Healing Begins Here
What Happens When You Withdraw From Opioids?
What are Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle aches and pains
- Restlessness or irritability
- Anxiety or agitation
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Excessive sweating
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Goosebumps or chills
As the body adjusts to the absence of opioids, these symptoms may intensify before gradually improving. In some cases, individuals may also experience more severe symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, and rapid heartbeat. Find opioid addiction treatment at our residential rehab in Portland. We help people quit drug use and teach strategies for relapse prevention.
Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
The first few days after stopping or reducing opioid use are often the most intense. Symptoms usually start within 12 hours and peak around 72 hours after the last use. This period, known as acute withdrawal, may include flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, agitation, and muscle aches.
As the acute withdrawal period ends, symptoms may start to improve but can still be uncomfortable. Many individuals report feeling restless and anxious and having difficulty sleeping during this stage.
By the end of the first week, most physical symptoms have subsided or significantly decreased. However, psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression may persist for longer periods.
Symptoms may continue to improve over the following weeks. However, some individuals may experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression for several months.
Heroin Withdrawal
Fentanyl Withdrawal
Kratom Withdrawal
How Long Do Opioids Last in Your System?
- Urine Test: typically detectable for 1 to 3 days after the last use (methadone and buprenorphine may be detected longer)
- Blood Test: usually detectable for up to 24 hours
- Saliva Test: detectable for 1 to 4 days
- Hair Test: detectable for up to 90 days
Can You Stop Using Opioids By Yourself?
Opioid Addiction Treatment: Residential Care and Medication-Assisted Treatment
Our residential treatment program provides 24/7 care in a structured, supportive environment. Removing yourself from the triggers and stressors of daily life allows you to focus entirely on recovery. Clients in our residential program engage in daily individual and group therapy, build life skills, and work closely with our clinical team to develop a personalized recovery plan. For those who need an extended level of support, our 90-day treatment program offers additional time to stabilize and build a strong foundation for sobriety.
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with therapy and counseling to treat opioid use disorder. MAT reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it significantly easier to engage with and benefit from the therapeutic work of recovery. Commonly used medications include:
- Methadone: a long-acting opioid that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings
- Buprenorphine: helps ease withdrawal symptoms and suppress cravings
- Naltrexone: blocks opioid receptors to reduce the rewarding effects of opioids and support sustained sobriety
- Clonidine: manages physical symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, and muscle aches during early recovery
Therapy for Opioid Addiction
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): helps identify and reshape the thought patterns and behaviors that drive substance use
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): builds emotional regulation skills and distress tolerance for long-term stability
- Individual Therapy: one-on-one sessions that address personal history, trauma, and recovery goals
- Group Therapy:peer-supported sessions that reduce isolation and build accountability
- Family Therapy: rebuilds trust and communication with loved ones, creating a stronger support system at home
Self-Care During Opioid Withdrawal
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Eat nutritious meals to provide your body with the energy it needs
- Get adequate rest and sleep to help your body recover
- Engage in gentle physical activity, such as walking or yoga, to improve mood and reduce muscle aches
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to manage anxiety and stress
- Seek support from loved ones or a support group to help you through this challenging time
Opioid Addiction Treatment in Portland
Opioid Withdrawal FAQ
The specific opioid involved significantly shapes the withdrawal experience. Short-acting opioids like heroin cause withdrawal symptoms to begin within hours and resolve more quickly.
Longer-acting opioids such as methadone may delay the onset of symptoms by a day or more but can produce a prolonged withdrawal that stretches over several weeks. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl, due to their potency, can produce particularly intense withdrawal. Your individual history matters too. Crestview’s clinical team conducts thorough assessments to account for these differences.
Withdrawal refers to the symptoms the body produces when opioid use stops. Detox is the supervised medical process of managing those symptoms safely. Detox is not treatment on its own; it’s a first step. Long-term recovery from opioid addiction requires follow-up care, including therapy, relapse prevention planning, and peer support, which Crestview Recovery provides through a full continuum of programs.
Yes. Medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and clonidine can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings. These are part of a broader approach called medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines pharmacological support with behavioral therapies. MAT is supervised by medical professionals and has strong evidence behind it as part of comprehensive opioid addiction treatment.
Physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal typically peak within 2–3 days and subside within a week. Psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, irritability, and cravings, often take longer to resolve and can persist for weeks or even months. This is sometimes referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Ongoing therapy through individual counseling, DBT, or group therapy plays a key role in working through this phase.
Stopping opioid use abruptly without medical supervision is not recommended. While opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal on its own, severe dehydration, cardiovascular stress, and the intense discomfort of withdrawal dramatically increase the risk of relapse, which is when overdose risk is highest, as tolerance drops quickly. A medically supervised approach protects both safety and long-term outcomes.
Having family involved in recovery can meaningfully improve outcomes. Family members can provide encouragement, help identify warning signs of relapse, and learn how to support without enabling. Crestview Recovery offers family therapy as part of the treatment process to help rebuild trust and communication while equipping loved ones with practical tools.
