Drug Withdrawals 101

Familiarizing Yourself with Drug Withdrawal

Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol

People drink for many different reasons – to celebrate, socialize, relax, and let loose. Alcohol is highly addictive – and it is legal. In the United States, you must only be twenty- one years of age to purchase and consume alcohol. Because something is legal, does not make it ok.

NIAAA (The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) is conducting research to find answers to why alcohol has such a grip on people – now and throughout history. Remember Prohibition? Importation, production, sale, and transportation of alcohol was strictly banned by the Constitution from 1920-1933.

Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol include insomnia, sweating, shaky hands, anxiety, headache, and vomiting. These symptoms may appear six to twelve hours after the individual takes their last sip of alcohol. Twelve to fourteen hours after the last drink people may experience hallucinations of the visual or auditory variety. Some people experience DT’s when they quit drinking. Delirium Tremens can pop up between forty-eight and seventy-two hours after the last drink.

It is important to mention that seizures are common among people who attempt to stop drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol are, indeed, rough to experience. But once you do – you will feel so much better. Even though it may not seem like it while you are enduring it.

Drug Withdrawals

Heroin withdrawal may last about a week; however, the symptoms are so intense that they are the reason many people return to using drugs.

• Relapse
• Cravings
• Agitationdepressants
• Depression
• Muscle spasms
• Nervousness
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Sweating
• Shaking

Cocaine. Drug withdrawals vary by substance, and some drugs are harder to withdrawal from than others. Cocaine withdrawal may not be as tough as heroin withdrawal but it presents its own sets of challenges. Especially since cocaine detox brings with it some serious psychological side effects.

• Cravings
• Inability to concentrate
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Vivid nightmares
• Inability to become sexually aroused
• Slowed thinking
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Chills/tremors/muscle aches/ and/or nerve pain
• Suicidal thoughts
• Increased appetite
• Restlessness
• Slowed activity

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be deadly if the individual stops taking it “cold turkey.” Tapering off is suggested. Physicians are hesitant to prescribe benzos over a long period of time because of the high risk of addiction.

• Hallucinations
• Sweating
• Panic attacks
• Headaches
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Insomnia

Crystal Meth, like benzo’s, produce more of a psychological and emotional withdrawal.

• Fatigue
• Excessive sleepiness
• Lethargy
• Increased appetite
• The jitters
• Dry mouth

Marijuana may seem harmless to some, but chronic users sometimes need more help to quit (they cannot do it on their own). Those pot smokers who have other co-occurring addictions, such as to benzos or alcohol, may have an even harder time because it will exacerbate the situation.

• Insomnia
• Stomach pains
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Mood changes
• Depression

Tapering off the pot is a supreme idea to doing so cold-turkey, this way, the brain can get used to smaller amounts of THC. For headaches or muscle pains, ibuprofen or paracetamol should do the trick. Nausea and vomiting can be eased with promethazine or metoclopramide. If you have tried, unsuccessfully, to quit any type of substance, you should look into medical detox – it may be super beneficial.

If you have further questions about drug withdrawals or how long does drug withdrawal last, call Better Addiction Center at (800) 429-7690. We are ready to help you on this most personal and trying journey.