Can Opioid Withdrawal Cause Hallucinations?

Understanding Opioid Withdrawal

Opioids, including prescription pain medicines and illicit drugs, affect the brain’s reward and pain systems. With long-term use, the brain adapts and builds opioid dependence. Stopping opioids throws the nervous system off balance.

Doctors sometimes use the term opiate withdrawal, which refers to natural opiates like morphine or codeine. Both opiate and synthetic opioid withdrawal can cause the same symptoms and both need medical care.

Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety or depressed mood
• Sweating, chills, or shaking
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• High blood pressure and rapid heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Trouble sleeping

Most people deal with these physical effects. However, withdrawal can also affect mental health, leading to confusion, disorientation, or—in rare cases—hallucinations.

Can opioid withdrawal cause hallucinations?

Hallucinations during opioid withdrawal are not common, but they do occur. A person may see, hear, or feel things that are not real. Some report auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices or noises.

Researchers believe hallucinations happen when the brain’s chemical balance shifts after opioids are stopped. The nervous system becomes overactive, which can trigger psychotic symptoms or short-term confusion.

Opioid Withdrawal Psychosis

In rare cases, withdrawal leads to a more severe condition called opioid withdrawal psychosis. Also called induced psychosis, this condition includes:

• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things)
• Delusions or false beliefs
• Paranoia or extreme fear

This is more likely in people with:

• A history of psychotic disorder or other mental illness
• Long-term or heavy opioid use
• Co-occurring substance use disorders

Several case reports describe patients who experienced psychosis during detox. Symptoms usually improve with treatment, but without care, the condition can be dangerous.

Opioid Withdrawal and Mental Health Effects

Withdrawal is not just physical—it also affects the mind. Opioid withdrawal mental health effects can include:

• Severe anxiety or panic attacks
• Irritability and anger
• Confusion
• Depressed mood and hopelessness

These challenges make recovery harder and raise the risk of relapse. Some people return to opioids to escape emotional distress. For this reason, treating mental health is just as important as treating physical withdrawal.

Risk Factors for Hallucinations During Opioid Withdrawal

Not everyone who goes through withdrawal will experience hallucinations. However, certain factors raise the risk. Recognizing these risks helps doctors provide closer monitoring and faster treatment when needed.

Key risk factors include:

• Long-term or heavy opioid use
• Sudden detox without medical help
• Pre-existing mental health disorders
• Polysubstance use
• Poor physical health

By understanding these risk factors, patients and families can see why professional supervision is important. Medical detox centers are trained to monitor warning signs and intervene before hallucinations or psychosis become dangerous.

Why Does Opioid Withdrawal Cause Hallucinations?

So, why does opioid withdrawal cause hallucinations? Experts point to several reasons:

1. Neurochemical imbalance – Opioids change brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Withdrawal disrupts these systems.
2. Stress response – Withdrawal activates the body’s stress system, which can affect perception.
3. Pre-existing conditions – People with mental illness are more vulnerable.
4. Polysubstance use – Using opioids with alcohol, sedatives, or stimulants raises the risk.

Together, these factors explain why some people develop opioid induced hallucinations while others do not.

How Common Are Hallucinations in Opioid Withdrawal?

You may ask, how common are hallucinations in opioid withdrawal? Research shows they are rare compared to physical symptoms like sweating, nausea, or muscle pain.

When hallucinations occur, they usually mean:

• The nervous system is under severe stress
• A mental health disorder may be present
• Immediate medical care is needed

Case reports confirm hallucinations in some patients, but larger studies show they affect only a small percentage. Even if uncommon, doctors must remain alert to protect patient safety.

Treatment and Support Options

Safe withdrawal needs both medical supervision and emotional support. The most effective treatment programs include:

1. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
2. Inpatient and Outpatient Programs
3. Mental Health Care

Safe Recovery From Opioid Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe. Hallucinations during opioid withdrawal are rare but should never be ignored. With proper care, they can be managed safely.

At Scottsdale Detox Center, patients receive medical support, medication-assisted treatment, and mental health care. Even difficult cases—such as opioid withdrawal psychosis—are treated with professional guidance.

Recovery from opioid use disorder is possible. With medical care, counseling, and relapse-prevention strategies, people can overcome dependence on pain medicines and move toward healthier lives.