Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverview of Heroin WithdrawalSigns & SymptomsCoping & ReliefWarningsLong-Term Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview of Heroin Withdrawal
Signs & Symptoms
Coping & Relief
Warnings
Long-Term Treatment
What is the most important information I should know about heroin withdrawal?Pharmacological treatments can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve your chances of recovery from heroin use disorder.Relapsing after heroin withdrawal increases the risk of overdose, so it is essential to have a plan for long-term recovery.
What is the most important information I should know about heroin withdrawal?
Pharmacological treatments can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve your chances of recovery from heroin use disorder.Relapsing after heroin withdrawal increases the risk of overdose, so it is essential to have a plan for long-term recovery.
Heroin is an illicit drug that is highly addictive. When people stop using heroin, they will experiencewithdrawal symptomsif they have become physically dependent on the substance.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms you can expect during heroin withdrawal and how to cope. Also, explore long-term treatment options that can help you recover from addiction.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
If you have become addicted to heroin, you are likely to experience withdrawal when you quit. Withdrawal symptoms can also appear following heavy use.
Physically, heroin withdrawal leads to symptoms that are similar to the flu. People often experience nausea, diarrhea, runny nose, achiness, tremors, fatigue, chills, and sweats. More severe symptoms can also occur, such as difficulty breathing, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
How Long Will Heroin Withdrawal Last?The initialafter-effectsof heroin withdrawal can vary in time and intensity. Typically, withdrawal symptoms will begin 6 to 12 hours after the last dose, peaking within 1 to 3 days and gradually subsiding over 5 to 7 days. However, some people experience weeks or months of withdrawal symptoms, known aspost-acute withdrawal syndrome(PAWS).
How Long Will Heroin Withdrawal Last?
The initialafter-effectsof heroin withdrawal can vary in time and intensity. Typically, withdrawal symptoms will begin 6 to 12 hours after the last dose, peaking within 1 to 3 days and gradually subsiding over 5 to 7 days. However, some people experience weeks or months of withdrawal symptoms, known aspost-acute withdrawal syndrome(PAWS).
What to Know About Heroin Use
Signs & Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Everyone’s experience of heroin withdrawal is different, but here are some of the most common symptoms.
Heroin Cravings
Most people who are withdrawing from heroin experience a strong desire to take more heroin.This is known as experiencing cravings and is common among people withdrawing from many addictive substances.
How to Cope With Withdrawal Cravings
Mood Changes
Feeling depressed, anxious, or irritable, also known as having a dysphoric mood, is a normal part of heroin withdrawal.Even without a traumatic past, these mood changes would be expected, but many people who use heroin experience long-suppressed feelings related topast traumaor abuse when they stop using the drug. This is one of the reasons it is important to have emotional support while you are going through withdrawal.
Although these feelings are often intense during heroin withdrawal, they tend to become less intense once the withdrawal stage is over. If you are withdrawing in a treatment facility, make the most of the support offered, and try and have support arranged in the community when your stay is over.
If the feelings of depression or distress do not pass, you should see your doctor for appropriate treatment.
Restlessness and Sleep Problems
People going through heroin withdrawal often experience restlessness, which, coupled with anxiety and insomnia, can make you feel agitated. Heroin withdrawal often causes sleep problems, particularly insomnia (having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep).
Physical Symptoms
Coping With Withdrawal-Induced Nausea
Coping & Relief for Heroin Withdrawal
While heroin withdrawal can be intense and uncomfortable, the worst of the symptoms usually pass within a week. During this time, there are some things that you can do to help yourself feel more comfortable.
Ask for Help
Whether you are getting support at home from someone you trust or going to a treatment facility, you should have the support you can rely on as you go through withdrawal. Having someone with you can ensure that you are safe and have someone to talk to about what you are experiencing.
Stay Hydrated
Stay Busy
Make sure that you have a way to stay occupied during your withdrawal. Watching television or movies is a good choice, especially since you probably won’t be feeling well physically for at least a few days. If you have a friend there to help, you can even plan brief activities outside of the house as you start to feel a little better.
Manage Symptoms With OTC Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers and antidiarrheals can help keep your fever, pain, and diarrhea in check. Always be sure to only take the indicated dosages.
Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been reported to sometimes benefit people who arewithdrawing from methadone.However,more research is needed to conclusively recommend it as a treatment for heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Warnings About Heroin Withdrawal
While many people get adequate medical help during heroin withdrawal, some do not. However, medications can be prescribed to help reduce the discomfort of heroin withdrawal symptoms. See a physician as soon as possible before or after beginning the withdrawal process.
Medications that may be prescribed to help with heroin withdrawal include:
It is also important to realize that anyone who has gone through heroin withdrawal is at an increased risk of overdose due to opiate tolerance. Once a person has developed a tolerance to a drug, it takes a larger dose to experience the same effects. If the same dose they took before they went through withdrawal is taken again after or during, there is a strong chance of an accidental overdose.
