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How long does opioid withdrawal last?

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 2, 2022.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can occur when you try to stop or reduce your dependence on an opioid drug. Opioid drugs include prescription medications, such as the painkiller morphine, and illicit or illegal drugs such as heroin. Opioid use disorder is a medical condition that occurs when a person is unable to stop themselves from using an opioid drug.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and can make you feel like you have a bad flu, but they are not usually life threatening.

Withdrawal symptoms will only occur if you are dependent or addicted to the drug you are trying to reduce or stop using. Anyone taking an opioid may become addicted to it, however, it usually takes about 2 weeks to become physically dependent on an opioid drug. Regular use of an opioid is also more likely to lead to a physical dependence.

How long opioid withdrawal lasts depends on the opioid you have been taking and whether it is a short-acting or long acting opioid.

Short-acting opioids work quickly and for a shorter period of time, while longer-acting opioids may take longer to work and work for a longer period of time.

  • If you have been using a short-acting opioid, acute opioid withdrawal lasts 4 to 10 days, with withdrawal symptoms starting 8 to 24 hours after last use.

  • If you have been using a long-acting opioid, acute opioid withdrawal lasts 10 to 20 days, with withdrawal symptoms starting 12 to 48 hours after last use.

After the initial period of opioid withdrawal, you may have strong cravings for opioids and have a diminished sense of well-being for up to 6 months.

Short- and long-acting opioid drugs
Short-acting opioids Long-acting opioids
  • Heroin
  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora)
  • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
  • Morphine
  • Oxycodone (Oxaydo, Roxybond, Roxicodone)
  • Oxymorphone
  • Tapentadol (Nucynta)
  • Tramadol (Ultram, Qdolo)
  • Methadone
  • Controlled-release and extended-release formulations of:
    • Fentanyl
    • Morphine (MS Contin)
    • Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Xtampza ER)
    • Oxymorphone
    • Hydromorphone
    • Tramadol (Conzip, Ultram ER)

Related Questions

What are the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal?

Common symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:

  • Opioid craving
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia

Other symptoms include stomach cramps, muscle spasms and tension, feeling cold, aches and pains, yawning, watery eyes and nose, hot and cold flushes and a pounding heart.

Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the drug you have been taking and how dependent you are on it. Medications and supportive care can help reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Tapering off opioids, which involves gradually reducing the dose of opioid you take, can also help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

References
  • Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 4, Withdrawal Management. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/.
  • Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). Short-acting opioids - To relieve pain. December 2018. [Accessed September 2, 2022]. Available from: https://www.chumontreal.qc.ca/sites/default/files/2019-05/673-1-Short-acting-opioids-to-relieve-pain.pdf.
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine. Opioid Addiction - The Science of Addiction. [Accessed September 2, 2022]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/opioids/science-of-addiction.html.

 

Read next

Oxycodone (also known as Oxy IR) and Oxycontin both contain oxycodone, but the main difference is that Oxycontin is the brand name of a long-acting form of oxycodone. Oxycontin releases oxycodone slowly and continuously over 12 hours and only needs to be given twice a day. Oxycodone is shorter-acting, with an average half-life of 3.2 hours, which means that half the dose of oxycodone is eliminated in 3.2 hours, which is why it is usually given four to six times a day to provide all-day pain relief. Oxycodone is usually given for acute pain, such as that following surgery or trauma, whereas Oxycontin may be given for chronic or long-term pain, such as that caused by cancer. Oxycontin should only be considered in those with chronic severe pain that have already found a trial of oxycodone to be beneficial. Continue reading

Withdrawal from oxycodone is likely to happen to people who have taken oxycodone consistently or misused oxycodone. Common symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Anxiety
  • Cravings for oxycodone – these are one of the main symptoms that drive relapse
  • Diarrhea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sleep disturbances/Insomnia
  • Stomach cramps
  • Sweating.
Continue reading

If you are experiencing a medical emergency due to opioid withdrawal, you should call 911 right away. You may need to be transported to a hospital for treatment. If appropriate, emergency methadone or other treatment can be administered as determined by a healthcare provider for acute withdrawal. Continue reading

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