What to Expect · How Care Helps

Opioid withdrawal timeline — what to expect.

Understanding the withdrawal process helps you prepare and know how Suboxone & MAT can support recovery. Below is a general timeline of how symptoms typically progress — and where care comes in at every stage.

8–24 hrsSymptoms typically begin

24–72 hrsPeak intensity

Days 3–7Acute symptoms ease

Weeks – MonthsPost-acute phase (PAWS)

The Timeline

Four phases of opioid withdrawal.

A general view of how symptoms emerge, peak, ease, and resolve — and where Suboxone and clinical care meet you at each phase.

8–24 hours

Phase One

Early onset.

The first signs appear after the last opioid dose. Symptoms are uncomfortable but manageable — like the start of a difficult flu. This is often when patients first reach out.

Anxiety Agitation Muscle aches Watery eyes Runny nose Yawning Sweating

How Suboxone helps: When mild–moderate symptoms are present, careful induction can begin — easing this phase quickly.

24–72 hours

Phase Two

Peak symptoms.

Symptoms intensify and reach their most challenging point. This phase is often described as physically the hardest stretch — and the reason so many people relapse without medical support.

Severe muscle aches Nausea & vomiting Abdominal cramping Diarrhea Dilated pupils Goosebumps Insomnia Intense cravings

How Suboxone helps: Once started, Suboxone significantly reduces peak symptoms — turning what could be days of suffering into manageable hours.

3–7 days

Phase Three

Acute symptoms begin to ease.

Physical symptoms gradually subside. Energy, sleep, and mood take longer to recover than the body. By the end of this window, most patients on Suboxone feel meaningfully stabilized.

Reduced muscle aches Improving GI symptoms Lingering fatigue Disrupted sleep Low mood Continued cravings

How Suboxone helps: Dose adjustments fine-tune relief. Your care team monitors progress and supports the body's return to baseline.

1–4+ weeks

Phase Four

Post-acute phase (PAWS).

Subtler, longer-lasting effects continue for weeks to months — often called Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. Ongoing care and Suboxone maintenance support full, sustainable recovery.

Mood fluctuations Sleep changes Periodic cravings Reduced motivation Stress sensitivity

How Suboxone helps: Maintenance therapy stabilizes brain chemistry over time — lowering relapse risk and supporting long-term recovery alongside therapy and lifestyle care.

Timing varies. The phases above are a general guide. Onset and duration depend on the specific opioid (short-acting vs. long-acting), dose, duration of use, and your individual physiology. Your provider will help you understand what to expect in your situation.

At a Glance

Withdrawal symptoms & how Suboxone helps.

What you may feel

Common withdrawal symptoms.

Anxiety, agitation
Muscle aches
Sweating, nausea
Insomnia, cravings

What changes with treatment

How Suboxone helps.

Reduces withdrawal symptoms
Decreases cravings
Stabilizes the brain
Lowers relapse risk

Start Recovery

You don't have to go through this alone.

Contact Redi-Med Psychiatry to begin a safe, monitored treatment plan — we'll meet you at whatever phase you're in.

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Conveniently located in Mandeville.

Redi-Med Psychiatry

4430 Louisiana 22, Mandeville, LA 70471

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