in past fifteen years, (8) it is likely that
opiate withdrawal has become more severe. (9) Symptoms of heroin
withdrawal usually begin four to six hours following last use, peak within forty-eight hours, and subside within five to seven days.
Although opiate withdrawal is not usually fatal, deaths in jail due to inadequately treated opiate withdrawal have been reported. (10) The risk of withdrawal complications is heightened by the presence of co-morbid conditions.