Opiate detox and withdrawal happens when you suddenly stop, or dramatically reduce, the amount of opiates after heavy and extended use (usually a month or more).

When the drugs are stopped, your body needs time to recoup, and withdrawal symptoms occur.

Withdrawal from opiates can occur whenever any serious use is discontinued or reduced. Oiate detox is designed to medically manage opiate withdrawal. Opiates are a class of drugs that include include heroin, codeine, morphine, Oxycontin, oxycodone, Dilaudid, methadone, and several others.

Over 8% of the general population is believed to abuse opiates over the course of their lifetimes, including using illegal drugs like heroin and prescribed pain pills and medications such as Oxycontin.

Opiods can cause physical chemical dependence. This means that someone relies on the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes it is the fear of and withdrawal that is a major contributor to prolonged use. Eventually, larger amounts of the drug become necessary to produce the same effect. The length of time it can take to become physically dependent can vary with each person.

Withdrawal from opioids can be uncomfortable and painful, but not life-threatening. That does not mean that there are not side effects. Opiate detox withdrawal can have some serious side effects. People using opiates often experience drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, muscle soreness, constipation, and dry mouth. With more frequent use, opiate treatment can lead to tolerance, where the body adapts to large opioid levels. This phenomenon is common to most addictive substances, such as heroine or caffeine. Tolerance extends to the physiological effects of opioids, so that drug users become used to headaches, nausea, and drowsiness.

Addicts going through opiate detox and withdrawing from opiates should be assessed for depression and other mental illnesses. Appropriate treatment of such disorders can reduce the risk of relapse. Antidepressant medications should NOT be withheld under the assumption that the depression is only related to withdrawal, and not a pre-existing condition.