The cold sweats, the runny nose—all of it is enough to make you wonder, are these the signs of withdrawal? Anytime you stop using a drug or substance, there’s a chance you will experience withdrawals. Your body aches, your mind is foggy, and you’re feeling off enough to know that something is going on. So what do you need to know, now and in the future?
How Does Withdrawal Work?
Your mind works to keep your body in a state of homeostasis, which is a way of keeping all of your body systems stable and functioning at normal levels.
Using substances can interfere with that stability. When you use that substance for an extended period of time, your body becomes dependent on it. Your body will also build up a tolerance, which is why it takes more of that same substance to get the same effect you were experiencing before.
When you stop taking that substance, your body and mind get thrown out of balance, and they have to compensate for the change. That’s when withdrawal symptoms will start.
Common substances that cause signs of withdrawal include:
- Alcohol
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Opioids
- Sedatives
- Stimulants
What Are the Signs of Withdrawal?
The exact symptoms that arise will depend on what substance you’ve stopped using. However, here is a list of some common symptoms experienced by those detoxing.
Mental signs
- Anxiety
- Delirium
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Restlessness
Physical signs
- Appetite changes
- Body aches
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Trouble sleeping
- Vomiting
When Do The Signs of Withdrawal Start and End?
Not all withdrawal timelines are created equal. They will vary depending on what drug you were using. Some symptoms can start only a few hours after your last dose, while others take a few days to manifest.
For opioids, withdrawals can start a few hours after the last dose. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin 12 hours after your last drink. Stimulant withdrawal symptoms begin within a day.
On top of that, detox is different for everyone. Your timeline may differ depending on your physical health, how severe your dependence was, and other lifestyle factors. Also, the amount of time it takes to get through withdrawal varies from person to person.
Harsher substances like opioids can cause withdrawals that last up to three weeks. Substances that your body burns through more quickly, like stimulants, on the other hand, might only last five days.
Acute withdrawal, also just called withdrawal, isn’t the only type of detox you can experience. There’s also something called protracted withdrawal, which happens when symptoms last longer than the expected timeline. This longer-lasting detox more frequently becomes a problem with chronic substance use and harsher drugs.
How to Improve Withdrawal Symptoms
The safest way to address withdrawal symptoms is through medical supervision. Promises Behavioral Health created our addiction treatment program to assist you in overcoming signs of withdrawal. We’ve helped patients go through many detoxes at our locations throughout the country. So we know what to expect each step of the way.
Emotional support can make a huge difference. Going through withdrawal is tough, and knowing you don’t have to go through it alone can ease part of the burden. Being supported by people who know how to talk about addiction can also help reduce any shame or guilt you might be feeling.
Other actions you can take include making sure you have enough electrolytes, engaging in moderate exercise, and selecting good nutritious options. Knowing what to expect with withdrawal makes a massive difference in how you recover.
Connect with us today at 844.875.5609 to learn more about our programs and how we can help restore you to health.