What eases opiate withdrawal

Medical treatment does the most. Fluids, rest and company help too. Here is what each one does and where to get it.

Updated October 2026. Sources are linked on this page.

Illustration of a person resting on a sofa under a green blanket, with a friend sitting nearby

The short answer

What works best: Buprenorphine or methadone from a prescriber, which relieve both withdrawal and cravings.
Other medicines: Lofexidine or clonidine can ease symptoms, and a clinician can treat nausea, diarrhea and poor sleep.
At home: Fluids, rest, plain food and someone nearby help, but they do not replace medical care.

Medical treatment comes first

If you take one thing from this page, let it be this: withdrawal is a treatable medical condition. You are allowed to ask for help with it.

The medicines with the strongest evidence are buprenorphine and methadone. Both are opioids that act slowly and steadily. They settle withdrawal and quiet cravings without the high and crash of short-acting drugs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that people with opioid use disorder who are treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to overdose or die than people who are not treated.

Taking one of these medicines is not “swapping one drug for another”. It is standard medical care. You can read more on the buprenorphine and methadone pages.

What a prescriber can offer

	What it is	How it helps
Buprenorphine	An opioid medicine, usually a film or tablet that dissolves in the mouth	Relieves withdrawal and cravings. Usually started once early withdrawal has begun.
Methadone	A long-acting opioid medicine given through licensed opioid treatment programs	Relieves withdrawal and cravings. Can be started without waiting for withdrawal.
Lofexidine	A non-opioid medicine approved by the FDA for opioid withdrawal symptoms	Lessens symptoms for people stopping opioids. It is not a treatment for opioid use disorder itself.
Clonidine	A non-opioid blood pressure medicine that prescribers also use in withdrawal	Eases sweating, cramps, chills and anxiety. Can cause drowsiness, dizziness and low blood pressure.

How the right medicine gets chosen

There is no single best option for everyone. A prescriber will ask what you have been taking, how much, for how long, and what else is going on with your health.

Timing matters with buprenorphine. If it is taken too soon after another opioid, it can bring on sudden withdrawal. That is one reason this site does not give doses or schedules. A prescriber will tell you when and how to start.

This is especially true if you use fentanyl. See fentanyl withdrawal for why.

A clinician can also prescribe medicines for single symptoms. MedlinePlus notes that other medicines can treat vomiting and diarrhea and help with sleep.

Where you can get it

Buprenorphine can be prescribed in a doctor’s office, at many clinics and through telehealth. Methadone for opioid use disorder is provided through opioid treatment programs. Some people start in a detox unit, where staff can keep an eye on your fluids and blood pressure.

The treatment directory lists providers by state. If cost is the worry, start with treatment without insurance.

Safe comfort measures at home

These do not stop withdrawal. They make it easier to bear, and they protect you from its main physical danger, which is dehydration.

Fluids. Sweating, vomiting and diarrhea drain water fast. WHO guidelines advise drinking at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day during withdrawal. Small, frequent sips stay down better than big gulps.
Rest. Sleep will be poor. Lie down anyway. A dark, quiet room and a regular bedtime help more than you would expect.
Food. Eat small amounts of plain food when you can. Do not worry if your appetite is gone for a few days.
Warmth and cool. You will swing between hot and cold. Keep a blanket and a change of clothes within reach.
A person nearby. Someone who can bring water, notice if you get worse and call for help is worth more than any remedy.

Gentle movement, such as a short walk, can ease restless legs and low mood once you are able.

What to avoid while you are in withdrawal

Some things people try make withdrawal riskier.

Alcohol and sedatives you were not prescribed. The CDC lists combining opioids with benzodiazepines as a factor that raises overdose risk.
Someone else’s prescription. Borrowed buprenorphine, methadone or sleeping pills come without the guidance that makes them safe.
Online “detox kits” and recipes. None of them replace medical care, and some carry real risks.
Going back to your usual amount. After even a few days, your tolerance is lower.

Keep naloxone in the house and make sure the person with you knows where it is. Call 911 if someone is not breathing or cannot be woken.

For thoughts of suicide or a crisis, call or text 988. For free referral to treatment at any hour, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

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Questions people ask us

What is the best medicine for opiate withdrawal?

Buprenorphine and methadone have the strongest evidence. Both relieve withdrawal and cravings, and people treated with them are less likely to overdose. Lofexidine and clonidine ease symptoms without being opioids. Which one suits you depends on your health and what you have been taking, so a prescriber should decide.

Can I get withdrawal medicine without going to rehab?

Yes. Buprenorphine can be prescribed at a regular office visit, at many clinics and by telehealth, and you take it at home. Methadone is given through opioid treatment programs that you visit. Our outpatient treatment page explains how this works day to day.

Do over-the-counter remedies help with withdrawal?

Some may take the edge off single symptoms, but none treats withdrawal itself, and a few are risky in large amounts. We do not give doses here. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what is safe for you, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.

How much water should I drink during withdrawal?

World Health Organization guidelines advise at least 2 to 3 liters a day to replace what you lose through sweat and diarrhea. Sip steadily instead of drinking a lot at once. If you cannot keep fluids down or feel faint or confused, get medical help that day.

Sources

This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a clinician about your own situation.

Need help right now?

Someone is not breathing: call 911 Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988 Free treatment referral, 24/7: 1-800-662-4357 (SAMHSA National Helpline)