Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal Symptoms:
Withdrawal symptoms are common for people who develop a dependency on alcohol, prescription drugs, or addictive substances. Many substances that are considered mood or mind-altering substances can produce withdrawal symptoms. People that develop substance use disorders are more likely to develop withdrawal symptoms when they decide to stop using an addictive substance.
Most people who experience withdrawal symptoms are not prepared for the uncomfortable symptoms that emerge once they reduce their usage or abruptly stop using an addictive substance. When you are prescribed some prescription medication there may be a warning label that alerts the individual that if increased use or higher doses of the drug is ingested then the individual could experience significant physical dependency or withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.
Withdrawal symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on many factors. Sometimes the drug itself is highly addictive and if that is the case it will not take long to become dependent on the addictive substance. Some drugs take time to build up in the body to turn into a dependency. Most addictive substances have the potential to create dependency and withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.
What is a withdrawal symptom?
Withdrawal symptoms are physical and psychological symptoms that emerge when a person reduces or stops using an addictive drug. Mild withdrawal symptoms like a headache or fever may be mistaken as another illness or medical condition. Most people are not prepared to identify, or they may have a difficult time knowing when the symptoms emerge.
The uncomfortable or uneasy feeling associated with withdrawal symptoms is not always easy to identify, however, if the person notices an intense craving or intense desire to relieve the symptoms by resuming or continuing to put more of the addictive substance into their body this is a good sign a problem has already developed.
Another sign that a drug problem is in motion is when the individual begins to obsess or ruminate about using the substance especially if you have recently stopped taking the drug into the system. This is a more obvious sign of dependency, and withdrawal symptoms are emerging. However, this is not so easy to identify at times as it’s a cognitive process that is centered in the mind of the individual.
Withdrawal is a set or group of symptoms that someone with a dependency or addiction experiences when they discontinue their use of an addictive drug. They include negative emotions, stress, anxiety, and sometimes depression. Common physical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, headaches, and cramping.
The more complicated or severe physical withdrawal symptoms are dangerous. They can include delirium, hallucinations, delusions, seizures, and various body temperature issues. Increased pulse rates are common along with blood pressure problems.
What To Do If You Experience Severe Medical Withdrawal Symptoms:
If you are developing severe medical withdrawal symptoms, please seek immediate assistance in an emergency room or hospital setting. This means you have missed all earlier warning signs indicating that you are in the withdrawal syndrome. Severe medical withdrawal symptoms emerge after the mild symptoms of the withdrawal process subside.
To avoid experiencing complicated and severe physical symptoms an individual should schedule to enter a medical detox center to experience the detoxification process. It is always safer to enter a medical detox program if you are planning on stopping your use of any addictive substance.
Alcohol Withdrawal:
Most alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin within 8 hours after the last drink of alcohol, but in some cases, they can occur days later depending on the severity of the alcohol addiction. The alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually peak in 24 to 72 hours and in more severe cases can last for weeks.
Most Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
| anxiety | nervousness | depression |
| fatigue | irritability | jumpiness |
| shakiness | mood swings | nightmares |
| Inability to think clearly | clammy skin | enlarged (dilated) pupils |
| headache | insomnia | loss of appetite |
| nausea | vomiting | rapid heart rate |
| sweating | Tremors of hands or body parts | delirium tremens |
| agitation | fever | hallucinations |
| seizures | severe confusion | pallor |
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms:
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms have been viewed as a relatively mild detox process. In some cases, severe stimulant withdrawal can occur with someone that has a history of using cocaine for a longer duration. It all depends on the damage created in the brain from repeated cocaine usage.
For some people that have developed a severe cocaine use disorder the craving or intense desire to return to cocaine is often associated with an attempt to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Most Common Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
| Depression | Tiredness |
| Increased appetite | Insomnia |
| Vivid unpleasant dreams | Slowed thinking |
| Slowed movement | Restlessness |
| Irritability | Agitation |
| Excessive Sleepiness | Loss of sense of smell |
| nosebleeds | nasal damage |
| infection | poor nutrition |
| weight loss from decreased appetite | severe depression for some people |
| Intense cravings | Paranoid thoughts or angry feelings |
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) Withdrawal Symptoms:
This drug should be monitored closely when discontinued especially after a dependency has developed as the drug does create moderate to severe acute withdrawal symptoms. If alcohol is used along with the drug the risk associated with adverse reactions is elevated.
