Opiate Withdrawal Duration

About Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

Opiates such as heroin, morphine, and prescription painkillers, are one of the most addictive drugs. Many people who voluntary take opiates just one time end up forming an addiction to the drug.

Addiction is a brain disease that will cause a person to compulsively look for and use drugs. In addition to addiction, opiates form rapid tolerance levels and cause people to become dependent on them.

The most painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal usual subside within a week.

When a person is addicted to opiates they will continually think about and use the drug, and because of this, their body will become used to the drug. Once their body has become used to the drug, the minute that the drug is no longer in their system the user will begin to experience withdrawals from the drug.

When a person decides to stop using opiates all together, they will have to undergo the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can vary, but they are always difficult for a person to go through and some people need assistance with getting through them.

According to the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, early symptoms of opiate withdrawal include, anxiety, sweating, increased tearing, insomnia, agitation, runny nose, yawning and muscle aches. Later symptoms of withdrawal include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and Goosebumps.

Opiate withdrawal symptoms are very similar to a person having the flu, except they may last a bit longer.

Opiate Withdrawal Duration

When it comes to opiate withdrawal duration, factors such as the length of time a person has been using and the amount of opiates they used, will impact their duration period.

The physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal, such as, muscle cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and nausea, are the most prominent within the first few days of detox and usually last about a week.

The mental symptoms of opiate withdrawal, such as, insomnia, rapid mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, and consistent irritation, last much longer. The mental withdrawal symptoms can last for months or years after a person stops using, which is why receiving treatment for these symptoms is of the utmost importance. Although the physical withdrawal symptoms may be painful for a person to go through, the mental withdrawal symptoms are the main cause in a person relapsing on opiates.

Addiction is a brain disease, and therefore treatment to heal the brain is a necessity for a person to recover from an opiate addiction. This usually consists of continual therapy sessions and medication, if applicable. Opiate addiction rehab centers will provide a person with both the mental and physical resources to help them get through the withdrawal symptoms, which is why they are the most effective method of treatment for opiate addiction.