If you or someone you care about is thinking about getting off opioids, you may be feeling a mix of emotions. Maybe you’re scared. Maybe you’re hopeful. Maybe you’re not sure where to start. That’s OK.
The truth is, opioid withdrawal can be hard, but help is out there. People recover every day, and so can you. This article will walk you through what to expect during withdrawal, how treatment works, and the most common options that can help you feel better and stay on your path to healing.
Let’s take a look at the key steps in opioid withdrawal treatment and how you can get the support you deserve.
Understanding opioid withdrawal: What happens to your body
When you use opioids, like prescription pain pills or heroin, for a while, your body gets used to having them around. It’s not a choice; it’s a physical change in your brain. When the opioids are stopped or greatly reduced, your body reacts with something called withdrawal. This isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s just your body trying to adjust to not having the opioid anymore.
Withdrawal isn’t the same for everyone. It can feel different depending on how long you used opioids, how frequently you used them, and your overall health. The symptoms of withdrawal can feel really awful, but they’re not usually life-threatening, and include:
- Feeling restless and anxious
- Muscle aches and pains
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Sweating and chills
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Excessive yawning
- Insomnia
- Cravings to use opioids again
These feelings are temporary. Your body is doing its best to get back to how it was before opioids.
Why seek treatment for opioid withdrawal?
While opioid withdrawal itself usually isn’t dangerous, trying to go through it alone can be very risky.
Here’s why getting help is so important:
- Safety — Medical professionals can help keep you safe and comfortable, preventing complications.
- Comfort — Medications can greatly reduce the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, making the process much more manageable.
- Relapse prevention — The intense cravings and discomfort of withdrawal can make it very hard to resist using again. With support and dedication, you have a much better chance of staying on your recovery path.
- Risk of overdose — If you go through withdrawal and then use opioids again, your body’s tolerance to the drug goes down. This means if you use the same amount you used before, you could accidentally take too much and overdose. Treatment helps lower this risk.
- Recovery focus — When you’re not battling severe withdrawal symptoms, you can start focusing on the next steps in your recovery journey, like counseling and building new, healthier coping skills.
Key steps in opioid withdrawal treatment
Treatment for opioid withdrawal often involves a few key steps, always guided by caring medical professionals.
Step 1: Medical assessment
Before starting any treatment, a nurse or a doctor will want to understand your health and history. This is called a medical assessment. They’ll ask questions like:
- What opioids have you been using?
- How often and how much?
- Do you take any other medication?
- Do you have any other health concerns?
This step helps your care team choose the best treatment for you. You don’t have to have all of the answers, just be as honest as you can. There is no judgment here.
Step 2: Stabilization and planning
Once your care team understands your situation, they’ll help you create a treatment plan. This plan may include:
- A safe space to rest and recover
- Medication to help with symptoms
- Emotional support and check-ins
- A plan for long-term recovery
This step is about getting your body and mind ready to begin healing. It’s not about doing everything all at once. It’s about taking things one step at a time.
Step 3: Medications to help with withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal can cause uncomfortable symptoms, but the good news is that there are several types of medications available that can make a big difference. These medications aren’t about replacing one drug with another; they’re about helping your body and brain get used to life without using drugs. Some common medications used include:
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Buprenorphine
This medication is often combined with naloxone, like in Suboxone, and is a very common and effective medication. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without giving you the high that other opioids do. The naloxone part helps prevent misuse. Buprenorphine is often started when a person is already in withdrawal, to help avoid making symptoms worse. Your care team will decide the right time and dose for you. It can be taken as a pill or a film that dissolves in your cheek or under your tongue, or as a monthly shot like Sublocade.
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Methadone
This is another effective medication that has been used for many years. Methadone is a full opioid agonist, meaning it fully activates the brain’s opioid receptors, but does so in a way that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without causing a strong high when taken as prescribed. Methadone is usually given daily at special clinics.
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Clonidine
This medication isn’t an opioid. It can be used off-label, meaning that it can help with many of the uncomfortable physical symptoms of withdrawal, like sweating, muscle aches, a runny nose, and anxiety. It can also help with blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure if you take clonidine.
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Lofexidine
This is another non-opioid medication that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms. It’s often used to help manage discomfort from symptoms like cramps or muscle spasms.
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Symptomatic medications
These are medicines that help with specific withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Anti-nausea medicines
- Anti-diarrhea medicines
- Pain relievers
- Sleep aids
These medications are used under careful medical supervision to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.
Step 4: Emotional support and counseling
Getting through withdrawal is about more than just the body; it’s about the mind and heart, too. Many treatment programs often include:
- One-on-one counseling
- Group therapy
- Peer support
- Mental health care, if needed
Talking to someone who understands can help you feel less alone. You may also learn healthy coping tools to handle stress, cravings, and tough emotions. Remember, recovery isn’t just about stopping drugs; it’s about building the life you want.
Step 5: Long-term medication for opioid use disorder treatment
After the first part of withdrawal, many people choose to stay on medication to help prevent them from using again. This is called medication for opioid use disorder treatment, or MOUD. Staying on medication like buprenorphine, methadone, and extended-release naltrexone can help:
- Keep cravings low
- Help you feel more stable
- Give you time to focus on work, family, and healing
- Reduce the risk of overdose
Some people stay on MOUD for months or years. Others may stop after a while. You’ll work with your care team to decide what’s best for you.
Step 6: Recovery support and follow-up
Opioid withdrawal is just the beginning of recovery. Long-term support makes a big difference. That’s why good treatment includes follow-up care such as:
- Regular doctor visits
- Ongoing counseling
- Help with housing, work, or legal needs
- Support from recovery groups
You aren’t meant to do this journey alone. With the right team and plan, recovery is possible and very real.
Where can you get treatment for opioid withdrawal?
Treatment for opioid withdrawal can happen in different settings, depending on your needs and how severe your withdrawal is.
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Inpatient or residential treatment
This means you’ll stay at a special facility 24 hours a day. It’s often the best option for people with severe withdrawal symptoms, those who have other health concerns, or who may need extra support to stay safe and comfortable. Inpatient settings offer around-the-clock care and often integrate counseling right away.
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Outpatient treatment
This means you go to a special clinic or doctor’s office for appointments, but get to go home afterward. Outpatient treatment can be a good choice for people with milder withdrawal symptoms or for those who have a strong support system at home. It allows for more flexibility, so you can continue with work or family responsibilities while getting help.
Your doctor or treatment specialist will help you figure out which setting is best for you.
Groups can help you find hope on your recovery journey
Starting treatment for opioid withdrawal is a brave and powerful step toward a healthier life. It’s a sign of strength to reach out for help. Recovery from opioid use disorder is absolutely possible, and Groups is here to help you.
You’re not alone. Many people experience opioid withdrawal, and many more are here to help support you. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition that can be treated — it’s not a reflection of your character or values. Medications are tools, not crutches. They help your body and brain feel like your “normal” again, making recovery more accessible and sustainable. Using again isn’t a failure. It’s a common part of a long-term recovery journey. If it happens, it can be a sign to reevaluate your plan and get back on track — not to give up.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