Most Common GBH Withdrawal Symptoms
| Insomnia | Anxiety |
| Tremors | Sweating |
| Increased heart rate | Blood pressure problems |
| Psychosis | GHB with Alcohol displays Nausea |
| GHB with Alcohol Breathing issues | GHB with Alcohol increased depressant effects |
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms:
This illicit drug has a high potential for developing dependency & addiction along with a high risk of overdose with continued use. An overdose of heroin can lead to fatal respiratory depression. An individual who uses the drug intravenous has been known to develop infection complications.
If you have become dependent on the drug or developed an addiction it’s important to seek medical detoxification services to manage the heroin withdrawal symptoms. People who develop a Heroin Use Disorder often require a medical detox to deal with their withdrawal symptoms. For Detox Now™ call us at our 24-hour admission line at 1-888-857-8857.
Most Common Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
| Restlessness | Muscle pains |
| Bone Pains | Insomnia |
| Diarrhea | Vomiting |
| Cold flashes | Goosebumps |
Inhalants Withdrawal Symptoms:
The use of inhalants is a problem across the United States and is one of the easiest types of substances for people to access to experience euphoric states. They include different kinds of solvents, aerosols, gases, spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids.
There are volatile solvents of inhalants that are normally found in household, industrial and medical products. They include chemicals like paint thinners, degreasers, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, lighter fluids, cans of air used for blowing dust from electronic devices, and freon. The category of Inhalant substances is vast and Inhalants do cause withdrawal symptoms.
Most Common Types of Inhalant Withdrawal Symptoms
| Nausea | Loss of appetite |
| Sweating | Tics |
| Problems sleeping | Mood changes |
| Easily Agitated | Low or high blood Pressure |
| Cravings | Frustrated feelings |
| Difficulty Concentrating | Disturbing Dreams |
| Rare “Fine Tremors” | Irritability |
| Anxiety | Insomnia |
| Tingling Sensations Reported | Seizures & Muscle Cramps (Rarely Reported) |
| Weakness | Weight loss |
| Inattentive Behavior | Depression |
Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms:
While Ketamine is a drug that is used in some cases for health-related purposes an individual can become addicted to the substance. The drug is misused for its dissociative properties and some people seek to use the drug to seek a hallucinogen experience.
The drug is often used in combination with other drugs, but some of the known Ketamine withdrawal symptoms are listed below. As more people are treated for Ketamine use disorders ongoing research is focusing on Ketamine withdrawal symptoms.
Most Common Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms Reported
| Depression | Anxiety |
| Cravings | Hopelessness Feelings |
| Irritability | Memory Impairment |
| Slowed Reaction Time | Social withdrawal |
| Sleep disturbances | Irregular heart rate or blood pressure |
| Rapid breathing | Agitation |
| Insomnia | Nightmares |
| Fatigue | Mood Swings |
| Nausea | Shakes (Rarely) |
| Sweating | Elevated body temperature |
Marijuana (Cannabis) Withdrawal Symptoms:
Many people mistakenly believe that Cannabis Use Disorders do not exhibit symptoms of withdrawal, but this is far from reality. Some people exhibit signs of withdrawal symptoms as far out as 42 days after a person has last used cannabis-related substances.
Ongoing research is identifying that people with Severe Cannabis Use Disorders exhibit the most withdrawal symptoms than less severe forms of Cannabis Use Disorders. Research has indicated that women report stronger nausea and stomach pain than men during the withdrawal process.
Most Common Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms
| Irritability | Trouble sleeping |
| Decreased appetite | Anxious feelings |
| Anxiety | Feelings of fear |
| Some dissociation | Restlessness |
| Mood Swings | Poor appetite |
| Disturbed sleep | Nightmares or vivid dreams |
| Gastrointestinal upsets | Night sweats |
| Tremor (Severe Cannabis Use Only) | Occasional Psychiatric Disturbances |
| Cannabis craving | Nausea |
| Stomach pain | Nervousness |
| Anger | Aggression |
| Depressed mood | Chills (Less Common) |
| Headaches | Physical tension |
| Sweating | Inability to Concentrate |
MDMA (Ecstasy) Withdrawal Symptoms:
This is a synthetic drug that was originally known as a designer drug, but later became known as a psychoactive drug that exhibits similar qualities to stimulants or amphetamine-type of drugs. Over the years it has been used for its hallucinogen properties.
The drug does produce some withdrawal symptoms for people that have developed severe MDMA (Ecstasy) Use Disorders. More commonly referred to as a stimulant use disorder.
