Which sign is typically associated with opiate withdrawal?

Sweating is a classic sign of opiate withdrawal and can manifest quite prominently as the body reacts to the absence of the drug. During withdrawal, individuals often experience an overstimulation of the autonomic nervous system, leading to various physiological responses. Sweating, along with other symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, muscle aches, and insomnia, is a direct result of the body attempting to recalibrate itself after the cessation of opiates.

In contrast, delirium, shock, and coma are more severe and less common symptoms associated with withdrawal from other substances or may occur in specific medical emergencies, rather than being characteristic of opiate withdrawal. Delirium may indicate an underlying complication or co-occurring condition, shock represents a critical system failure, and coma is a state of profound unconsciousness that is not typically seen in opiate withdrawal scenarios. Therefore, sweating stands out as a prominent and expected physical finding during opiate withdrawal.