How long does opioid withdrawal last?
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can occur when you try to stop or reduce your dependence on an opioid drug. Opioid drugs include prescription medications, such as the painkiller morphine, and illicit or illegal drugs such as heroin. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition that occurs when a person is unable to stop themselves from using an opioid drug.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and can make you feel like you have a bad flu, but they are not usually life threatening.
Withdrawal symptoms will only occur if you are dependent or addicted to the drug you are trying to reduce or stop using. Anyone taking an opioid may become addicted to it, however, it usually takes about 2 weeks to become physically dependent on an opioid drug. Regular use of an opioid is also more likely to lead to a physical dependence.
How long opioid withdrawal lasts depends on the opioid you have been taking and whether it is a short-acting or long acting opioid.
Short-acting opioids work quickly and for a shorter period of time, while longer-acting opioids may take longer to work and work for a longer period of time.
-
If you have been using a short-acting opioid, acute opioid withdrawal lasts 4 to 10 days, with withdrawal symptoms starting 8 to 24 hours after last use.
-
If you have been using a long-acting opioid, acute opioid withdrawal lasts 10 to 20 days, with withdrawal symptoms starting 12 to 48 hours after last use.
After the initial period of opioid withdrawal, you may have strong cravings for opioids and have a diminished sense of well-being for up to 6 months.
| Short-acting opioids | Long-acting opioids |
|---|---|
|
|
Related questions
- How long does oxycodone stay in your system?
- Which drugs cause opioid-induced constipation?
- Oxycodone vs OxyContin - What's the difference?
What are the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal?
Common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Opioid craving
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Other symptoms include stomach cramps, muscle spasms and tension, feeling cold, aches and pains, yawning, watery eyes and nose, hot and cold flushes and a pounding heart.
Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the drug you have been taking and how dependent you are on it. Medications and supportive care can help reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Tapering off opioids, which involves gradually reducing the dose of opioid you take, can also help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
References
- Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 4, Withdrawal Management. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/.
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). Short-acting opioids - To relieve pain. December 2018. [Accessed September 2, 2022]. Available from: https://www.chumontreal.qc.ca/sites/default/files/2019-05/673-1-Short-acting-opioids-to-relieve-pain.pdf.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Opioid Addiction - The Science of Addiction. [Accessed September 2, 2022]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/opioids/science-of-addiction.html.
Read next
How long does oxycodone take to work?
Immediate-release oxycodone starts to work quickly, within 10 to 30 minutes, but it may take up to 1 hour for it to be fully absorbed, and the full effects reached. Food can delay how quickly oxycodone takes to work, but not how much is absorbed. Continue reading
What are the withdrawal symptoms of oxycodone?
Withdrawal from oxycodone is likely to happen to people who have taken oxycodone consistently or misused oxycodone. Common symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Cravings for oxycodone – these are one of the main symptoms that drive relapse
- Diarrhea
- Fast heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Muscle aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sleep disturbances/Insomnia
- Stomach cramps
- Sweating.
How can I get emergency methadone?
If you are experiencing a medical emergency due to opioid withdrawal, you should call 911 right away. You may need to be transported to a hospital for treatment. If appropriate, emergency methadone or other treatment can be administered as determined by a healthcare provider for acute withdrawal. Continue reading
See also:
Aimovig
Learn about Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be ...
Nurtec ODT
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is used to treat acute migraines and prevent episodic migraines, by ...
Botox
Botox is used for cosmetic purposes and to treat overactive bladder symptoms, urinary incontinence ...
Vyepti
Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is used for the preventive treatment of migraine. Includes Vyepti ...
Depakote
Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Learn about side effects ...
Topamax
Topamax (topiramate) is used to prevent seizures in adults and children and to prevent migraine ...
Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a CGRP antagonist for the preventive treatment of migraine and for ...
Inderal
Inderal (propranolol) is used to treat angina, high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders ...
Ajovy
Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) is a preventive migraine treatment. Includes Ajovy side effects ...
Valproate Sodium
Valproate Sodium is used for epilepsy, seizure prevention, seizures
Related medical questions
- Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone - How do they compare?
- Which painkiller should you use?
- What is Hydrochloride or HCL in a drugname?
- How addictive is OxyContin (oxycodone)?
- Treating Opioid Overdose with Naloxone
- How do I use opioid pain medications safely?
- Suboxone vs methadone: What’s the difference?
- How long does methadone withdrawal last?
- Does methadone show up on a drug test?
- Is methadone an opiate blocker?
- What is a methadone clinic / are they free?
- How long does buprenorphine stay in your system?
- What are the different brands of buprenorphine?
- Is buprenorphine an opiate / narcotic?
- What is the difference between Sublocade and Brixadi?
- What are the different types of buprenorphine/naloxone?
- How long do you take buprenorphine for?
- Is Buprenex the same as buprenorphine?
- How does fentanyl compare to heroin or other opiates?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Oxycodone (265 questions, 2,629 members)
- Methadone (78 questions, 2,948 members)
- Buprenorphine (40 questions, 342 members)
- Heroin (20 questions, 909 members)
- Opiate Dependence (150 questions, 2,362 members)
- Opiate Withdrawal (60 questions, 2,350 members)