Why Is Opioid Withdrawal So Painful?

Dr. Peter Coleman, who is Board-certified in Addiction Medicine and has been in recovery from opioid use himself since 1984, discusses what makes opioid withdrawal so painful. Fear of opiate withdrawal symptoms sometimes stops people from seeking treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.

-Safe, Comfortable Outpatient Detox
The Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine has been a leading outpatient addiction treatment center since 1998. Our innovative withdrawal management programs, often referred to as The Coleman Method, have helped thousands of people free themselves from addiction to Alcohol, Opioids, and Benzodiazepines. Originally founded in Richmond, Virginia, our network has expanded to cover 14 cities across the US.
-3 - 8 Day Opioid Detoxification Process
For short-acting opiates like oxycodone, most patients complete their detox and begin Naltrexone therapy within 5 days. Longer-acting opiates like Suboxone and Methadone typically take 8 days. Our standard opioid treatment package in Richmond, VA, Wellesley, MA (Boston area) and Willoughby, OH (Cleveland area) includes the detox and 6 months of case management and Naltrexone therapy. As a non-addictive opioid blocker, Naltrexone dramatically reduces cravings so that patients can focus on their recovery. We have a 98% success rate for completing detoxification and starting Naltrexone therapy. During the detox, we work with patients and their families to develop an appropriate aftercare plan. We also offer a convenient, 3-day outpatient alcohol detox and a Rapid Benzodiazepine Detox.
-Caring, Empathetic Environment
Dr. Peter Coleman understands first-hand the challenges our patients are facing due to his own personal struggle with the disease of addiction. He has been in long term recovery since 1984. Dr. Coleman has dedicated his career to treating addiction patients and creating a team and an environment conducive to long term recovery for his patients.

[jigsaw]

This is the first doctor recognizing the hell that is opiate withdrawal.

His experience, knowledge, and passion shows. His patients are likely lucky to have him.

[jhvgjoe]

I’m on day four from hydros and I’m hating myself at a high level- this should be a torchering tactic- it is hell

[shawnmurphy]

It was the worst week of my life five days no sleep, restless, legs, sweats, chills, fever, weakness, everything 😩

[danielhance]

I would rather be put to death than experience full blown cold Turkey withdrawal. It’s vey similar to how time slows down when your a kid during Christmas. It shows slows down time to a crawl, and you feel every single last ounce of pain in the slowest way possible.

I have been burned, beaten, hit by cars, had bones severely broken, and I would sooner get my nose smashed in then go through heroin withdrawal again

[blackblade]

To me the withdrawal feels like being set on fire.

[oceanark]

Thank God for Colman Institute! The best decision I ever made to get off prescribed pain medication was to go through your program.

[SureTCrash]

Have you ever had a patient with chronic pain that has been treated with opioids for 6 years suddenly report the complete lack of medication effectiveness and 8 days into cold turkey withdrawal exhibits absolutely no withdrawal symptoms. That's the situation i am in currently and both my GP and Pain Specialist have no answers. Hydro-morphine 6mg-10mg every six hours for the past two years has been my opioid dose. I will admit to intentionally putting myself through withdrawals many, many times to lower my tolerance rather than ask for more. Healthcare in Canada tends to leave chronic pain patients in a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" position. We know tolerance to the opioids grows fast but there is the expectation to never need to increase the opioid dose even afters years. Its insane. My pain is really starting to decline my mental health and I refuse to take the opioid without any pain relief benefit. What has happened to me? Are my receptors somehow blocked? How can I possibly have zero withdrawal symptoms? Any advice would greatly appreciated.

[pattif]

You have a good explainationing of what it is like. It is horrifying. It sounds like you have a good heart for people. God bless you, sir, and all of the people you are helping.❤

[FrestyFX]

I go cold turkey without Any problems but i find it hard staying sober

[queenicedcoffee]

Not everytime i withdrawal but sometimes i get such awful back pain like i really broke a bone or something even though i know thats impossible since i havent left my bed

[tamia]

Does this mean our bodies are constantly dosing us with our own pain killers so that regular things, like wearing a shirt, don’t feel painful? I understand they don’t have any natural pain relief anymore, but I’m still confused on what’s causing the pain that needs to be relieved in the first place

[josh-zlxd]

It's like 7 days of hell over and over and If you can't last that 7 days you use and even if you manage to get clean today being around america your bound to come into contact with the only feeling that's makes everything ok to you

[wknjnow]

Just done 6 days widraw im off it i done all the symptoms was horrible but i sailed through it was on120 mil morphine a day

[ThiNguyen-bjtz]

Show this video to ALL students before they reach that age where they can easily fall victims to this horrific stuff. The absolute best thing to do is to NEVER try it in the first place. Once you go down certain roads in life, there is absolutely no return.

[ympogue]

Our bodies in pain constantly and brain have their own pain killer, but opioid is outsider pain killer booster that makes our brains said " owh, you using outsiders for your pain? Good luck" they will not help you until the remaining outsider opioid in your system detox from your body and they will work for you again.

[HustleGamingNz]

With this was available in NZ my doctors still tell me its non addictive and iv been full addicted since i started em 12 years ago

[williamdon]

One of the best things for withdrawal is gabbapentin. It gives you a chance to sleep. If you could sleep off dope sickness. We would have kicked it long ago. Ugh the constant sneezing and watery eyes. Or when you think you dropped dope somewhere.

[specjalistapatologii]

I want this doctor!! Respect, he know exacly withdrawl its clear agony.. On my life i just found 2 very good doctors who listeing me. Most of them are arrogant assholes, who know better how you feel at a given moment. I have more stress before GP, like normal... 🤬😡🤬

[annen.]

What is the best help for the panic part?

[etfvfzq]

What dosages of naltrexone are you using?