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Opioid Withdrawal: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

Opioids are strong pain medicines. Examples include hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Heroin is an example of an illegal opioid.

Your body gets used to this type of drug if you take it all the time. This is called being dependent on the drug. And when you stop taking it, you go through withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, sweating, chills, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and muscle aches. Withdrawal can last up to several weeks, depending on which drug you took and how long you took it. You may feel very ill, but you are probably not in medical danger.

Withdrawal isn't easy, but there are things you can do to help you cope with the symptoms. You will feel a little bit better each day as your body adjusts and heals itself.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Your doctor may give you medicine to help you feel better. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • To help get through withdrawal, you can also:
    • Get plenty of rest.
    • Drink plenty of fluids.
    • Stay active, but don't tire yourself.
    • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs.
  • Do not take medicines that make you tired, like sleeping pills or muscle relaxers.
  • Talk to your doctor about drug treatment programs to help you stay drug-free.
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about having a take-home naloxone kit on hand.

Remember after you stop taking an opioid, even for a short time, your body gets used to not having this type of drug. If you return to taking the same amount of an opioid as you did before you stopped, you could be at a higher risk for overdose.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You feel you cannot stop from hurting yourself or someone else.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away.

  • Call or text Canada's suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
  • Call Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (4 p.m. to midnight ET).
  • Kids or teens can call Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
  • Go to the Talk Suicide Canada website at https://talksuicide.ca or the Kids Help Phone website at https://kidshelpphone.ca for more information.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have new or worse withdrawal symptoms that you can't manage at home, such as:
    • Stomach cramps.
    • Vomiting.
    • Diarrhea.
    • Muscle aches.
    • Sweating.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

  • You do not get better as expected.

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.