Dr. Mitchell Naficy
Board Certified Family Physician-Treating and working with Substance Abuse, Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation since 2011 -In private solo practice since 2003-Licensed in CA since 1991-Licensed in TX since 2025-Licensed in MT since 2025
Key Takeaways
- Opioid withdrawal may begin within hours after stopping a short acting opioid, while longer acting opioids can cause symptoms later and for a longer period.
- Opioid detox provides medical monitoring, symptom support, and a structured setting that can make withdrawal easier to manage.
- Detox is only the first part of treatment, and continued residential care can address cravings, triggers, mental health, relationships, and healthier coping skills.
Stopping opioids after regular use can cause uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms. The opioid withdrawal timeline depends on the opioid used, how long it was taken, frequency of use, health, and whether other substances are involved. Short acting opioids may cause symptoms within hours, while longer acting opioids can take longer to leave the body. Strong cravings and physical discomfort can make stopping difficult without support. San Diego Wellness Center provides medically supervised opioid detox and residential treatment in San Diego County for clients who need structured care during withdrawal and recovery.
Addiction Treatment Statistics
Opioid use disorder continues to affect millions of people in the United States. Treatment remains important because opioid dependence can be difficult to manage alone.
Opioid Use in the United States
| Statistic | 2025 Estimate |
| People with opioid use disorder | About 4 million |
| People who misused opioids | About 7.1 million |
| People who misused prescription opioids | About 6.9 million |
These numbers show why access to medical and behavioral health care remains important for people struggling with opioid use.
What Happens to Your Body During Opioid Withdrawal?
Opioid withdrawal happens when the body has become used to regular opioid use and the drug is stopped or reduced. As opioid levels drop, symptoms can begin.
Early symptoms may include anxiety, sweating, yawning, runny nose, watery eyes, body aches, restlessness, and trouble sleeping. Later symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, stomach cramps, muscle pain, and strong cravings. San Diego Wellness Center also notes that mood changes, irritability, fear, worry, guilt, or shame can occur during withdrawal.
Cravings can make stopping difficult because using opioids again may quickly relieve withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance can also decrease after stopping, which can increase overdose risk if someone returns to the amount they previously used.
At San Diego Wellness Center, the medical team monitors both physical and emotional symptoms during opioid detox and can help clients move into continued addiction treatment once they are stable.
When Do Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Usually Begin?
The start of opioid withdrawal depends on the type of opioid. Short acting opioids leave the body faster, so symptoms usually begin sooner. Long acting opioids may take longer.
Symptoms may begin:
- Short acting opioids: About 6 to 12 hours after the last use
- Long acting opioids: About 24 to 36 hours after the last use
The exact timing can also depend on how often opioids were used, the amount taken, overall health, metabolism, and other substances. Because of these factors, the opioid withdrawal timeline can be different for everyone.
What Is the Opioid Withdrawal Timeline Day by Day?
The opioid withdrawal timeline can vary from one person to another, but symptoms often follow a general pattern.
General Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
| Time | What You May Experience |
| First 24 hours | Anxiety, sweating, yawning, runny nose, body aches, restlessness, trouble sleeping, and cravings may begin |
| Days 1 to 3 | Symptoms from short acting opioids may become strongest, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, pain, and intense cravings |
| Days 3 to 5 | Short acting opioid symptoms may begin improving, while withdrawal from longer acting opioids may still be strong |
| Days 5 to 10 | Many physical symptoms continue improving |
| After 10 days | Sleep problems, fatigue, low mood, irritability, or cravings may continue for some people |
Short acting opioid withdrawal symptoms are often strongest during days 1 through 3, while withdrawal from long acting opioids may peak later.
Even after physical symptoms improve, sleep problems, low energy, mood changes, irritability, and cravings may continue for several weeks.
What Are the Most Common Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?
Common symptoms may include:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Heavy sweating
- Frequent yawning
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Muscle aches
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Strong cravings
Opioid withdrawal can also affect emotions, causing anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and trouble sleeping.
Withdrawal is usually not life threatening by itself, but complications can happen. Vomiting and diarrhea may cause dehydration, while existing health conditions can make symptoms harder to manage.
Using or withdrawing from other substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, can create additional risks. A medical assessment before opioid detox can help determine the safest level of care.
How Long Does Opioid Withdrawal Usually Last?
