- Last Modified: September 9, 2026
Opioid withdrawal produces muscle aches, runny nose and watery eyes, sweating, yawning, anxiety and drug cravings, and medical supervision keeps the process safe, because withdrawal symptoms reach a severity that at-home tapering cannot manage.
Opioid addiction reaches millions of people worldwide. Opioids cover prescription painkillers including oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl, alongside illegal drugs such as heroin. Opioid addiction produces physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms and fatal overdose.
Opioids carry high addictive potential because of the pleasurable effects they produce, and prolonged use produces physical dependence, tolerance and addiction. Alongside pain relief, opioids produce drowsiness, constipation and respiratory depression. Use opioids only as prescribed and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Prolonged opioid use produces dependence even when properly prescribed, which means withdrawal symptoms follow stopping.
What Causes Opioid Withdrawal?
Opioid withdrawal begins when a body that has adjusted to the presence of an opioid loses it, and the body reacts with symptoms while it regains balance. A person dependent on opioids experiences withdrawal symptoms on reducing or suddenly stopping opioids. That pattern drives a loop: the person cuts back, withdrawal symptoms follow, and the person returns to the drug to relieve them.
Withdrawal from opioids is challenging and dangerous, so treating opioid addiction starts with professional help. Treatment combines medications, counseling and support to address the physical and psychological sides of addiction. Your healthcare provider builds a personalized treatment plan around your goals.
There are 3 settings where withdrawal takes place:
- At-home withdrawal: a slow, carefully managed process supported by medicines and a strong support system. Riverside Recovery of Tampa advises against this option, because it is dangerous.
- Dedicated detox facilities: specialist facilities that provide a structured environment for withdrawal.
- Hospital setting: severe cases where symptoms need close monitoring.
What Are The Symptoms Of Opioid Withdrawal?
Opioid withdrawal produces both physical symptoms, including muscle aches and sweating, and psychological symptoms, including anxiety and drug cravings. Withdrawal is uncomfortable and difficult for the person going through it, and it is not usually life-threatening.
There are 6 common symptoms of opioid withdrawal:
- muscle aches
- runny nose and watery eyes
- sweating
- yawning
- anxiety
- drug cravings
Other physical symptoms include increased heart rate, high blood pressure and abdominal cramps.
How Often Is Monitoring Needed?
World Health Organization withdrawal management guidelines direct clinicians to monitor patients 3 to 4 times daily for symptoms and complications.
What Is Opiate Use Disorder (OUD)?
Opiate use disorder is a medical condition marked by recurrent opioid use that continues despite harmful consequences. Opiate Use Disorder (OUD), also called Opioid Use Disorder, produces physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms on stopping.
OUD is a chronic disease that changes brain chemistry and behavior, producing physical dependence and tolerance. Opioid use disorder develops from prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, or from illegal drugs such as heroin.
People with opioid use disorder continue using opioids even when the use damages personal relationships, work, school and other responsibilities.
Withdrawal symptoms follow attempts to stop. Physical symptoms include muscle aches, runny nose and high blood pressure, and psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression and drug cravings. Prolonged opioid use raises tolerance, which means the person needs more of the substance to reach the same effect. The body then depends on the substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Opioid use disorder is treatable, and recovery follows the right support and treatment.
How Does Opioid Dependence Differ From Opioid Addiction?
Opioid dependence is the physical change a body undergoes with regular opioid use, and addiction is a disorder of compulsive drug-seeking that continues despite negative consequences. The two terms are used interchangeably, and the distinction between them matters.
Dependence occurs even when the drugs are taken as prescribed. Addiction covers physical, psychological and social factors, and compulsive drug-seeking behavior marks it. A medical health professional identifies and treats both opioid dependence and addiction.
How Is Opioid Addiction Treated?
Opioid addiction treatment combines medication, therapy and support, and stopping opioids without medical supervision is hazardous. You and your provider identify the plan that fits your care and treatment goals.
What Happens During Opioid Detox?
