Opiate-based drugs include some of the most addictive substances in the world.  Among the opiate family are:  heroin, Vicodin, Percocet, methadone, OxyContin and other drugs that have serious medical and social consequences when abused.

To get help overcoming addiction to these drugs, the individual must enter drug rehab.  And to begin drug rehab, there must be a proper detox period.  Detox refers to the process of removing the toxins found in the opiates from the body.  The most notable event during detox is withdrawal – and it can be a challenge for even the most determined individual.

What is opiate withdrawal?

Opiate withdrawal occurs when the body begins craving the drug in question, after the individual stops taking it.  Although withdrawal symptoms only last for several days, and are rarely life-threatening, they still present some potential problems – most notably the fact that individuals tend to relapse during this period, as they are unable to deal with the discomfort caused by the withdrawal.

For this reason, it is always recommended that detox and withdrawal are supervised by a medical professional in a safe and controlled environment.

What are the symptoms of opiate withdrawal?

As anyone who works in a drug treatment center will tell you, there are several common withdrawal symptoms experienced by most individuals who are trying to defeat their opiate addiction.  The symptoms include: sweating, muscles aches and pains, diarrhea, goose bumps and chills, nausea and vomiting.

How long to opiate withdrawal symptoms last?

Although the length of time varies according to the individual, and the level of their addiction, withdrawal symptoms generally last anywhere from 72 hours to 3 weeks.  The individual can expect the withdrawal symptoms to begin fairly early in the detox process, usually around 6 – 24 hours after the last dose of the drug has been taken.

What happens next?

Detox, and the withdrawal symptoms associated with it, are only part of the drug rehab process.  This is the step required to overcome the physical addiction to opiates.   To defeat the psychological component to addiction, one must engage in group counseling, individual counseling and other programs offered by a drug treatment center.  These programs help change the behavior of the individual and educate them about the root causes of their opiate addiction, and how they can make better decisions moving forward.  Taken together, detox, opiate withdrawal and counseling form a powerful set of programs designed to help the individual get sober and stay that way.

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