Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms During Treatment
Withdrawal can be described by two typical scenarios that occur when someone is using drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can happen when a person stops taking drugs or alcohol and experiences different levels of withdrawal symptoms because of a lack of drug or alcohol use. Withdrawal can also happen when a person continues to take a drug or substance in order to avoid drug withdrawal symptoms.
The first step in understanding withdrawal, is to understand how drugs and alcohol affect the brain. When you start using a drug or alcohol, the chemical signals in the brain start to respond to those signals, changing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Sometimes the brain will end up with more or less of certain chemicals. When you suddenly stop taking a drug, your body goes into a sort of “shock” causing the symptoms of withdrawal to occur.
Over time your body gets used to the substances that we put in our body, and if it is taken regularly, our body becomes dependent upon it to feel “normal.” In a sense, the levels in our body and brain begin to need the substance to function. This can be described as substance abuse or addiction. When dependence of a drug occurs, the body starts to have intense cravings, often causing addiction and abuse along with other symptoms to occur. When you stop taking a particular drug, your body will feel the symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal from a drug can cause health problems to happen, and many unfavorable symptoms.
If you need help for a substance abuse problem or if you are looking for a treatment or rehab center for your recovery, contact Inland Detox for more information. We are happy to discuss our treatment and care for addiction withdrawal or set up an appointment for you to view our center.
Substance Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawing from any substance can cause multiple symptoms to occur that may look a little different in how it affects your body. The withdrawal symptoms that you experience may be mild to severe depending on the drug or alcohol you are using, levels of how much you are taking and your overall health. Symptoms can result in both mental and physical health problems.
Drug Withdrawal
Withdrawals from a drug will have different symptoms based upon what drug has been taken. The levels and severity of use will also determine the extent of withdrawal. Below are common symptoms that occur from specific drug use:
- Cocaine symptoms: feeling tired, restless, or depressed
- Benzodiazepine symptoms: trouble sleeping and anxiety
- Opioid or heroin symptoms: sweating, muscle aches or goosebumps
Opioid Withdrawal
An opioid substance withdrawal occurs when you stop taking opioids after your body becomes dependent on them. Opioids become attached to nerve cells in the brain called receptors that block pain sensations and release a substance called dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel good. When substance use is decreased, the levels of dopamine are disrupted. When these levels change, it leads to symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
Symptoms from an opioid substance withdrawal can happen fairly quickly after taking opioids, usually within 12 hours of the last dose. What your symptoms feel like will depend on how long you have been using opioids and what type of opioid you are taking. It’s best to go to a medical center or rehab, such as Inland Detox that specializes in addiction withdrawal treatment and rehab. Staff will constantly ensure you are being monitored for safety and comfort.
Alcohol Abuse Withdrawal
Alcohol abuse withdrawal is one of the most dangerous substances to withdrawal from. It can be extremely harmful, and potentially life-threatening if it is not monitored closely by the support of trained professionals.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and lead to symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating
- Tremors
In severe situations of alcohol withdrawal, you may experience symptoms that include delirium tremens (DTs). Symptoms doctors or an MD associate with DTs include:
- Hallucinations
- High body temperature
- Illusions
- Paranoia
- Seizures
If you are experiencing any of these health symptoms, it is important to reach out to a doctor or MD for help right away.
How Long does Withdrawal Last?
The amount of time that a withdrawal lasts depends on the specific substance that you are taking. For example, someone going through alcohol withdrawal can experience withdrawal symptoms anywhere from 6-72 hours after their last drink. Someone who uses a drug may not suffer from withdrawal symptoms for the same time period.
Here is a baseline for how long withdrawal symptoms may last depending on the drug or alcohol used:
- Cocaine withdrawal symptoms: may last for months
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms: may last for weeks
- Opioid or heroin withdrawal symptoms: depending on the opioid, it can last somewhere from four to 20 days may last for anywhere from four to 20 days, Opioids like Percocet that are short-acting may cause withdrawal that lasts from four to 10 days. Opioids that are longer-acting like methadone, may cause drug withdrawal that lasts longer, up to almost three weeks
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms: may last for weeks or months
Dependence Versus Withdrawal
The difference between dependence and addiction withdrawal will vary depending on who you are asking. When someone uses the term dependence it is usually referring to a physical versus mental dependence on a particular substance. It is characterized by the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal.
