What’s stopping you from finding help for an opioid use disorder (OUD)? Is it the thought of getting through opioid detox and withdrawal symptoms? According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid such as prescription pain medication or illegal street drugs like heroin.
If you’re concerned about opioid withdrawal, that means you likely already have a physical dependence on and tolerance to prescription pain medication. That addiction opens the door for an overdose or other serious consequences to your health and well-being.
Getting help for opioid addiction is the best course of action. Footprints to Recovery is a full-service addiction treatment center with specialized and certified clinical staff. Our medical detox team has helped countless others overcome an opioid use disorder and move on to a brighter future.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids come in three categories:
- Natural: derived from the opium poppy plant (e.g., morphine and codeine)
- Semi-synthetic: chemically modified natural opioids (e.g., oxycodone and hydrocodone)
- Synthetic: entirely man-made (e.g., fentanyl and tramadol)
Many opioids are medications prescribed by doctors to treat pain. But no matter the type of opioid, taking it over a long period can increase your risk of developing a tolerance and physical dependence. That increases your risk of overdose.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioid withdrawal syndrome can produce symptoms that vary in intensity and duration depending on:
- The type of opioids used
- How long you’ve been taking opioids
- The dosage
- Whether you have other substances in your body
- Individual factors such as your physiology and metabolism
Opioid withdrawal symptoms emerge when a person addicted to opioids stops or reduces their opioid use.
Some of the most common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Sweating
- Muscle aches
- Severe pain
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Treating opioid withdrawal is easier when you trust a professional treatment center with your drug abuse. Management of opioid withdrawal is something the team at Footprints to Recovery can help with. Our alcohol and drug treatment center is a safe and comfortable place to turn your life around.
What Is the Timeline for Opioid Detox?
One of the first questions many have before they enter a detox program is how long it will take. How long it takes to detox from opioids depends on many different factors like:
- The specific drug used
- How long you’ve been taking opioids
- The dosage of opioid pain medication you take
- How severe your withdrawal symptoms are
Some opioids are short-acting, and withdrawal symptoms tend to occur 6 to 12 hours after the last dose. Short-acting opioids include:
- Immediate-release morphine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Tramadol
- Codeine
Other opioids are long-acting, and opioid withdrawal symptoms first emerge within one to two days. Long-acting opioids include:
- Morphine-controlled or extended-release (Oramorph, Kadian, Avinza)
- Oxycodone-controlled or extended-release (OxyContin)
- Fentanyl transdermal (Duragesic)
- Oxymorphone extended-release (Opana)
