Detox Withdrawal: Symptoms of Heroin and Opiate Withdrawal

Learn About What to Expect in Opiate Detox

In 2014, about 435,000 people in the U.S. used the opiate drug heroin. In the same year, 4.3 million people abused opioid painkillers. The two drug classes are closely related, as opioids are synthetic forms of opiates. These narcotics have high rates of abuse and include codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, meperidine, morphine, and oxycodone. A recent CDC study reported that heroin deaths increased in 28 states in the U.S. during 2012. In the same year, the study also reported more than double the number of deaths from opioids. This is compared to the number of deaths from heroin within the same states. The CDC report cited two factors as causes for the increases in overdose rates:

• Opioid availability is leading to growing rates of opioid addiction.
• An increase in the heroin supply is leading to wider availability of the drug.

Heroin abuse is on the rise in huge numbers, with about 100 people dying each day from overdoses. People who abuse prescription pain meds obtained from doctors will switch to heroin when the legal supply of opioids expires. Call 866-491-4426 to Speak With an Addiction Specialist 

Physical Dependence

Abuse of heroin or opioids may lead to physical dependence. This happens when a person needs the drug to avoid feeling sick. Painful withdrawal symptoms emerge when the drug is not available. Chemical Dependency occurs in different time frames for different people. Some can become dependent in a short period of time, even if they are taking the medication as prescribed. Over time, tolerance builds and the individual needs more of the drug to feel the same effects. Once a person stops taking the drug or tries to cut back, the body becomes unstable. This is when the body is used to the drug’s presence and now functions more “normally” with it than without it. This is why it reacts and withdrawal symptoms begin to emerge.

Stages of Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms for Heroin and Other Opiates/Opioids

The symptoms appear as the body begins to withdraw from the drug. The stages of opiate withdrawal symptoms can become very unpleasant but can be managed and reduced with proper medical support. Symptoms will appear within 12 hours of the last heroin usage and within 30 hours of the last dose of methadone. For prescription meds, symptom onset will vary according to the drug of abuse. Early symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Aching muscles.
• Bone pain
• Cravings
• Cold flashes
• Lethargy
• Runny eyes and nose.
• Sleeplessness
• Excessive perspiring.
• Excessive yawning.

Later symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Goosebumps (hence the name “cold turkey”)
• Kicking motions.
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Call 866-491-4426 to Speak With an Addiction Specialist People who have severe cravings during detox may quickly go back to substance abuse and relapse without having support. Anyone having cravings should seek a medical detox program to assist them. With support, the person will be able to get through the detox process safely without a relapse. They can then attend a treatment program such as LifeSync Malibu to learn how to live a substance-free lifestyle. Treatment is a must for long-term recovery success.