Common MDMA (Ecstasy) Withdrawal Symptoms
| Fatigue | Loss of appetite |
| Depression | Trouble concentrating |
| Delayed perceptual illusions | Anxiety |
| Irritability | Impulsiveness |
| Aggression | Sleep problems |
| Memory problems | Decreased appetite |
| Difficulty Concentrating | Lack of motivation |
*Note: Some of these withdrawal symptoms are more severe when MDMA is combined with drugs like marijuana or other stimulant-related drugs.
Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms:
This drug is an extremely powerful addictive substance related to amphetamines or stimulant-related families of drugs. While methamphetamine drugs are highly addictive and affect the central nervous system there are withdrawal symptoms associated with severe stimulant use disorders.
Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms begin within 24 hours of the last use of stimulants and last for 3-5 days. Depression, low energy, and overall tired feelings as well as problems with sleep can last up to two weeks after the last use.
Some people who use methamphetamines consume large amounts of the stimulants and have been known to develop psychotic symptoms or other psychiatric conditions post-medical detox and into drug and alcohol treatment services. More extreme situations could involve paranoia, disordered thoughts, and hallucinations.
Most Common Methamphetamine Withdrawal Symptoms
| Depression | Anxiety |
| Tiredness | Agitation |
| Irritability | Increased sleeping |
| Increased appetite | Muscle aches |
| Paranoia | Overwhelming Fears or Regret |
| Hallucinations | Thought Disorders (Rarely) |
| Decreased Energy | Intense Dreams or Nightmares |
| Distressed thoughts | Sweating |
Prescription Opioids & Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms:
This category of drugs makes up a large area of drugs and opioid types of substances have been known to be high-risk substances for a potential overdose if an opioid use disorder is developed. Opioid withdrawal symptoms can present similar to flu-like symptoms.
These drugs are normally prescribed for pain relief and others for analgesic purposes. The potential for developing a withdrawal symptom when discontinued is higher than for most drugs. Drugs like Fentanyl are 100 times more potent than morphine and do cause frequent overdoses.
People who are using short-acting opioids may notice opioid withdrawal symptoms 8-24 hours after their last use and this can last up to 4-10 days. Medical detox is recommended for people who are addicted to short-acting opioid substances.
If you are addicted to a long-acting opioid like methadone, then you can expect withdrawal symptoms to begin around 12-48 hours after the last use. Symptoms of withdrawal can be present for 10-20 days and medical detox is indicated for all long-acting opioid drugs.
Most Common Opioid & Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
| Restlessness | Anxiety |
| Muscle pain | Bone pain |
| Insomnia | Diarrhea |
| Vomiting | Cold flashes |
| Goosebumps | Muscle tremors |
| Leg Movements | Cravings |
| Ruminating Thought to Seek out Substance | Low energy |
| Sleep disturbances | Nightmares |
| Uneasy feelings | Agitation |
| Nausea | Hot flashes |
| Perspiration | Muscle cramps |
| Runny nose | Watery eyes |
| General sick feelings uneasy types of feelings | Stomach cramps |
| Muscle spasms | Muscle twitching |
| Heart pounding (Usually Mistaken for Anxiety) | Muscular tension |
| Yawning | Difficulty Sleeping |
Prescription Sedatives (Tranquilizers, Depressants) Withdrawal Symptoms:
This is another wide area of prescription drugs that people become addicted to and experience withdrawal symptoms after they develop a dependency or sedative use disorder. The sedative drugs or medications typically slow brain activity and are commonly prescribed for treating anxiety or sleep-related problems. Some of these drugs are known to be highly addictive substances.
The most common addictive substances in this category are sedatives, benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, depressant drugs, sedative-hypnotics & anxiolytics. There are short-acting benzodiazepines like oxazepam, alprazolam, and temazepam the withdrawal process can begin 1-2-days after the last dose has been ingested. The duration of withdrawal symptoms can last 2-4 weeks or longer.
Common Sedative Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
| Shakiness | Overactive reflexes |
| Anxiety | Increased heart rate |
| Insomnia | blood pressure problems |
| Agitation | Fevers or rise in temperature |
| Excessive Sweating | Hallucinations |
| Severe cravings | Seizures |
| Sleep disturbance | Irritability |
| Increased tension | Panic attacks |
| Hand tremor | Difficulty in concentration |
| Nausea | weight loss |
| Headache | muscular pain |
| Muscle stiffness | Seizures |
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