Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

August 13th, 2025

Opioid Detox and Withdrawal | Timeline and Treatment

Prescription opioids are meant to relieve pain but they can also quietly take control. What starts as something helpful can become something your body depends on just to feel okay. When that happens, detox becomes the necessary step needed toward getting your life back.

At Primrose Lodge, we offer a safe and structured setting for opioid detox. Whether you’ve been taking them for a short time or many years, we’ll help you through the early stages of withdrawal and into the next phase of recovery.

What opioid detox involves?

Opioids work by attaching to receptors in the brain and altering how you perceive pain. But over time, the brain starts to expect those chemicals. When they’re suddenly removed, withdrawal begins.

You might experience physical symptoms like sweating, chills or nausea. You might feel emotionally drained, anxious or on edge. Some people get through the early stages quickly, others need a slower taper. That’s why we tailor your detox to the type of opioid you’ve been taking, how long it’s been used and how your body reacts.

We don’t rush things. We keep the process steady and supportive. With the right approach, your body can gradually adjust and your mind can start to clear.

What is tapering?

Tapering means gradually reducing your dose instead of stopping all at once. It’s one of the most effective and safest ways to detox from opioids, especially if you’ve been using long term or at high doses.

At Primrose Lodge, we use tapering to ease you through withdrawal without shocking your system. By slowly decreasing the drug in your system, we can help reduce symptoms and give you space to regain physical and emotional balance. This method also allows us to check in frequently and adjust your plan based on how you’re responding.

Types of opioid detox

Each opioid affects the body in slightly different ways, which is why detox needs to be flexible and personal. Below are some of the detox types we support, each one built around the specific challenges the drug presents.

Buprenorphine detox

Although used as a treatment for opioid addiction, buprenorphine itself can become habit-forming. Stopping it suddenly can cause strong cravings and emotional imbalance. We help you reduce your dose gradually, with the right support in place to prevent those early withdrawal symptoms from turning into relapse.

Codeine detox

Codeine is often taken for mild to moderate pain but long-term use can quickly lead to dependency. Withdrawal may include irritability, headaches and trouble sleeping. We’ll help you stabilise and get through the adjustment period without feeling overwhelmed or out of control.

Dihydrocodeine detox

Similar to codeine but slightly stronger, dihydrocodeine detox can cause discomfort in both body and mind. Some people feel flat or restless, others feel intense cravings. We help ease this process with calm surroundings and a clear plan that keeps you steady as your body rebalances.

Fentanyl detox

Fentanyl is highly potent and detox can feel harsh, especially if the drug was used frequently or in high doses. Withdrawal may begin quickly and come with symptoms like sweating, chills or agitation. We monitor you closely during this process, providing rest, structure and support that helps ease the shock to your system.

Methadone detox

Methadone stays in the body for a long time, which means symptoms can take longer to appear and may last longer too. It’s a slow and steady detox and we match that pace by creating a tapering plan that helps you avoid the crash that often comes with stopping suddenly.

Morphine detox

Morphine detox can bring on intense physical symptoms, including muscle aches, sweating or stomach upset. We manage this by creating space for your body to heal without added pressure. You’ll have regular support and access to therapies that help regulate your mood and sleep patterns.

Oxycodone detox

Oxycodone withdrawal often causes mood changes, body tension and low energy. It can feel like a fog that’s hard to shake off. We help you move through that fog with gentle care and a setting that keeps you focused, grounded and less reactive to the emotional shifts.

Tramadol detox

Tramadol affects both opioid and serotonin systems, so detox can feel layered and unpredictable. You might feel down, restless or disoriented. We offer consistent emotional and physical support to help you ride through this phase with more clarity and confidence.

Vicodin detox

Vicodin combines hydrocodone and paracetamol, so detox might affect both your body and mind. Some people experience strong cravings or pain sensitivity during this time. We respond to those needs early, with comfort measures that prevent symptoms from taking over.

The opioid withdrawal timeline

No two detox experiences look the same. Your timeline will depend on the type of opioid, how it was taken and how your body responds. That said, most people move through three broad stages of withdrawal.

Early withdrawal (6 to 24 hours after last dose)

This is when symptoms begin. You might feel anxious, edgy or unsettled. Some people report chills, nausea or a general sense that something’s not right. Short-acting opioids like heroin or codeine can trigger symptoms within six hours, while longer-acting drugs like methadone or fentanyl may take longer to show.

How Primrose Lodge supports you

We’ll start monitoring your symptoms right away. Comfort measures, rest and nutritional support are introduced early and if tapering is needed, we begin gently with regular check-ins

Peak withdrawal (2 to 5 days)

Symptoms usually reach their peak here. You may feel body aches, cold sweats, fatigue, sleep disruption and strong emotional discomfort. This stage often feels like a flu that won’t lift and for some, cravings become hard to ignore.

How Primrose Lodge supports you

You’ll have access to constant care, warm meals and quiet surroundings. Our team will help you manage the intense parts with grounding techniques, light activities and therapeutic options that don’t overstimulate your system.

Stabilisation (after day 5)

Physical symptoms usually begin to ease but energy may be low and sleep may still be disturbed. Some people feel emotionally flat or find their cravings come in waves. This period can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

How Primrose Lodge supports you

We shift the focus to longer-term recovery. This includes gentle entry into one-to-one counselling, group support and holistic therapies like yoga or mindfulness. The aim is to help you find rhythm again, not just physically but emotionally too.

What detox feels like at Primrose Lodge

You’re not expected to be strong every minute. You’re not alone in the hard parts. At Primrose Lodge, we make space for rest, reflection and support. From your first day with us, we build a detox plan that reflects who you are and what you’ve been through.

You’ll have:

A private, quiet space where you can rest without pressure
A team that checks in regularly, not forcefully
A clear plan that shifts with your needs
Support that includes body and mind, not just symptoms

This is the start of something different. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to begin.

We’re ready whenever you are.

Frequently asked questions

Is opioid detox dangerous?

Opioid detox is usually not life-threatening, but it can be extremely uncomfortable and risky without medical supervision. Dehydration, depression, and relapse are major concerns. Monitored detox provides medical support, emotional care, and medication to reduce symptoms safely.

Can I detox from opioids at home?

It’s not advised. Home detox is often painful, risky, and frequently leads to relapse, particularly when opioid cravings become overwhelming. In a medical detox setting, you’re supported 24/7 with medications, monitoring, and clinical care.

What’s the difference between heroin detox and prescription opioid detox?

The substances differ in strength and form, but the detox process is very similar. Both require medical supervision, symptom management, and a tailored tapering plan when necessary. Heroin may trigger faster withdrawal, while long-acting prescription opioids may require a slower detox.

Are there any remedies I can take for opiate detox?

It is advisable to eat a nutritious diet throughout opiate detox in order to replenish vitamins and minerals that have been lost through drug abuse. It is also very important to remain hydrated – make sure you drink plenty of water and healthy juices. This will support your body as it flushes out toxins and will restore it to an optimal state.

How can I support a loved one through opiate detox?

If a family member is about to embark on an opiate detox, you can help them in several different ways. Firstly, make sure they are getting the right help – research treatment centres and talk to your doctor. You may also offer to drive them to appointments and provide them with moral support as they go through the process. Opiate detox can be tricky, so your family member may rely on you for encouragement – stay positive and remind them of what the future holds once they get clean.

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