How Does Drug Withdrawal Impact Mental Health?

Drug withdrawal can have a significant impact on mental health, often leading to a range of challenging and sometimes severe psychological symptoms. As the body begins adjusting to the absence of the drug it had become dependent on, individuals can experience a range of psychological effects of drug withdrawal, including anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability, and in severe cases, paranoia, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. These impacts on mental health arise during medical drug detox because prolonged drug use alters brain chemistry, and suddenly stopping use disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters responsible for mood and emotion.

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Table of contents

» Why Does It Affect Mental Health?

» What Are the Most Common Mental Health Symptoms During Drug Withdrawal?

» Is There a Link Between Withdrawal and Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?

» What Coping Strategies Can Support Mental Health During Withdrawal?

» Key Takeaways from the Psychological Effects of Drug Withdrawal

» Resources

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Why Does It Affect Mental Health?

The psychological impacts of drug withdrawal arise from a complicated interaction of neurological, psychological, and emotional factors. When someone repeatedly consumes a substance, their brain adjusts to its presence. Many addictive substances, especially stimulants and opioids, trigger a spike in various neurotransmitters that regulate mood, such as dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and norepinephrine, within the brain’s reward system.

Over time, the brain modifies its functioning by decreasing the natural production of these chemicals and increasing the output of others to maintain stability, a process known as homeostasis, as noted by BrainFacts.org.

Essentially, the brain overcompensates in the opposite direction of the drug’s effects. For example, depressants like alcohol will slow down brain activity, so the brain adapts to keep the body awake and alert. This results in tolerance, meaning more of the drug is needed to achieve the same effect, and dependence, where the brain needs the substance to function normally.

When the drug is suddenly removed, the brain continues to function as if the drug were still present, persisting in down-regulating certain neurotransmitters while producing more of others, which results in psychological symptoms.

Furthermore, prolonged drug use disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body’s stress response. During withdrawal, cortisol, the stress hormone, can surge, resulting in increased anxiety, agitation, and diminished coping abilities. Additionally, many substances disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and interrupted REM sleep. Poor sleep exacerbates mental health issues and emotional regulation.

Individuals often use drugs or alcohol to cope with pre-existing mental issues like bipolar disorder, trauma, depression, and anxiety. When they no longer have the substance they used to self-medicate, these mental health symptoms can resurface, often worse than before, which can increase the chances of relapse after addiction rehab. Individuals with substance use disorders may experience emotions such as shame, guilt, and fear, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

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What Are the Most Common Mental Health Symptoms During Drug Withdrawal?

Drug withdrawal can trigger a wide array of mental health symptoms, as the brain struggles to re-establish its chemical balance after ceasing use of a substance it has become dependent on, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Specific symptoms can vary depending on the type of drug and individual factors; many are common across most withdrawal syndromes, such as:

• Anxiety and Panic
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Cravings
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Confusion or disorientation
• Fatigue

While less common, some people can experience severe symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, or suicidal ideation. These often require medical attention, especially if there’s a risk of self-harm or harm to others.

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Is There a Link Between Withdrawal and Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)?

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is essentially a prolonged and secondary phase of drug withdrawal. As noted in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, PAWS encompasses a range of psychological and mood-related symptoms that may persist for months or even years following the acute withdrawal from a substance.

While these symptoms are generally less severe than those experienced during the initial withdrawal phase, they can be enduring and often play a significant role in the drug rehab success rates.

Individuals may face:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety and depression
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Cognitive issues like memory and concentration problems
• Cravings

PAWS occurs due to many of the same factors that lead to the initial withdrawal symptoms. After detoxification, the brain needs time to repair neural pathways, re-regulate neurotransmitter systems, and function normally without the drug.

Whereas severe imbalances characterize acute withdrawal, PAWS represents the gradual, more subtle battle of the brain to restore normal levels of dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and other neurotransmitters, which can result in ongoing mood and cognitive challenges.

Moreover, the brain needs time to rewire neural pathways it had created when it was dependent on drugs. Returning to a healthy, pre-addiction state can be a lengthy process. Furthermore, individuals with underlying mental health conditions who relied on drugs or alcohol to cope or feel pleasure can continue to trigger distress and cravings. Essentially, PAWS is the brain’s long-term recovery process from addiction, illustrating the profound impact addiction has on the nervous system and the slow pace of healing.

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What Coping Strategies Can Support Mental Health During Withdrawal?

While the psychological effects of drug withdrawal can be challenging and distressing, there are effective methods to manage mental health symptoms. Supporting mental well-being during this time is essential to avoid relapse and promote lasting recovery.

Here are some effective strategies to help maintain cognitive health during drug withdrawal:

• Professional Support: Individuals need to seek therapy and counseling to tackle underlying mental health concerns and acquire effective coping mechanisms for managing mental health symptoms. For those at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, a medical detox program offers continuous monitoring, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and counseling services.
• Stress Reduction Strategies: Explore various methods to alleviate stress, such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling, spending time outdoors, or engaging in creative activities.
• Support Systems: Consider joining a recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), as sharing experiences with others who understand can reduce feelings of isolation and provide encouragement and practical advice. Additionally, relying on supportive family members or friends who are understanding and dedicated to your recovery is vital.
• Eat a Healthy Diet and Engage in Regular Exercise: Consuming a balanced diet rich in omega-3s, vitamins, and ample protein can enhance brain function and mood. Furthermore, regular physical activity can increase the brain’s natural production of neurotransmitters.
• Get Plenty of Rest: VeryWellMind suggests paying attention to your body, taking breaks when necessary, and ensuring adequate sleep. These are the moments when your brain and body can heal most effectively.

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Key Takeaways from the Psychological Effects of Drug Withdrawal

• Drug Withdrawal Impacts Mental Health: Prolonged drug use alters brain function and neurotransmitter balance, resulting in mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression as the brain attempts to re-stabilize itself.
• Psychological Effects of Drug Withdrawal are Varied: Withdrawal symptoms can differ significantly, ranging from mild problems like irritability, mood fluctuations, depression, and cravings to more severe conditions such as paranoia, psychosis, or thoughts of suicide.
• Underlying Mental Health Issues May Resurface: Those who have used substances to alleviate existing mental health disorders are likely to experience a resurgence of those symptoms, often with greater intensity during withdrawal.
• Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Is Common: PAWS includes persistent mental health symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive challenges that may last for months or even years after the acute withdrawal phase ends.
• Coping Strategies Are Essential During Withdrawal: It is vital to discover methods to manage mental health symptoms during withdrawal, such as seeking professional assistance, joining support groups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and employing stress reduction techniques to minimize the risk of relapse.

At WhiteSands Treatment in Florida, we offer comprehensive drug detox that goes beyond treating the physical side of addiction. Our medical detox programs are designed to offer 24/7 support, counseling, and medication management to tackle the psychological effects of drug withdrawal.

We ensure a safe and comfortable setting with private rooms and upscale amenities that alleviate many people’s emotional and psychological challenges during detox. Patients can also easily transition into one of our inpatient or outpatient rehab programs to continue their path to lasting recovery.

If you are facing mental health struggles during drug withdrawal, contact WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877-855-3470 to start the admissions process as soon as possible.

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Resources

• BrainFacts.org – What causes drug withdrawal?
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Withdrawal Syndromes
• The Journal for Nurse Practitioners – Identification and Evidence-Based Treatment of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
• VeryWellMind – How to Deal with Withdrawal Symptoms

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.