Why We Must Treat Opioid Withdrawal Like the Medical Emergency It Is

Not long ago, I was consulted on a case involving a patient on the medical floor of the hospital where I work. She had presented with symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and by the time I saw her, she was in clear and undeniable discomfort. Her physical symptoms were intense, and she was visibly distressed. What struck me most was not her condition, but the fact that no medication had been given to ease her suffering. Specifically, she had not received methadone or any other appropriate treatment to manage her withdrawal.

I reviewed the case and then spoke with the attending hospitalist to understand the treatment plan. She told me that she had planned to discharge the patient and was not considering administering methadone or keeping her admitted. Her rationale was that opioid withdrawal is not life threatening.

I almost never get angry in clinical settings, but her response made me angry. While technically accurate, the statement was dangerously misinformed. It is true that opioid withdrawal rarely causes death in the same way alcohol withdrawal can, but the intense physical and emotional suffering it causes often drives patients to return to using. In today’s landscape, where fentanyl is now a common component of the recreational drug supply, relapse is not just a setback. It often has fatal consequences.

Patients in withdrawal are often at a crossroads. They are in crisis, but also in a rare moment of potential transition. If we fail to meet them with compassion, support, and appropriate treatment, we miss the opportunity to help them begin their recovery. Sending someone out of the hospital in that condition, expecting them to simply endure it, is not just unkind. It is dangerous and, in many cases, it leads directly to preventable harm.

This case reminded me of the broader issue within our health care system. We continue to struggle with treating substance use disorders, especially opioid use disorder, with the urgency and medical seriousness they deserve. Instead of offering a clear path to detox programs, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient recovery services, and medication-assisted treatment, patients often face roadblocks, long waits, and judgment. I have always believed that it should be easy — embarrassingly easy — to access care for opioid withdrawal. If we make it complicated or difficult, especially during a nationwide opioid crisis, then we are failing those who need our help most.

At Calivor Psychiatric Solutions, we are doing our part to change that. Through telehealth psychiatry, we offer treatment options that include medication support for opioid use disorder and assist patients across Connecticut in accessing the services they need to begin and sustain recovery. Whether someone is ready to stop using for the first time or returning to treatment after a relapse, we approach their care with empathy, clinical expertise, and a commitment to seeing the full person behind the symptoms.

Helping people achieve and maintain sobriety requires more than a prescription or a one-time consultation. It requires a system that views addiction as a chronic medical condition and provides care that is consistent, respectful, and centered on healing. That is the kind of care we are proud to offer every day.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid use, we are here to support you. Calivor Psychiatric Solutions provides telehealth psychiatric care across Connecticut and can help with evidence-based treatment and meaningful referrals to detox, rehab, and long-term recovery programs.