If a person stops taking opioids, they may experience symptoms, such as restlessness, uncontrolled pain, and trouble sleeping. While it can be challenging, support is available to help make the process safer and easier.
Opioids are a class of drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat pain. It’s important to know that these drugs can cause physical dependency and addiction.
If you stop or decrease the number of opioids you’re taking, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal. This is especially true if you’ve been using these medications at high doses for several weeks or more.
Many systems in your body are altered when you take large amounts of opioids for a long time. Withdrawal effects occur because it takes time for your body to adjust to no longer having opioids in your system.
You shouldn’t stop taking prescribed opioid medication without speaking with a doctor. They can provide you with a tapering plan to ensure that you can stop taking opioids in the safest way possible.
Opioid withdrawal: Sarah’s story
“I first began taking opioids after I had a diagnostic surgery for endometriosis in 2017. It was my first ever surgery, and whilst the procedure was relatively minor, I woke up in severe pain. Like many people who undergo surgery, I was prescribed opioid painkillers to help me through my recovery. I assumed that the severe pain would only last a few days, whilst my body recovered from the procedure, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
The pain continued to worsen, to the point I was physically unable to do anything. I was only 20 at the time, and in the midst of my undergraduate degree. I was supposed to be experiencing the best years of my life, but instead I was completely bed bound.”
When you take opioid medication for a long time, your body becomes desensitized to the effects. Over time, your body needs more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect. This can be life threatening and increases your risk of accidental overdose.
Prolonged use of these drugs
Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s response to the absence of the drug. It can have a significant effect on both your physical and mental health.
Some people may become dependent on these drugs in order to manage pain. In some cases, people don’t even realize that they’ve become dependent. They may mistake withdrawal for symptoms of the flu or another condition.
The symptoms you experience will depend on the level of withdrawal you are experiencing. Everyone experiences opioid withdrawal differently. However, there’s typically a timeline for the progression of symptoms.
Early symptoms typically begin in the first 24 hours after you stop using the drug, and they
- muscle aches
- restlessness
- anxiety
- lacrimation (eyes tearing up)
- runny nose
- excessive sweating
- inability to sleep
- yawning very often
Later symptoms, which can be more intense, begin after the first day or so. They include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal cramping
- goosebumps on the skin
- nausea and vomiting
- dilated pupils and possibly blurry vision
- rapid heart rate
- high blood pressure
- depression
Symptoms usually begin to improve within 72 hours, and within a week you should notice a significant decrease in the acute symptoms of opiate withdrawal.
That said, withdrawal symptoms may not always follow a predictable timeline, and not everyone will recover at the same pace. Some people may experience more severe symptoms that persist for a longer period.
If you’ve stopped taking opioid medication and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, speak with a doctor as soon as possible. They can help manage symptoms and adjust your medication regimen.
Opioid withdrawal: Sarah’s story
“Whilst I had been taking opioids for a little under half a decade at this point, on and off, I didn’t consider myself to be addicted to them in any way whatsoever. So, when I decided to stop cold-turkey, I didn’t really think it would be a challenge, but that was far from the truth. Within hours, my body went into opioid withdrawal. I was no stranger to pain, but I had never experienced anything like this. Every part of my body, from my head to toes ached. I was dripping with sweat one second and shivering the next. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or even talk. My mental health quickly took a dip, and I found myself having thoughts of suicide. It was the most difficult thing I had ever endured.
I made an emergency appointment with my GP, who explained the dangers of stopping opioids all of a sudden, especially considering how long I had been on them. We made a plan to slowly wean off the opioids in a safe way and under regular medical supervision.”
Opioid withdrawal can be challenging, and many people continue taking these drugs to avoid unpleasant symptoms, or they try to manage these symptoms on their own. However, medical treatment in a controlled environment can make you more comfortable and lead to a greater chance of success.
Mild withdrawal
Plenty of fluids and rest are important. Medications such as loperamide can help with diarrhea and hydroxyzine may ease nausea.
More intense withdrawal symptoms may require hospitalization and other medications, such as clonidine. Clonidine can help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, including:
- anxiety
- cramping
- muscle aches
- restlessness
- sweating
- tears
- runny nose
If you are currently experiencing withdrawal or about to begin a tapering schedule, there are several things you can do to help ease symptoms.
- Stay hydrated: As withdrawal can often lead to symptoms such as sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea, it’s essential to drink plenty of water and stay well-hydrated.
- Eat small meals regularly: It’s common to experience nausea during the withdrawal phase. Eating small meals that are gentle on the stomach, rather than big meals, can help. This can include foods such as:
- crackers
- bananas
- white rice
- soups
- plain white toast
- Get plenty of rest: The withdrawal phase can be hard on your body and may disrupt your sleep. Where possible, try to take regular breaks. It can also be helpful to create a dark and peaceful environment before sleep to reduce the chances of insomnia.
- Prioritise self-care: Self-care is vital during withdrawal, as it can help to ease symptoms and make them more manageable. This can include relaxation techniques or engaging in activities that help you unwind and stay calm, such as taking a warm bath or watching a comforting, low-stimulating TV show.
If withdrawal is affecting your mental health and you would benefit from speaking with a mental health professional, there are many support options available.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline for treatment referral and information for people or families facing substance misuse or mental health problems. In the United States, people can access the helpline by calling 1-800-662-4357.
Opioid withdrawal: Sarah’s story
“As amazing as my GP was, a part of me did resent my healthcare team for not really monitoring my opioid usage prior to this. No one mentioned how easily your body could become addicted to them, which was concerning. If I hadn’t taken the initiative to stop taking them myself, I would probably have been taking them for the rest of my life. I wish someone had warned me about this at the beginning of my journey.
My primary advice to anyone who is deciding to come off opioids is to make sure you are doing so under medical supervision and have a strong support network around you. To this day, I still think it was the most difficult thing I have ever endured. It took an entire year before I was able to completely stop taking opioids, but I’m glad that I took my time and was patient, because it is a gruelling and taxing process.”
If a person stops taking opioids, they may experience withdrawl symptoms, such as restlessness, uncontrolled pain, and trouble sleeping.
Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s response to the absence of the drug. It can have a significant effect on both your physical and mental health. While it can be challenging, support is available to help make the process safer and easier.
Seeking help for opioid addiction can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of relapse, accidental overdose, and complications related to opioid addiction.
Talk with a doctor about treatment programs or support groups in your area.