Withdrawal symptoms are one of the biggest barriers to getting addiction treatment. The good news? Modern medicine offers safe, effective ways to manage withdrawal and help you feel better quickly.
Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms
When your body is used to opioids and you stop using them, you experience withdrawal. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body aches and pains
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Diarrhea
- Sleep problems
- Strong cravings
These symptoms are temporary but can feel overwhelming without proper medical support.
Medications That Help With Withdrawal
Several proven medications can reduce withdrawal symptoms and make the process much more manageable.
Methadone and/or Kadian for withdrawal eliminates withdrawal symptoms by satisfying your body’s opioid needs with a safe, long-acting medication. Most people feel relief within hours of their first dose.
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) reduces withdrawal symptoms while blocking the effects of other opioids. It’s particularly effective for people with moderate opioid dependence.
Comfort Medications Additional withdrawal symptoms medication can help specific symptoms:
- Anti-nausea medications
- Sleep aids
- Medications for anxiety
- Pain relievers for body aches
Why Medical Supervision Matters
Trying to manage withdrawal alone is dangerous and often unsuccessful. Medical supervision ensures:
- Safe medication dosing
- Monitoring for complications
- Adjustment of treatments as needed
- Support through difficult moments
At Arrow Medical, our addiction medicine doctors have specialized training in managing opioid withdrawal safely and effectively.
Different Approaches to Managing Withdrawal
Medically Assisted Withdrawal (Detox)
Some people prefer a short-term approach where medications help them through withdrawal before stopping all substances.
Maintenance Treatment
Others choose long-term treatment with methadone, Kadian, or Suboxone. This approach has higher success rates for long-term recovery.
Safe Opioid Supply
For people at high risk, safe opioid supply can prevent withdrawal while reducing other risks.
What to Expect During Addiction Withdrawal Treatment
First 24-48 Hours:
- Initial medical assessment
- Starting medication to prevent withdrawal
- Close monitoring and dose adjustments
- Support from the medical team
First Week:
- Continued dose optimization
- Symptom monitoring
- Beginning of stabilization
- Planning ongoing treatment
Ongoing Treatment:
- Regular check-ins with the medical team
- Dose adjustments as needed
- Support for recovery goals
- Coordination with other services
Arrow Medical’s Approach to Withdrawal Management
We believe withdrawal doesn’t have to be torture. Our harm reduction, patient-centred approach means:
- Quick access to withdrawal medications
- Comfortable, judgment-free environment
- Experienced addiction medicine doctors
- Flexible treatment options
Our Locations for Withdrawal Treatment
Arrow Medical provides withdrawal management at all locations:
- Toronto – Multiple addiction treatment centres
- Barrie – Walk-in services available
- Bancroft – Serving Quinte region and rural communities
- Crystal Beach – Niagara region access
Beyond Managing Withdrawal
Managing withdrawal is just the first step. We also provide:
- Long-term addiction treatment
- Hepatitis C treatment
- Mental health support
- Connection to community resources
When to Seek Help
Don’t wait until withdrawal becomes unbearable. Seek help if you’re:
- Planning to reduce or stop drug use
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Tired of the cycle of using to avoid withdrawal
- Ready to explore addiction treatment options
Getting Started
You don’t need to suffer through withdrawal alone. Walk into any Arrow Medical clinic — no appointment required. Our team will assess your situation and start appropriate medications quickly.
Visit us today or call us to learn more about withdrawal management options. We’re here to make your path to recovery as comfortable as possible.