Withdrawal Symptoms
Anyone who becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is likely to suffer from withdrawal symptoms at some point, but withdrawal symptoms vary for each different drug. Withdrawal symptoms occur when the body and the brain react adversely to the lack of a particular drug in the system. The body becomes addicted to these drugs, so when it is no longer present, adverse reactions (the withdrawal symptoms) occur. Any individual who has become addicted to a narcotic, and wants to get off of the chemical substance, will experience withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms are best managed in a supervised detox along with a complete drug rehab program. Withdrawal symptoms come in two primary forms – emotional and physical. And across the wide spectrum of drug use, there are literally hundreds of different withdrawal symptoms that an individual may experience when they stop taking a drug.
The following represents some of the most common drugs and the associated withdrawal symptoms:
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms:
Though many refrain from calling it so, Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world. Withdrawal symptoms can kick in within 6-48 hours of the last drink and can be in the form of hallucinations, slurry speech, seizures and tremulousness. For the person who is severely addicted, there can be serious withdrawal symptoms in the form of a condition known as ‘Delirium Tremens’ (DTs) that includes hallucination, confusion and impairment of the autonomic nervous system that can happen between 48 and 96 hours after the last drink.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Marijuana
About 10 percent of people use marijuana regularly, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The drug acts on the central nervous system (CNS), causing a euphoric effect. When a person stops using after a high dosage or after chronic use, drug withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and agitation are experienced. The individual experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Marijuana can also have anxiety and suffer from insomnia.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Benzodiazepines
People who use benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam and chlordiazepoxide build up a tolerance by six months of use, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Physical drug withdrawal symptoms can occur such as abdominal pains and twitching. Cognitive functions can also be affected, which include impaired memory and concentration. Other withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines are agitation, anxiety and paranoia.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Cocaine
Cocaine causes the user to feel euphoric, but when use is stopped, it can produce a "crash." Other cocaine withdrawal symptoms include an intense craving for the drug, according to the NIH, along with fatigue, a depressed mood, increased appetite, agitation, suspicion and unpleasant dreams.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Opiate
The NIH states that 9 percent of the population misuses opiates, which include heroin, methadone, morphine and codeine. Drug withdrawal symptoms start within 12 hours for heroin and 30 hours for methadone. Early opiate withdrawal symptoms include sweating, agitation, insomnia, muscle aches and anxiety. As the withdrawal progresses, the person can also have withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, dilated pupils, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and goose bumps.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Heroin
Heroin withdrawal symptoms start within 6 to 8 hours after the last does of heroin is administered. These withdrawal symptoms peak in the duration of 48 and 72 hours from the last dose and then recede in a week’s time. Heroin withdrawal symptoms include dilated pupils, fever, chills, stomach cramps and diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, irritability, panic, nausea, muscle cramps and runny nose.
There are different stages of drug withdrawal symptoms as well. Generally, a person will start to feel worse and worse, hit a plateau, and then the withdrawal symptoms begin to dissipate. However, drug withdrawal symptoms from certain drugs (benzodiazapines, alcohol) can be fatal and therefore the abrupt discontinuation of any type of drug is not recommended. The term "cold turkey" is used to describe the sudden cessation use of a substance and the ensuing physiologic manifestations.
The sustained use of many kinds of drugs causes adaptations within the body that tend to lessen the drug's original effects over time, a phenomenon known as drug tolerance. At this point, one is said to also have a physical dependency on the given chemical. This is the stage that drug withdrawal symptoms may be experienced upon discontinuation. Some of these symptoms are generally the opposite of the drug's direct effect on the body. Depending on the length of time a drug takes to leave the bloodstream elimination half-life, drug withdrawal symptoms can appear within a few hours to several days after discontinuation and may also occur in the form of cravings. A craving is the strong desire to obtain, and use a drug or other substance similar to other cravings one might experience for food and hunger.
Drug withdrawal symptoms range from mild to extreme. In the case of mild drug withdrawal symptoms, the person experiences nausea, vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, insomnia and tremors. More serious withdrawal symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to fever, rapid pulse rate, heart palpitations, heavy sweating, respiratory distress, hallucinations. Other extreme physical withdrawal symptoms are difficulty walking, confusion and the person may also have seizures. From mild to extreme, drug withdrawal symptoms can become life-threatening.
Although drug withdrawal symptoms are often associated with the use of recreational drugs, many drugs have a profound effect on the user when stopped. When drug withdrawal symptoms from any medication occur, it can be harmful or even fatal. This is why prescription warning labels explicitly say not to discontinue the drug without doctor approval. Drug withdrawal symptoms can be a more serious medical issue for some chemical substances than for others. While nicotine withdrawal symptoms, for instance, is usually managed without medical intervention, attempting to give up a benzodiazepine or alcohol dependency can result in seizures and worse if not carried out properly. An instantaneous full stop to a long, constant alcohol use can lead to delirium tremens, which may be fatal.
Getting over drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms is an important part of treatment and recovery. If a person is in constant discomfort, it is difficult to move forward in the recovery process. Professionals at a drug rehab center can sometimes design a treatment plan to help ease the severity of the withdrawal symptoms and allow the patient to return to a more healthy state.
