What are drug withdrawal symptoms?
Let’s think of the brain as a coiled spring. Drugs and other substances are depressants, and they push the spring down. They inhibit the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. When you stop using your drug of choice, the weight on the spring is taken off. The brain produces a flood of adrenaline. This causes you to experience withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal is a sign that the body has become physically dependent on a substance. It can be very difficult and even dangerous to quit drugs by physical force alone. Professional, doctor-supervised drug treatment can help you clear drugs from your system, relieve pain, and safely manage withdrawal symptoms.
Common Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
The type and severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the type of drug, how long you use it, and how much you take. Here are some common symptoms:
• Physical symptoms: headaches, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, night sweats, fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc.
• Psychological symptoms: anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, difficulty concentrating.
• Severe symptoms (potentially life-threatening): seizures, heart rhythm disturbances, confusion, or hallucinations.
What helps with drug withdrawal?
Although you may face severe withdrawal symptoms, recovery is possible. These 5 tips can help you cope with withdrawal symptoms.
1. Seek professional help
Drug withdrawal can be risky, especially for some strong drugs. It is crucial to seek professional medical help. A doctor or addiction treatment specialist can develop a personalized withdrawal plan based on the patient's specific situation. Common treatments include:
Drug treatment: Use replacement drugs (such as methadone or buprenorphine) to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Monitoring treatment: Receive 24-hour monitoring in a hospital or professional drug rehabilitation facility.
2. Don't stop using drugs suddenly
Suddenly stopping medication may cause withdrawal symptoms to worsen or even lead to dangerous situations. Gradually reducing the dosage under the guidance of a doctor is the safest way to quit.
3. Pay attention to mental health
Drug withdrawal is not only a physical challenge, but also a psychological test. The following methods can help relieve psychological symptoms:
Psychological counseling: Receive professional psychological counseling to deal with emotional problems caused by withdrawal.
Support groups: Join a drug rehabilitation mutual aid group to communicate with people with similar experiences and get support and encouragement.
4. Adopt a healthy lifestyle
For a better distraction, try a new hobby. Again, just make sure it’s a healthy alternative to substance abuse.
These can be anything creative, like painting or playing music, or gardening, cooking, or even just reading. Anything that gets you out of the withdrawal phase and helps you achieve a sense of clarity.
5. Consider alternative treatments
Certain alternative treatments may help with withdrawal symptoms:
Acupuncture: Improves insomnia and anxiety symptoms.
Meditation and yoga: Relaxes the mind and body and relieves stress.
Detoxing and going through withdrawal symptoms can be tough. You have to prepare for the worst because it’s not going to be an easy journey. This isn’t to stop you from going through it, but it’s something you should know ahead of time. The more you know about what you’ll experience during detox, the better prepared you’ll be.
If you or someone close to you is going through drug withdrawal, contact a medical professional right away for the proper support and treatment.
