Withdrawal
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Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal Symptoms.  With continuous drug
abuse, the addict begins to crave the sense of euphoria that taking the drugs has produced. Due to the fact
that this pleasant feeling is so overwhelming, the addict is motivated to continue taking drugs.
When this happens, the brain, in effect, has been conditioned to “tell” the addict that continued drug abuse
is the fastest and the most effective way for the addict to “feel good.”
When an addict abruptly stops taking the drugs to which he or she is addicted, the brain triggers “messages”
that are sent to the addict, essentially informing him or her that something is terribly wrong and needs to be
corrected.
The “messages” that the brain sends to the addict consist of a number uncomfortable, painful, and dangerous
drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can possibly lead to death if the proper treatment is not immediately
undertaken.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms, The Brain and Tolerance
With regular drug abuse the brain gradually adapts to the drugs so that normal functioning is possible. Keep in
mind that this statement also applies to alcohol, since alcohol is a drug.
When
an addict who has exhibited a pattern of continuous and excessive abuse, however, suddenly stops taking drugs,
he or she usually suffers from symptoms of withdrawal that can be so prolonged that they can take the body
days or weeks before it returns to "normal."
Essentially, then, symptoms of withdrawal are responses by the brain and by the body to the lack of the drug or
drugs to which they had become adapted.
This not only explains how physical tolerance develops but it also explains why increasingly more of the
particular drug is needed to get the same "buzz" or "high" with regular use.
Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and include both behavioral and
psychological components. The major factors that influence the severity of symptoms of withdrawal include the
following:
- How long the drug was abused (has the abuse lasted years or is it fairly recent?)
- The type of drug that was abused (e.g., withdrawals from methadone are usually more painful and more severe
that withdrawals from heroin).
- The quality or “purity” of the drug (has the drug been “cut” with rat poison or cleanser or is it in its
“pure” form).
- How strong the craving is for the drug (for instance, is the craving relatively mild or is it
intense?)
- The amount of the drug that was abused (for instance, did the heroin abuser take 2 bags or 6 bags for his
or her “high”?)
- The health of the individual (is the person generally in good health or sickly?)
- The frequency that the drug has been abused (for example, did the person abuse the drug every 4 hours,
every 2 days, once per week, etc).
| Symptoms of Withdrawal. Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are usually
uncomfortable and can be quite painful. In fact, it is these symptoms of withdrawal that prevent
most addicts from stopping their drug abuse. And it is these symptoms of withdrawal that provide a
basic motivation for the addict to constantly think in terms of getting his or her next drug
"fix." |
An Analysis of Twenty-Five “Common” Drugs
 An
analysis was done of the withdrawal symptoms of 25 well-known drugs (that also included alcohol). Included in
this list were the following drugs:
- Alcohol
- Ambient
- Ativan
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Crack
- Darvocet
- Demerol
- Dexedrine
| Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms. When person is addicted, he or she no longer
takes alcohol or drugs to have fun or to get high. Rather, the addicted person needs the alcohol or
the drugs in order to function on a daily basis. And keep in mind that functioning on a daily basis
almost always means avoiding the drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms that usually take place when
the addict stops taking his or her drugs. |
- Dilaudid
- Ecstasy
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Lortab
- Marijuana
- Meth
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Opium
- Oxycontin
- Percocet
- Ritalin
- Ultram
- Vicodin
- Xanax
| Based on your answers to the health care provider's questions and upon the physical
exam, it may be concluded that you are indeed, addicted to alcohol, drugs, or both. At this point,
your health care professional will discuss your treatment options. Keep in mind that one of the key
factors in your addiction treatment will be managing the withdrawal symptoms that you will
experience when you stop drinking or stop taking drugs. |
Common Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
 The most
occurring drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms in order of most occurring to lease occurring concerning the
above "common" drugs were the following:
- Intense craving
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Yawning
- Muscle pain
- Tremors
- Disturbed sleep
| Psychological addiction occurs when the cravings for a drug are emotional or
psychological. Individuals who are psychologically addicted usually feel overcome by the desire to
have the drug in question. These feelings are so powerful that in many instances psychologically
and physically addicted individuals will do almost anything for their next "fix" including
stealing, lying, and in some instances, killing. And keep in mind that the next "fix" is usually
done in order to avoid the drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms that will more likely than not
materialize if the person does not get his or her "drug." |
Withdrawal: Conclusion
 Based on the above, it is clear to see that getting
"off" of most drugs, including alcohol, leads to terribly uncomfortable, painful, and disgusting withdrawal
symptoms.
As a consequence, breaking free from one's addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is an extremely difficult
process.
In fact, since most drug addicts relapse within six months of attaining abstinence, it is highly advisable that
all addicts seek and receive comprehensive, professional, and long-term treatment (including long-term follow-up
counseling) for their addition.
Due to the fact that drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be hazardous, dangerous, and in some instances,
fatal, the first concern when experiencing drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms should be who the addict should
contact about the withdrawals he or she is experiencing.
In other words, when addicts are suffering from symptoms of withdrawal, they should always see their doctor or
healthcare provider immediately so that he or she can assess the severity of the addict’s situation and suggest the
best option for treatment.
| The Reality of Withdrawal Symptoms. Let's keep things based in reality. Perhaps the
main reason why drug and alcohol addicts continue to take their drug of choice is to avoid the
terribly painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that will most likely take place when the
addict stops taking his or her drug of choice. To get an understanding of what these withdrawal
symptoms are like, imagine having the worst case of flu you have ever had multiplied by ten. Though
not all addicts suffer from drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms this severe, many do. And in the
worst case scenario, a person's withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that he or she can die. |
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