The experiences associated with substance use and withdrawal are usually unpleasant. If you develop a physical and emotional dependency on substances, you are likely to have withdrawal when the substances are cut back or removed. However, withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person.
You also need to consider other factors, depending on the type of substance used and how long the substance has been in use. The severity of the withdrawal, and the symptoms associated with the substances, can sometimes seem difficult to predict and handle alone.
Common Addictive Substances
Many substances in the world can cause withdrawal. Seven common addictive substances include alcohol, cocaine, meth, heroin, prescription drugs, ecstasy, and other hallucinogens. These substances require a professional detox before recovery treatment can continue.
If you are recovering from a co-occurring health disorder or substance abuse, you will have withdrawal symptoms when the addictive substance is eliminated or cut back. It is vital to understand what to expect before undergoing the detox process to get insight into the process of withdrawal.
Alcohol: Alcohol produces withdrawal symptoms that include severe dehydration and seizures, and can lead to sweats, hallucinations, tremors, and comas. The abuse of alcohol can have serious medical consequences. Often, struggles with an alcohol addiction can cause increased heart rates, respiratory problems, and blood pressure concerns.
Cocaine: Cocaine is a substance that affects the central nervous system and is considered a stimulant. The substance is illegal and abused in both powder and rock form. It is a highly addictive substance that is associated with withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and fatigue.
Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens are substances that cause alterations in vision and the other senses. They are commonly found in plants or mushrooms but can also be synthesized in a lab. The withdrawal symptoms from hallucinogens are not always visual or physical. Many psychological withdrawal symptoms may occur, including fatigue, irritability, or cravings.
Prescription Medication and Depressants: Prescription painkillers and heroin both fall under the class of opiates, while depressants fall under sedatives or tranquilizers. Often these prescription drugs come in the form of stimulants or depressants and can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Some symptoms may be worse than others, depending on the type of substance. You may notice symptoms of withdrawals that include tremors, dizziness, seizures, anxiety, restlessness, sweating, hypertension, muscle twitching, increased heart rate, and more.
Recovery and Withdrawals
The fear of substance withdrawal is very common and incredibly valid. It is no secret that there will be physical and psychological cravings during detox. However, the withdrawal process can be managed, and the comfort level increased with help from a professional in a controlled environment. In choosing to get help through a professional detox facility, you will notice a tremendous difference and improve your chances of success for recovery.
Many symptoms of withdrawal that range from mild to severe can happen during the detox process. However, when these withdrawal symptoms present themselves, a medical professional knows how to handle them correctly. Some of the physical withdrawal symptoms that are common during the detox phase include loss of appetite, headaches, digestion problems, sweating, fatigue, and rapid heart palpitations. It is also common to experience changes in mental health like irritability, sadness, confusion, unfocused, disorientation, and behavioral changes.
Levels of Withdrawals
The levels of withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the substance you may be detoxing from. If you experience depression or suicidal tendencies, odds are you will require professional help during this phase of your recovery. Medical detox is even more necessary when these situations occur. Withdrawal symptoms are not all the same during detox.
There can be other factors, including situations of life circumstances and behavioral changes, that can make the withdrawal symptoms unpredictable through detoxing. Even if you are inclined to achieve a successful recovery, you may find better outcome results with a professional treatment facility rather than attempting to quit on your own.
Supervised Detox
A medically supervised detox allows an individual to be monitored in a safe and comfortable environment through the entire withdrawal process. If you or your loved one are looking for a way to start a new, healthy life and are willing to accept the help of an addiction specialist, you are on the right path.
When you look to beat the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, you may realize that there is more to just the addiction than the withdrawal. Learn how to get to the bottom of addiction and how you can prevent it in the future.
More than likely, you are going to experience physical and psychological withdrawal when detoxing from any substance. Treating both the physical and psychological components of addiction can lead you to a healthier lifestyle. Beating your mental and physical withdrawal symptoms requires strength and bravery, which you have already shown by getting this far. You deserve to find purpose and determination in your life, and that is worth opening the door to yourself. You are not alone, and there is a way for you to live happily without substances. Detox does not have to be scary. At Detox Center of Colorado, you can learn more about withdrawal symptoms and substance use while you gain the guidance and support of those who care about you. Remember that help is always available. Reach out to us today, and let us help you beat your physical and mental withdrawal in a safe and healthy environment by calling us at (303) 952-5035.