If heroin withdrawal symptoms become severe, hospitalization may be required. Doctors can treat these symptoms with prescription medications such as clonidine,which can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Such treatments can include behavioral therapies and pharmacological treatments. Treatment for heroin use is often most effective when it involves a combination of behavioral approaches with medication.
Medications
Pharmacological treatment can be helpful in recovery from heroin addiction. Medications that may be used include the following:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone have been shown to increase the effectiveness of treatment programs in the long term.
Specific brand name medications that may be prescribed for heroin treatment include Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Vivitrol (naltrexone), Revia (naltrexone) and Methadose (methadone).
Therapy
Behavioral approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management are two types of therapy that are often used to treat heroin addiction.
Press Play for Advice On Overcoming Addiction
Resources
In addition to friends and medical professionals, there are also online resources that can help you during heroin withdrawal. Support groups such asNarcotics Anonymousoffer information and resources that can help you during your recovery. Joining a support group or12-step recovery programmay help you get the encouragement and support you need to cope with withdrawal and achieve long-term recovery from heroin addiction.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bluthenthal RN, Simpson K, Ceasar RC, Zhao J, Wenger L, Kral AH.Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020;211:107932. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932Bell J.Pharmacological maintenance treatments of opiate addiction.Br J Clin Pharmacol.2014;77(2):253-63. doi:10.1111/bcp.12051Eacret D, Veasey SC, Blendy JA.Bidirectional relationship between opioids and disrupted sleep: Putative mechanisms.Mol Pharmacol. 2020;98(4):445-453. doi:10.1124/mol.119.119107World Health Organization.Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.Zhang Y, Xu W, Song X-ge, Zhang Y, Chen L.Acupuncture with Methadone for heroin withdrawal syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2016;14(1):55-63. doi:10.1007/s11726-016-0901-y.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.Lin SK, Pan CH, Chen CH.A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dextromethorphan combined with clonidine in the treatment of heroin withdrawal.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2014;34(4):508-12. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000144Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Methadone.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Buprenorphine.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Naltrexone.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the treatments for heroin use disorder?Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bluthenthal RN, Simpson K, Ceasar RC, Zhao J, Wenger L, Kral AH.Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020;211:107932. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932Bell J.Pharmacological maintenance treatments of opiate addiction.Br J Clin Pharmacol.2014;77(2):253-63. doi:10.1111/bcp.12051Eacret D, Veasey SC, Blendy JA.Bidirectional relationship between opioids and disrupted sleep: Putative mechanisms.Mol Pharmacol. 2020;98(4):445-453. doi:10.1124/mol.119.119107World Health Organization.Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.Zhang Y, Xu W, Song X-ge, Zhang Y, Chen L.Acupuncture with Methadone for heroin withdrawal syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2016;14(1):55-63. doi:10.1007/s11726-016-0901-y.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.Lin SK, Pan CH, Chen CH.A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dextromethorphan combined with clonidine in the treatment of heroin withdrawal.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2014;34(4):508-12. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000144Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Methadone.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Buprenorphine.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Naltrexone.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the treatments for heroin use disorder?Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bluthenthal RN, Simpson K, Ceasar RC, Zhao J, Wenger L, Kral AH.Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020;211:107932. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932Bell J.Pharmacological maintenance treatments of opiate addiction.Br J Clin Pharmacol.2014;77(2):253-63. doi:10.1111/bcp.12051Eacret D, Veasey SC, Blendy JA.Bidirectional relationship between opioids and disrupted sleep: Putative mechanisms.Mol Pharmacol. 2020;98(4):445-453. doi:10.1124/mol.119.119107World Health Organization.Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.Zhang Y, Xu W, Song X-ge, Zhang Y, Chen L.Acupuncture with Methadone for heroin withdrawal syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2016;14(1):55-63. doi:10.1007/s11726-016-0901-y.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.Lin SK, Pan CH, Chen CH.A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dextromethorphan combined with clonidine in the treatment of heroin withdrawal.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2014;34(4):508-12. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000144Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Methadone.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Buprenorphine.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Naltrexone.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the treatments for heroin use disorder?Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults.
Bluthenthal RN, Simpson K, Ceasar RC, Zhao J, Wenger L, Kral AH.Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2020;211:107932. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932
Bell J.Pharmacological maintenance treatments of opiate addiction.Br J Clin Pharmacol.2014;77(2):253-63. doi:10.1111/bcp.12051
Eacret D, Veasey SC, Blendy JA.Bidirectional relationship between opioids and disrupted sleep: Putative mechanisms.Mol Pharmacol. 2020;98(4):445-453. doi:10.1124/mol.119.119107
World Health Organization.Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings.
Zhang Y, Xu W, Song X-ge, Zhang Y, Chen L.Acupuncture with Methadone for heroin withdrawal syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. 2016;14(1):55-63. doi:10.1007/s11726-016-0901-y.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.
Lin SK, Pan CH, Chen CH.A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dextromethorphan combined with clonidine in the treatment of heroin withdrawal.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2014;34(4):508-12. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000144
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Methadone.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Buprenorphine.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Naltrexone.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the treatments for heroin use disorder?
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults.
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
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