Opioid Withdrawal is a withdrawal syndrome that develops after stopping or reducing opioid use that has been heavy and prolonged. Opioid withdrawal can also be triggered by administration of an opioid antagonist (e.g. - naloxone or naltrexone) after a period of opioid use.
Presence of either of the following:
At least 3
of the following developing within minutes to several days after Criterion A
:
The signs or symptoms in Criterion B
cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The signs or symptoms are not attributable to another medical condition and are not better explained by another mental disorder, including intoxication or withdrawal from another substance.
Name | Rater | Description | Download |
---|---|---|---|
Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) | Clinician | An 11-item scale designed to be administered by a clinician. This can be used in both inpatient/outpatient settings to reproducibly rate and monitor common signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal. | COWS Download |
Guideline | Location | Year | Website | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) | Canada | 2018 | - | Link |
BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) | Canada | 2023 | Link | Link |
META:PHI | Canada | 2019 | Link | Link |
Canadian Guidelines on Opioid Use Disorder Among Older Adults | Canada | 2020 | Link | |
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) | UK | 2007 | - | Link |
American Psychiatric Association | USA | 2006, 2007 | - | • Guideline (2006) • Guideline Watch (2007) • Quick Reference |