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.
