Signs and symptoms of heroin withdrawal can include:
- Depression
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Fever
- Sweating
- Vomiting and diarrhea
It is a severe flu-like illness and the severity of the symptoms typically peaks at around 2-3 days. If untreated, some of these symptoms, such as persistent vomiting and diarrhea, can lead to dehydration, elevated blood sodium level and heart failure.
However, all of the symptoms can be treated with appropriate medical attention. These symptoms can be avoided by taking a form of opioid agonist therapy such as methadone or buprenorphine.