What Is Withdrawal and Why Does it Happen?

What Is Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal?

Drug and alcohol withdrawal is characterized by experiencing behavioral, emotional, and physical changes after ceasing your use of drugs or alcohol. As your substance abuse progresses over time, your body becomes physically reliant on the harmful toxins of alcohol and drugs to function normally throughout the day. As you attempt to quit your use of alcohol or drugs, your body will experience adverse side effects known as withdrawal symptoms. The severity of your withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on the frequency you used drugs or alcohol, the amount you would use at one time, and the different substances you would engage in, including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or alcohol. Depending on the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, there is a potential for dangerous side effects that can risk your overall health and well-being. For those individuals experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, it is necessary and recommended to complete your alcohol or drug detox within a medically supervised detox program. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

What Causes Withdrawal?

The use of drugs and alcohol significantly impacts your brain and body’s state of balance, known as homeostasis. As your drug or alcohol use progresses, your brain will begin to adjust and adapt to the chemical imbalance to function normally throughout the day. After you abruptly end your regular use of alcohol and drugs, your brain will be fighting to find normal, healthy homeostasis causing significant negative responses through withdrawal symptoms. Once your body can find a balance within homeostasis, your withdrawal symptoms will subside as you begin to have healthy body functioning and processing. 

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Those individuals living with an alcohol use disorder may experience the following withdrawal symptoms as they enter into alcohol detox:

• Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia 
• Increased heart rate 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Restlessness 
• Tremors 
• Anxiety 
• Increased blood pressure 
• Agitation or irritability 

Some individuals may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including delirium tremens that can cause the following withdrawal symptoms: 

• Inability to regulate body temperature 
• Hallucinations 
• Seizures 
• Difficulty managing or regulating blood pressure 
• Extreme state of confusion or impaired consciousness 

Withdrawal Symptoms by Drug

Depending on your drug of choice, you will experience varying levels in severity and types of withdrawal symptoms. 

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Body or muscle aches or tension 
• Anxiety 
• Agitation or irritability 
• Experiencing a sensitivity to lights, smells, or sounds
• Hallucinations 
• Rapid pulse and heart rate 
• Excessive sweating 
• Seizures
• Tremors 
• Insomnia 
• Challenges with concentrating or memory loss 

Opioid withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Flu-like symptoms 
• Chills 
• Body or muscle pains 
• Anxiety 
• Dysphoria 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Fever 
• Excessive sweating 
• Increased pain susceptibility 

Individuals using stimulants may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Dramatic changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping more than usual or experiencing insomnia 
• High levels of energy 
• Fatigue 
• Restlessness 
• Depression
• Anxiety 
• Increased appetite 
• Muscle aches 
• Agitation or irritability 
• Moving faster than usual or slower than normal 
• Experiencing strong urges or cravings for drugs 

Marijuana withdrawal can result in these withdrawal symptoms:

• Anxiety or nervousness 
• Headaches 
• Loss of appetite 
• Stomach aches 
• Depression
• Insomnia 
• Anger 
• Intense cravings for marijuana 
• Restlessness 

Learn more about Klonopin and alcohol withdrawal here:

https://whitesandstreatment.com/2016/11/30/klonopin-alcohol-withdrawal/amp/

Klonopin and Alcohol Withdrawal

How Medical Detox Programs Manage Withdrawal

A medical detox program supports patients in overcoming their physical dependence on alcohol or drugs with the on-site, consistent support of highly trained medical professionals in safe practices for alcohol and drug withdrawal practices. As you experience alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms, your physical, emotional, and mental health symptoms will be monitored to check your symptoms to ensure you are receiving the proper level of care throughout your detox program. Should you begin to experience severe symptoms as you withdraw from drugs or alcohol, you may be provided with medications that will reduce the severity of your symptoms while keeping you feeling comfortable and maintaining your physical and emotional health and safety. 

Inpatient Medical Detox at WhiteSands

WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab is the top choice for Americans ready to address their alcohol or drug addiction through medical drug detox and alcohol rehab programs. With the support of our highly qualified and reliable medical team, your withdrawal symptoms will be continuously monitored to ensure you can remain focused on your overarching goals of living in sobriety. With a combination of medical treatment, behavioral therapy, and holistic treatments, your individualized treatment program will support you in healing from your addiction within your body, mind, and soul. 

Contact WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today to speak with one of our compassionate counselors to discuss your specific detox and rehab program we will provide you to help you overcome your addiction and get started on your addiction recovery path.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.