Onset

• Heroin withdrawal occurs within 8-24 hours of last use (may be slower with other opiates such as methadone)

Duration

• Heroin:  Peaks 2-4 days and ceases at 7-10 days
• Methadone symptoms emerge 36-48 hours after last dose and low grade symptoms can remain for 3-6 weeks

Diarrhoea

• Atropine Sulphate/Diphenoxylate Hydrochloride (Lomotil)
• Loperamide Hydrochloride (Imodium) 
• Drink plenty of fluids - 6 - 8 glasses of water a day
• Eat regular meals

Headaches

• Paracetamol (Panadol)
• Massage

Nausea and Vomiting

• Anxiety, agitation, sweating, tremor, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, craving, insomnia, elevated blood pressure, pulse and temperature; headache, seizures, confusion, perceptual distortions, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, delirium tremens, arrhythmias and Wernicke’s encephalopathy
• Potential Complications
• Seizures - Convulsions, sensory disturbances, loss of consciousness
• Hallucinations - Visual or tactile transient hallucinations, paranoia, psychological disturbances, abnormal affect, auditory or visual delusions

Onset

• Within 24 hours and up to 48 hours 
• (depending on Blood Alcohol Level; hours after last drink and level of neuro-adaptation)

Duration

• 3-7 days (up to 14 days in severe withdrawal)