User:Mr. Ibrahem/Opioid withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal is a set of symptoms arising from the sudden reduction of opioids or an opioid antagonist after a period of opioid use. Symptoms may include a runny nose, large pupils, goose bumps, muscle pains, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, fast heart rate, and yawning. Symptoms may last a few days. While rarely life threatening, complications may include dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities.

All opioids can be followed by withdrawal, regardless of if they were used recreational or by prescription. Onset may occur as early as 6 hours following the use of short acting opioids like heroin or as late as 4 days following the use of long acting agents like methadone. Severity of withdrawal is often based on a Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS).

Opioid withdrawal can be treated with opioid replacement therapy (buprenorphine or methadone). Symptoms may be improved with clonidine or lofexidine. Without treatment the worst of the symptoms last about a week, though minor symptoms may remain for longer.

About 16 million people use opioids illegally globally. In those who have used heroin in the prior year, withdrawal had occurred in about 60% of them. Many people who continue opioid use, do so in an effort to prevent withdrawal. Opioid withdrawal may have been described as early as the 5th century BC by Hippocrates. Descriptions in the medical literature date to at least 1701.