8 Common Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioid addiction is a serious problem for so many people all around the globe, and opioid withdrawal symptoms are some of the most severe.
There are many opiate withdrawal symptoms, some are emotional, and some are physical.
Today we’ll review 8 of the most common withdrawal symptoms of the first 24 hours and 8 of the most common withdrawal symptoms after the first 24 hours.
Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal isn’t the same for everyone. It can be much more severe for some. Initial signs of withdrawal can often emerge within merely 24 hours. Possible symptoms are:
- Restless Behavior
- Muscle Pain
- Runny Nose
- Tearing of the Eyes
- Nervousness
- Frequent Yawning
- Sleep Problems
- Immoderate Sweating
- People who cease drug use often experience these withdrawal symptoms extremely quickly.
Other withdrawal symptoms tend to develop at later times. These symptoms are generally a lot stronger. They frequently show up after 24 hours or so have gone by. Examples of these withdrawal signs are:
- Nausea
- Throwing up
- Diarrhea and Abdominal Pain
- High Blood Pressure
- Fast Heartbeat
- Pupil Dilation
- Blurred Eyesight
- Presence of Goosebumps
These withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly tough on people. They typically start to get better within three days. They generally mostly go away within seven days as well.
Withdrawal in Adults and Babies
These potential withdrawal symptoms aren’t at all limited to adults. That’s because they can even affect young babies. If a baby’s mother had an addiction problem during pregnancy, the little one could experience troubling withdrawal signs herself. Signs of withdrawal symptoms in babies are seizures, throwing up, dehydration, feeding troubles and, last but not least, digestive woes.
Different Opioids Have Varying Withdrawal Experiences
Withdrawal signs can vary greatly. No two drugs are 100 percent the same. Some drugs stay in the body for lengthier periods. Other drugs exit them relatively quickly. Heroin is an example of a drug that usually exits the body rapidly. Heroin withdrawal symptoms and effects of heroin withdrawal, as a result, tend to develop symptoms quickly. Methadone withdrawal symptoms, on the other hand, tend to develop withdrawal symptoms a lot later. A heroin addict may start experiencing conspicuous withdrawal effects in less than 12 hours. A methadone addict may start experiencing them in 36 hours. It always depends on the specific drug.
Should I be Worried About Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms generally are not cause for alarm. Heroin withdrawal death is highly uncommon and unlikely, but symptoms of heroin withdrawal can lead to death, for example, diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration or heart failure from overstress.
People usually experience withdrawal symptoms for just a week. There are other people, however, who experience them for as long as a month. The emotional effects of withdrawal tend to be particularly persistent. Emotional withdrawal signs include but are not restricted to sleeplessness, anxiety, and lack of energy. It isn’t even unusual for people to suffer from emotional withdrawal symptoms for several months. These long withdrawal periods are particularly common in individuals who have ceased significant dosage amounts.
Recovery From Opioid Addiction
Recovering from dependence can be extremely difficult, frustrating and uncomfortable for many individuals. That’s because it can often lead to serious and persistent withdrawal symptoms. If an individual is trying to get over a severe dependence issue, he may experience both physical and emotional effects. His doctor may even prescribe him Suboxone, a medication that can help minimize withdrawal effects. Suboxone can often assist people who require in-depth detoxification.