The strongest opioid withdrawal symptoms often last several days. Short acting opioid withdrawal may improve within about a week, while long acting opioids can cause symptoms for a longer period.
Acute withdrawal commonly lasts about 5 to 10 days, but some symptoms may continue for several weeks. These can include:
- Poor sleep
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Irritability
- Cravings
Continued treatment can help with these lingering symptoms. Residential care can also address stress, trauma, mental health, chronic pain, and other concerns connected to opioid use.
When Should You Consider Medical Detox for Opioid Withdrawal?
An opioid detox program may help if withdrawal is difficult to manage or you have tried to stop but returned to opioid use.
Professional support may be helpful if you experience:
- Strong cravings
- Repeated withdrawal symptoms
- Difficulty stopping
- Increased tolerance
- Frequent return to opioid use
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Use of multiple substances
- Mental health concerns
At San Diego Wellness Center, medical detox includes monitoring, symptom management, and medical support while the body adjusts. Once clients are stable, they can continue into residential treatment when appropriate.
Detox is the first step. Continued treatment can help address cravings, triggers, mental health, and other concerns connected to opioid use.
What Treatment Helps With Opioid Withdrawal and Addiction?
Treatment for opioid withdrawal may include medical care, medications, therapy, residential treatment, and aftercare planning. The right approach depends on the client’s opioid use, withdrawal symptoms, and overall health.
Medications may help manage withdrawal symptoms or opioid use disorder. Options can include buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone, depending on the client’s needs. Other medications may help with nausea, anxiety, diarrhea, or body aches. Medication decisions should always be made by a qualified medical professional.
After opioid detox, residential treatment can help clients address cravings, triggers, stress, mental health, and relationships. San Diego Wellness Center also provides aftercare planning and works with local PHP and IOP partners when continued treatment is appropriate.
Why Do People Choose San Diego Wellness Center for Opioid Withdrawal Treatment?
People choose San Diego Wellness Center for medically supervised opioid detox and residential treatment in a licensed and accredited San Diego County facility. Treatment can address withdrawal symptoms, cravings, triggers, physical health, and mental health.
Once clients are stable after detox, residential treatment provides continued support. Dual diagnosis care is also available for clients dealing with opioid addiction alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health concerns.
Clients stay in a comfortable setting with chef prepared meals, a swimming pool, gym memberships, entertainment areas, and guided hiking activities. Family support and aftercare planning can also help prepare clients for life after treatment.
San Diego Wellness Center partners with local PHP and IOP facilities when continued care is appropriate. The goal is to help clients safely manage opioid withdrawal while building healthier habits and coping skills for continued recovery.
Get Opioid Withdrawal Treatment at San Diego Wellness Center
Opioid withdrawal can be physically and emotionally difficult, but medical support can make the process easier to manage. The timeline varies based on the opioid, amount used, length of use, and your health. Opioid detox can provide medical monitoring while residential care can address cravings, triggers, mental health, relationships, and healthier routines. San Diego Wellness Center provides medical detox, residential treatment, dual diagnosis care, and aftercare planning in a supportive San Diego County setting. Our team can help determine what level of care fits your needs and what the next steps may look like. Contact San Diego Wellness Center to speak with our team about opioid withdrawal treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does opioid withdrawal usually last?
Acute opioid withdrawal commonly lasts several days to about 10 days, depending on the opioid and the person’s use pattern. Sleep problems, mood changes, fatigue, and cravings may continue longer.
What day is opioid withdrawal usually the worst?
Withdrawal from short acting opioids often becomes strongest during the first few days. San Diego Wellness Center’s existing treatment material describes peak symptoms around days 1 through 3 for short acting opioids and later for longer acting drugs.
Can opioid withdrawal be dangerous?
Opioid withdrawal is usually not life threatening by itself, but dehydration, other health problems, strong cravings, and return to opioid use can create serious risks. Several substance use can also change the medical risk.
Can I detox from opioids at home?
Some people try to manage withdrawal at home, but intense symptoms and cravings can make stopping difficult. Opioid detox provides medical monitoring and support while the body adjusts.
Does San Diego Wellness Center treat prescription opioid withdrawal?
Yes. San Diego Wellness Center’s existing program material describes medically supervised withdrawal support and tapering plans for some people who have taken prescription opioids, depending on their medication, dose, health, and clinical needs.