Addiction and Substance Abuse

Post addiction withdrawal symptoms

05/07/2008 10:19AM

Question:

I was declared an opioid dependent after several years of prescription percocets, and finally detoxed for 1 week as an inpatient, discharged on 19 Apr 08. Since then I feel lost, depressed, stressed out and suffering anxiety, as well as lethargic with no energy or ambition. I`m 73 yrs old. Is this condition "normal" and if so, whill I eventurally recover?

Answer:

Thank you for your good question.

Yes, this is pretty normal. It often takes 6+ months for the brain to return to a new baseline state after medical withdrawal. You can possibly help the speed of recovery with physical therapy and other counseling. Some people develop major depression after opioid withdrawal, so be sure to check with your physician to ensure that a diagnosis of depression is not missed.

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Response by:

Ted Parran, MD
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
University Hospitals
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University