For example, a doctor, MD or psychologist may prescribe an antidepressant substance to treat depression. You may need this drug, and it is a valid prescription drug. Although it is possible to be dependent upon a drug and not suffer addiction, it usually indicates a substance problem and that addiction is not too far off. The levels of tolerance will be different for everyone.
How to Prevent Symptoms of Withdrawal
The cravings and side effects that are associated with withdrawal can be so intense that a person cannot function properly. The first step is to seek a medical detox facility where your withdrawal symptoms can be managed and monitored by a facility or rehab with medical staff.
Inland Detox is a facility and rehab in California, with multiple levels of care that can help treat the symptoms associated with withdrawal. Our medical detox program is designed to guide you through the grips of substance abuse from drugs or alcohol, helping you move into recovery.
Medications For Detox
A certain substance or medication can be taken to treat a drug detox in hopes to reduce the symptoms that result from detox. Below are the typical medications that are taken to treat detox from a substance.
- Alcohol: benzodiazepines are the standard among drugs used for alcohol withdrawal
- Cocaine and stimulants: there is no standard detox medication for this type of withdrawal
- Opioid and heroin: methadone, buprenorphine, and clonidine are commonly used drugs for opiate withdrawal and heroin withdrawal
- Benzodiazepine: long-acting benzodiazepines are commonly used
Treating Withdrawal
Treatment for withdrawal involves support, care from addiction specialists and potentially medication that can ease the side effects and complications that occur during a withdrawal. In rare circumstances, you can quickly stop using certain substances such as caffeine or other mild medications and manage the symptoms without treatment. More often than not, treatment and care at an addiction treatment center will offer the best outcomes for your withdrawal.
If you would like more information on the treatment and addiction care options at Inland Detox please contact one of our staff members. Our treatment program for withdrawal is one of the best in the country, and we truly care about your well-being.
Addiction Treatment at Inland Detox
Located in beautiful Temecula, California, Inland Detox is a drug and alcohol detox treatment and rehab center that treats the symptoms that occur when you suffer from substance abuse. Our goal for every client is the same, and that is to help them achieve recovery at our treatment center. We understand how difficult it can be to suffer from abuse from any substance, and we are here to help care for you during this difficult time.
When you are at Inland Detox, it feels like you are “home” because you have constant support and help from our medical staff. We understand the difficulties that addiction to drugs causes, specifically with your health.
We treat all different types of addictions and substance abuse including alcohol, opioids, heroin, benzodiazepines and multiple other drugs that are typical to cause addiction. Our medical detox program helps our clients go through addiction withdrawals in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Our caring staff support you the entire time you are at our addiction rehab, and provide you all the necessary tools to get through your detox and recovery. The ultimate goal during your treatment and recovery is to remain sober, and reduce the chances of relapse. Although relapse can be common, we work hard to help and guide you through those times where the cravings are the most difficult, helping you to achieve recovery.
Types of Treatment Used
Our staff and team of addiction rehab specialists will make sure that you are medically reviewed before you are admitted to our treatment and rehab center. We determine the best form of addiction treatment care and help for your specific needs to support and guide you through your recovery.
Our treatment programs, specifically for withdrawal, offer full immersion in one’s pursuit of recovery. Residential treatment rehabs remove people from their triggers and enable them to work through the withdrawal and urges that come with early sobriety.
Some typical forms of treatment and care that we use to address the symptoms of addiction include:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Family counseling
- Addiction education
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Participation in local AA and NA meetings
- Follow-up and aftercare services
- Coping skills training
- Nutrition
- Life skills education
- Medical support
- Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation training
For more information on our treatment programs, contact our team right away. It is never too late to work on your addiction recovery.