What are withdrawal symptoms?

Withdrawal symptoms are similar to flu symptoms and usually begin somewhere between 6 to 36 hours after your last dose. If you stop using opioids suddenly, withdrawal is most severe between 24 and 72 hours after the last dose. It will take 3 to 7 days for the withdrawal symptoms to decrease.

If you decrease your dose slowly (over several weeks or months), withdrawal symptoms are usually less severe, compared to stopping suddenly. 

Opioid withdrawal produces both physical and mental side effects and has two phases, known as acute and post-acute withdrawal.

During the early or acute phase, you might experience muscle aches, watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, insomnia, agitation, anxiety, and sweating.

During the late or post-acute phase, you might have dilated pupils and experience nausea and vomiting, chills, goosebumps, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.