Opioid detox removes opioids from the body under medical supervision, and it is the first step in treating opioid addiction. Withdrawal symptoms reach a severity that makes unsupervised detox dangerous.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) manages and reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Medication-assisted treatment combines behavioral therapy and medication to treat opioid addiction.
What Are the Opioid Treatment Options?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine directs clinicians to assess psychosocial needs and to offer psychosocial treatment alongside medication for opioid use disorder. The ASAM National Practice Guideline recommends offering that treatment in collaboration with qualified behavioral healthcare providers.
A patient’s decision to decline psychosocial treatment, or the unavailability of that treatment, does not delay medications for OUD. Clinicians provide naloxone and training in its use for overdose reversal to patients with OUD and to their household members. OUD co-exists with other substance use disorders, and patients actively using substances during OUD treatment need increased support.
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Which Medications Treat Opioid Use Disorder?
Methadone, buprenorphine and clonidine manage opioid withdrawal symptoms, and naltrexone prevents relapse once opioids have cleared the body. Medications carry a crucial role in OUD treatment, in managing withdrawal symptoms and in supporting recovery.
There are 3 medications in common use:
- Methadone: relieves withdrawal symptoms and serves both detoxification and long-term maintenance of opioid dependence. Under medical supervision the dose reduces gradually over time to minimize withdrawal symptoms, and some people remain on methadone for an extended period to support recovery.
- Buprenorphine: available as Subutex, relieves withdrawal symptoms and shortens the duration of detox. Buprenorphine also serves long-term maintenance, and it is combined with naloxone (Bunavail, Suboxone, Zubsolv) to prevent dependence and misuse.
- Clonidine: relieves anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose and cramping. Clonidine does not reduce cravings.
There are 3 further medications for specific symptoms:
- Naltrexone: prevents relapse, in pill form or as an injection. Taking naltrexone while opioids remain in the system induces sudden and severe withdrawal.
- sleep aids
- medications for vomiting and diarrhea management
What Are the Long-Term Treatment Options?
There are 4 long-term treatment options:
- Self-help groups: Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery provide peer support and guidance.
- Outpatient counseling: regular therapy sessions and support.
- Intensive outpatient treatment: day hospitalization programs for more intensive support.
- Inpatient treatment: residence in a treatment facility for a period, for comprehensive care.
Underlying mental health conditions such as depression raise the risk of relapse, so treatment addresses them alongside addiction, which improves the chances of long-term recovery. Antidepressant medications are prescribed where needed.
What Are the Signs of Opioid Use Disorder?
Opioid use disorder shows as using more opioids than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, substantial time spent obtaining opioids, and neglected responsibilities. The DSM-5-TR defines OUD as a “problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress”. Recognizing the signs opens the opportunity for clinical intervention, which raises the likelihood of effective treatment.
There are 4 signs of OUD:
- using more opioids or opioid medications than intended
- failing to cut down or quit
- spending substantial time obtaining opioids
- neglecting important responsibilities
Where Can You Get Support for Opioid Use Disorder?
Riverside Recovery of Tampa treats opioid use disorder with behavioral therapies, medication and ongoing support. Opioid addiction is a chronic medical condition that requires proper medical care and treatment.
Contact Riverside Recovery of Tampa to learn more about our evidence-based treatment programs. Detoxification and treatment for opiate use disorder help people overcome addiction and lead healthy lives. Our team provides individualized care toward lasting recovery.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Opioid Use Disorder: Preventing and Treating: https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/healthcare-professionals/prescribing/opioid-use-disorder.html
- Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 4, Withdrawal Management: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: Life-Saving Science. March 30, 2017: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/naloxone-opioid-overdose-life-saving-science
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/opioid_overdose_prevention_toolkit_and_opioid_resources_flyer.pdf
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Opiate and Opioid Withdrawal: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm
- Kampman K, Jarvis M. American Society of Addiction Medicine National Practice Guideline for the Use of Medications in the Treatment of Addiction Involving Opioid Use. J Addict Med. 2015;9(5):358-367. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000166