How long does opioid withdrawal last?
Hours 8–24: yawning, restlessness, sweating, muscle aches, anxiety. Days 1–3: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe muscle pain, insomnia. Days 3–7: symptoms gradually resolve.
Opioid withdrawal is severe but not usually medically dangerous by itself. MAT (buprenorphine) shortens and softens the window significantly.
Post-acute withdrawal (sleep, mood, cravings) can last months. Outpatient care manages this.
Sources & further reading
Medically reviewed by our clinical team
Dr. Dhiren Patel, DO
Staff Psychiatrist · Real Deal Recovery
Board-certified psychiatric care for adults in outpatient treatment.
Sharaya Gallozzi, M.A., LMFT-S
Chief Clinical Officer · EMDR-Trained · Meet Sharaya
Leads the Real Deal clinical team; supervises therapists across all three rehab centers.
Last reviewed September 2026. This article is educational and is not medical advice. In an emergency call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
