Opiates are a type of pain medication that’s very effective in treating moderate to severe pain. It also comes with a high risk of addiction, serious side effects, and withdrawal. How long does opiate withdrawal last? That depends on the length and severity of the abuse. If you’re taking opiates for pain, they’re safe to take when you follow the prescription and avoid any recreational drugs or alcohol while on the medication.
Recovery Ranch PA is a full-service addiction treatment center that welcomes clients who have developed an addiction to their opiate medication and want to stop. Our opiate rehab utilizes the top therapeutic methods for treating opiate abuse, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and holistic therapies to create a whole-person recovery experience. You’ll participate in private and group therapy sessions where you’ll learn new coping skills and how to manage your symptoms and triggers better.
The Dangers of Opiate Abuse
Opiates are prescribed to reduce pain levels in people after surgery or a car accident and those who suffer from chronic pain. While it’s very effective, it comes with a risk of dependence and addiction.
Dependence is the physical need for opiates, and when it doesn’t get what it wants, your body will begin to experience several withdrawal symptoms, which include:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Muscle aches and pains
- Insomnia
- Excessive sweating
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
An addiction to opiates describes the psychological need for more opiates. Opiate abuse alters your brain chemistry to the point where it needs a steady supply of opiates just to function.
Why are opiates so dangerous? Many people abuse their prescription for the euphoric effects. They double up their prescription or take it with alcohol, cannabis, and other depressants. This creates a high risk of addiction along with respiratory depression, where your breathing will slow down and cause hypoxia or a lack of oxygen to the brain. This is the primary cause of fatal overdoses.
Long-term abuse of opiates can lead to a high tolerance level and requires you to take more and more. It can also cause depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as cognitive decline, organ damage, and a weakened immune system.
How Long Does Opiate Withdrawal Last?
If you try to stop abusing opiates alone, you’ll most likely relapse and run the risk of overdosing. When withdrawal symptoms peak between 48–72 hours, it can cause intense cravings that are hard to resist and this is when most people relapse.
If you’re wondering how long does opiate withdrawal lasts, here is a timeline and what to expect during opiate withdrawals.
Early Symptoms: 6–12 Hours
When you first decide to stop taking opiates, you’ll experience several withdrawal symptoms as your body begins the slow process of cleansing itself of the toxins. During the first six-12 hours, you can expect to feel anxiety, restlessness, muscle aches and pains, and insomnia. You’ll also experience:
- Excessive sweating
- Runny nose
- Teary eyes
- Frequent yawning
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
The severity of these symptoms depends on how long the abuse continued and how much you took.
Peak Symptoms: 24–72 Hours
Your symptoms will intensify over the next two to three days, and cravings will worsen. Symptoms will include nausea and vomiting, severe muscle cramps, joint pain, depression, and rapid mood swings. You may also experience increased sensitivity to light, goosebumps, and chills.
This is the stage where most people relapse. If they abuse the same amount or more, it can cause an overdose and death.
Late Symptoms: 3–7 Days
At this point, opiate withdrawal symptoms will begin to fade, and you’ll start to experience fewer symptoms as the days go by. You’ll still experience depression and anxiety, fatigue, decreased appetite, and insomnia. Cravings will also continue but will become less over time.
The best way to get through opiate withdrawals is by enrolling in an opiate rehab program. They’ll create a recovery program that’ll include medication to ease withdrawals and cravings, along with behavioral and holistic therapy to help stop future cravings.
Connect with The Ranch PA and Enroll in Opiate Rehab Today
The Ranch PA supports people from all walks of life who struggle with opiate addiction and need help with getting through withdrawals and cravings. Our therapists have experience treating all types of addiction and will create a comfortable space for you to talk about the addiction and uncover the real reason behind the abuse.
To have a conversation about how long opiate withdrawal lasts and to learn more about our opiate rehab, call 717.969.9126 or complete our online form today.