Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS)

The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is a tool used by healthcare providers to assess the severity of withdrawal symptoms in individuals who are stopping the use of opioids, such as prescription painkillers or heroin. It measures various symptoms, like anxiety, sweating, and muscle aches, giving a score that helps determine how severe the withdrawal is. This can guide treatment decisions and ensure patients receive appropriate care and support during their recovery. Higher scores indicate more intense withdrawal symptoms and may necessitate more intensive treatment or medications to ease discomfort.