Drug withdrawal can be a painful experience for addicts. As the body adjusts to the continuous intake of harmful, mind-altering substances, it also begins to rely on those substances for even natural processes. Consequently, an individual will inevitably begin to experience withdrawal symptoms only hours after their last dose. This causes addicts to feel increasingly desperate as each day is driven by their fear of withdrawal and desperation to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.
What Is Drug Withdrawal?
In short, drug withdrawal symptoms are what addicted individuals experience when they deprive their bodies of the substances that their bodies have become accustomed to receiving on a regular, daily basis. The core of withdrawal is in the brain. When an individual abuses alcohol or drugs, the substance causes a neurochemical spike in the brain that produces euphoria, pleasurable feelings and serves to reinforce the behavior, making the individual want to experience alcohol or drug intoxication again and again.
However, as an individual continues to abuse their substance of choice, the body becomes tolerant of the substance. This means that the individual must escalate dosage in order to achieve the desired effects.
Before long, the individual is bombarding the body with dangerously large amounts of alcohol or drugs, but the body is forced to adapt. Since the substance abuse produces a spike in neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin, the brain almost stops production of those neurochemicals on its own and, instead, begins relying on the alcohol or drugs as the source of those neurochemicals.
Unfortunately, this means that after a brief period without alcohol or drugs, an individual experience a major deficit as the neurochemicals from the last dose are depleted, leaving the individual in need of more alcohol or drugs in order to restore the neurochemicals to a functional level.
According to estimates, drug withdrawal symptoms can develop between four and twelve hours after an individual’s last dose of alcohol or drugs. This state—in which an individual is experiencing symptoms that result from the body having insufficient neurochemicals and being unable to produce them in the absence of alcohol or drugs—is what’s referred to as drug withdrawal.
While the brain is experiencing a neurochemical deficit, the body begins experiencing its own withdrawal symptoms as well. Many addicts who have experienced drug withdrawal compare its symptoms to those of a severe cold or flu.
Individuals in drug withdrawal may feel:
- soreness and aches throughout the body
- hot and/or cold sweats
- jerking and twitching of limbs
- severe insomnia
- moodiness and agitation
- anxiety
- watery eyes
- frequent sneezing and yawning
- nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
- racing heartbeat and/or palpitations
- difficulty breathing
- restlessness
- inability to concentrate or focus
- feelings of isolation
In effect, withdrawal from alcohol and drugs causes a number of very diverse physical and even emotional symptoms.
What to Do When Suffering from Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
When drug withdrawal symptoms become very severe, they can potentially become life-threatening, making it essential to seek emergency care or professional treatment as soon as possible. For instance, severe withdrawal can lead to hallucinations, seizures, stroke, heart attack, and in the case of alcoholic withdrawal, a dangerous condition called delirium tremens (DT.)
However, if an individual is experiencing withdrawal symptoms that aren’t life-threatening, there are a few ways that they can try to deal with the symptoms by alleviating or distracting oneself from the discomfort. One thing that individuals can do in order to cope with withdrawal symptoms is to keep oneself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When in withdrawal, the body sweats and loses much of its fluid while diarrhea and vomiting can exacerbate the dehydration. So, keeping oneself hydrated can ease some level of discomfort.
Many individuals who have dealt with drug withdrawal on their own recommend taking a hot or cool bath or shower, whichever is one’s preference according to whether one is feeling hot or cold. For instance, if one has been hot and sweating, taking a cool shower can offer some relief while a hot bath might feel good to someone whose withdrawal has made them cold.
There are also some over-the-counter medications that one can take to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This includes medications like Imodium for diarrhea, Dramamine or Bonine (meclizine) for nausea, and Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen (Advil) for body aches.
Advice for Loved Ones of Someone Suffering from Drug Withdrawal
There’s very little that loved ones can do for an individual who is suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms. The biggest help is to offer emotional support and encouragement, checking in with the individual periodically to see if there’s anything he or she needs.
It might help some to keep the individually occupied and keep their mind off the discomfort of withdrawal. This can be achieved with conversation, watching movies, playing board games or cards, and other low-intensity activities. Additionally, it would be helpful to offer the individual experiencing withdrawal things like extra blankets, clean sheets, or even a small fan for instances when they are experiencing hot flashes and sweats.
Offering the individual a sweet treat now and then is a nice gesture as well, although there’s no guarantee that they will want anything to eat while being nauseous. Again, the support and encouragement of loved ones are most helpful.
Going through Drug Withdrawal? Call Us Now
No two individuals develop addiction in precisely the same way. Similarly, the recovery journey differs for each addict as well. Finding the most appropriate, effective treatment program for one’s specific recovery needs is a very personal process.
Drug Treatment Center Finder has a wealth of resources to make that process easier so that you or your loved one can begin the healing journey as soon as possible. Call our 24-hour helpline at (855) 619-8070, day or night, for a free consultation and assessment. Your new life of happiness and health can begin with just one phone call.
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