet person-specific trajectory as the system recalibrates itself off opioids. General stages include:
Early withdrawal (0-48 hours)
Insomnia, anxiety, drug cravings, and widespread physical discomforts like muscle aches dominate the initial phase. The risk of dangerous complications remains relatively low at this point.
Peak withdrawal (48-72 hours)
All symptoms intensify and peak here, potentially disrupting daily functioning and risking severe health consequences without medical monitoring. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, sweats, hot flashes crowd alongside amplified cravings, restlessness and negative moods.
Late withdrawal (3-10+ days)
Physical discomfort gradually eases but residual psychological struggles like dysphoria, cravings and fatigue linger for one to four weeks on average. Lingering insomnia and other symptoms may complicate recovery.
Factors like co-occurring mental health issues, chronic pain untreated by safer alternatives to opioids, and stressful life events all exacerbate withdrawal challenges. Our integrated treatment model comprehensively addresses underlying issues through evidence-based therapies and lifestyle resources.
Variations in withdrawal severity
A few key variables alter how intensely individuals experience withdrawal:
Specific opioid used - Shorter-acting substances such as heroin produce more abrupt yet compressed symptom onset than longer-lasting formulations. Methadone withdrawal notoriously lasts weeks due to its very long half-life.
Usage history details - Heavier consumption levels, longer addiction duration, polydrug abuse patterns, and higher pre-withdrawal dosage directly tie to worse withdrawal severity and length.
Physical health issues - Chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infections or injuries exacerbate withdrawal distress potentially demanding medical monitoring and adjusted care planning. Underlying psychological disorders also exacerbate withdrawal.
Abrupt vs. managed cessation methods - Gradual, medically-supervised tapering lessens withdrawal's effects versus abrupt discontinuation risking life-threatening complications without stabilization. Our detox specialists individually tailor medically-managed tapers.
Social determinants of health - Stressful life events, lack of interpersonal or community support networks, poverty, unstable housing, and similar SDoH risk factors undermine coping and recovery if unaddressed. We focus on providing resources that empower clients to overcome all obstacles to lifelong wellness.
** Genetic factors** - Individualized vulnerabilities rooted in epigenetics and ancestral lineage influence biological experiences of withdrawal, resilience, and craving mechanisms too. No one faces addiction alone; our team champions each client's unique journey.
The multi-pronged approach to managing withdrawal safely
Detoxification aids the body and brain through various evidence-based therapeutic modalities working synergistically to stabilize both physical and psychological health for a smooth transition off opioids. Our inpatient detoxification facilities include:
24/7 medical supervision and regulated symptom monitoring
Individualized opioid medication tapers
Targeted therapies addressing detox milestones
Nutrition counseling and gourmet whole foods
Psychiatric therapy and case management
Creative arts, adventure therapy, music programs
Family education and programming
Treatment including PHP (partial hospitalization program)
pH Wellness Drug Rehab uniquely tailors care to clients’ rehabilitation needs through our integration of primary medical withdrawal management alongside addiction psychiatry, professional counseling, holistic wellness resources and community reinforcement—ensuring recovering individuals exit detox fully equipped to succeed long-term.
To learn more or schedule a free consultation at our state-licensed detox center, contact us today at 844-549-2488.
Medications making withdrawal safer and more comfortable
Prescription medications aid both detox specialists and clients through the physical components of opioid withdrawal in a regulated clinical setting. Common options our doctors precisely tailor to individual treatment plans include:
Opioid substitution therapies like methadone or buprenorphine, steering clients to gradually lower replacement dosage over weeks.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists like clonidine addressing symptoms rooted in autonomic overactivity like sweating, anxiety, nausea and insomnia.
Benzodiazepines easing muscle tension and relaxation issues.
5-HT3 antagonists blocking nausea/vomiting mechanisms.
Loperamide prevents diarrhea through its morphine-mimetic constipating effects in the gut.
NSAIDs reduce musculoskeletal aches and pains.
Antiemetics controlling nausea and appetite fluctuations.
Hydration resources offsetting fluid imbalances.
These pharmaceutical aids, administered under intensive monitoring by pH Wellness’ experienced medical doctors, safely alleviate withdrawal’s physical burden—paving the way for full mind and body healing through integrated treatment therapies. Our knowledgeable team welcomes all your questions.
Beyond Physical Symptoms: Detoxifying the Mind Too
While medications expunge opioids from the physiology, beating addiction demands confronting core cognitive distortions and thought patterns perpetuating substance abuse behaviors beyond cessation’s physical trials. Our specialized treatment model comprehensively tackles mental wellness through evidence-based counseling and therapeutic modalities including:
Individualized psychotherapy addressing triggers, maladaptive thought patterns and replacement coping strategies
Family systems therapy strengthening interpersonal relationships tested by addiction
Marriage and couples counseling resolving intimacy issues
Dialectical behavior therapy fostering distress tolerance and emotional regulation
Cognitive behavioral therapy challenging irrational beliefs driving addictive lifestyles
Psychoeducation lessons around addiction science, recovery maintenance over the lifespan
Experiential therapies like art, music, adventure-based and animal-assisted modalities
Mindfulness meditation and stress reduction practices bolstering new thinking habits
This 360-degree approach to healing the whole person instills durable recovery skills, resilience factors and prosocial support systems replacing addiction over the long run.
Relapse prevention: Fortifying recovery successes
Developing a strong support network of sober peers, mutual aid groups like Narcotics Anonymous, and clinical aftercare anchored by counselors familiar with each client’s evolving needs.
Advancing wellness through healthy lifestyle anchors like balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, regular exercise at our on-site [gym], stress management techniques and addressing co-occurring conditions.
Obtaining continuation addiction psychiatry through medication-assisted treatment if relevant, especially for conditions like opioid use disorder frequently requiring long-term pharmacotherapy maintenance.
Our multidisciplinary aftercare programming ensures no one graduates detox alone or unequipped for life’s trials, with 24/7 crisis support thereafter. pH Wellness pairs evidence-based protection strategies with empathetic guidance throughout relapses’ teachable moments—because every individual deserves unconditional care on their unique road to wellness.
Addiction recovery remains an ongoing process rather than a singular event. But with medical and community resources backing each step, fulfilling lives absolutely lie ahead.
The Path to Healing Starts from a Place of Compassion
No one achieves recovery through sheer force of will alone; addiction denotes a chronic illness afflicting millions while still stigmatized by many. Its complications furthermore stem from external risk factors like trauma, mental illness, lack of social support and socioeconomic disparities obstructing wellness that treatment alone cannot remedy.
pH Wellness Drug Treatment Center approaches each individual’s needs first and foremost from a stance of empathy, acceptance and belief in their intrinsic human worth— because healing stems as much from feeling heard, respected and cared for unconditionally as from clinical interventions. We champion the whole person embracing strengths, challenges, experiences and dreams in a nurturing therapeutic alliance.
Our goal involves empowering healthy choices through lifestyle resources, skills coaching and empowering people to reclaim control and potential in life regardless of past difficulties. Each step of recovery resides firmly in each individual’s hands alone—we simply walk beside with compassion, guidance and all tools necessary for fulfilling well-being, happiness and purpose ahead.
You need not face addiction alone any longer. Our caring team at pH Wellness stands ready to help build the foundation for lifelong healing and living fully. Pick up the phone today; your future self will be forever grateful. The time to reclaim your health, joy and purpose begins now.
Please call 844-549-2488 today to learn more or get started. Our priority involves empowering each individual's long-term success—because you deserve nothing less than all you're capable of becoming. The journey to wellness starts here.