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Opioid Addiction and the Brain

Understanding Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Opioid withdrawal is a complex and often difficult process that occurs when an individual stops using opioids after a period of prolonged use. It can manifest both physical and emotional symptoms that can be challenging to manage. Physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and sweating, while emotional symptoms can range from anxiety and restlessness to depression and irritability.

April 20, 2023

C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic Team

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If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, it's important to understand the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and how to manage them. Opioid withdrawal can be a challenging and uncomfortable process, but with the right support and treatment, it's possible to overcome.

What is Opioid Withdrawal?

Opioid withdrawal is a set of physical and emotional symptoms that occur when someone stops using opioids after developing dependence. Opioid withdrawal can occur after a few hours or days of not using opioids, depending on the type and amount of opioids used.

Common Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms:

The symptoms of opioid withdrawal can vary in severity and duration, but some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramping and pain
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Anxiety, restlessness, and irritability
  • Insomnia and fatigue
  • Sweating and chills
  • Dilated pupils and blurry vision

Managing Opioid Withdrawal:

There are several options for managing opioid withdrawal, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and support services. MAT can be highly effective in managing withdrawal symptoms and reducing the risk of relapse. Methadone is a commonly used medication in MAT for opioid addiction and can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

Counseling and support services can also be helpful in managing opioid withdrawal and addiction. These services can provide individuals with the tools and skills needed to cope with triggers and stressors that can lead to relapse.

At CORE Medical Clinic, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment services, including medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and support services, to help individuals overcome opioid addiction and achieve lasting recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction or experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms, please contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help.

Educational content from Core Medical Clinic. This article does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Initially, an intake assessment and admission medical history and exam is completed by counseling and medical staff. Treatment options are discussed and a course of action taken. Medication recommendations are made and initated to balance safety and benefit as much as possible. It is very important to let counseling, dispensing and medical staff know how the medication is working or not so appropriate adjustments can be made.

At C.O.R.E., we strive to individualize treatment and maximize success. There is no time pressure. Some do well with short term treatment while others benefit from long term treatment. We know relapse is common and can have disasterous results. We work hard to treat each patient as long as is required to achieve long term success.

First we work closely with the individual to achieve a “normalizing’ dose of medication to alleviate withdrawal and craving while minimizing side effects. Working closely with medical, dispensing and counseling staff most often allows us to achieve this goal in the first few days to weeks.

Not necessarily. C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic serves patients in Sacramento, West Sacramento, and surrounding areas. People often choose a clinic based on accessibility, treatment needs, and location.

C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic accepts several health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, MHN, Anthem, Medicare, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Optum, Blue Shield of California, Magellan Health, and Western Health Advantage.

As most patients entering treatment know, opioid withdrawal is awful and inevitably leads to continued use. We are sensitive to how terrible the craving, restlessness, anxiety, bone aches, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, sweating, etc. can be. If alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other drugs are involved withdrawal can be medically dangerous and require residential or coordinated medical care. Opioid withdrawal can be greatly reduced or eliminated by the early doses provided but again frequent contact with treatment staff for medication adjustments is very important.

The great majority of patients seeking treatment for opioid addiction can continue their normal life, including work, while they are working to find their ’normalizing’ medication dose. If residential or coordinated medical care is required, some time off may be necessary but again this will be individualized. Clinic hours are designed to accommodate the vast majority of working patients.

We work hard to educate patients about the benefits and safety of MAT. Many myths circulate about MAT such as it causing liver problems, bone problems and being harder to get off than fentanyl or heroin. These are absolutely false and will be discussed in detail with your treatment staff. Patients who receive MAT are much healthier than patients not in treatment. Learning to manage common side effects like constipation and weight gain can make patients healthier than they have ever been. All opioids are hard to get off but MAT can set up a very careful and safe detox when a patient is ready. An abrupt short term detox is not advised and can be difficult but a gradual, medically safe detox minimizes withdrawal symptoms. Supplemental safe, non addicting medications can further reduce unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

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