Withdrawal from alcohol can be extremely painful and disruptive for the individual experiencing it, as well as their loved ones.
If you are someone who drinks alcohol regularly, then you are most likely aware of how harmful this type of substance can be if consumed in excess. Even so, many people continue to drink alcohol every day because they believe that it has no negative effects whatsoever on their minds and bodies. However, it’s crucial to explore more about online iop treatments to address any underlying issues related to alcohol consumption.
Interestingly, there are specialized facilities out there that provide individuals that have an addiction to alcohol with an opportunity to get clean and sober at the same time.
Rehab centers like New Waters Recovery specifically focus on helping folks struggling with withdrawal symptoms after deciding to fight your addiction. You can learn more about why these centers are best when it comes to controlling withdrawal symptoms by reading further below.
IMAGE: PEXELS
What Is Withdrawal?
Withdrawal is the vast set of physical symptoms that can result from the sudden stoppage or drastic decrease in the dose of an addictive substance like drugs or alcohol.
It’s a physiological response to your brain’s ability to adapt to new or changing experiences. Regular use of drugs or alcohol actually rewires the circuits in your brain to depend on the substance and when it stops coming, your body can’t cope.
Withdrawal is an intense experience, especially for those who have experienced prolonged addiction. Addiction doesn’t develop overnight, and the brain can’t rewire itself back to normal overnight either.
Simply put, withdrawal is your body’s fight to return to normal working order.
Symptoms Of Withdrawal
The severity and intensity of withdrawal depend on several factors including the type of addiction you’re fighting, how long you’ve struggled with your addiction, and your general overall health.
The symptoms will vary depending on the substance(s) involved but can include:
- Dilated pupils
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Trembling and tremors
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Depression
- Hunger of loss of appetite
- Muscle pain or aches
- Irritability and agitation
- Paranoia
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
Specific Types Of Drug Withdrawal
Heroin
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal can include pain in the muscles and bones, insomnia, restlessness, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and hot/cold flashes accompanied by goosebumps
Alcohol
The sudden stop of alcohol consumption can be followed by feelings of anxiety or nervousness, brain fog, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, depression, a rapid heart rate, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, tremors, clammy skin, agitation, hallucinations, and seizures.
Cocaine
Cocaine withdrawal can give you feelings of depression, an increased appetite, delayed thought processes or movements, feeling restless, and a sense of extreme fatigue.
Marijuana
Common to marijuana withdrawal are feelings of anxiety or nervousness, insomnia, a decrease in appetite, and irritability.
Why Substance Abuse Detox Is Important For Withdrawal
Drug and alcohol detox is one path you can take to safely withdraw from substances. A controlled detox can reduce your risks of complications. Trying the cold turkey approach can produce symptoms like higher blood pressure, seizures, and dehydration, all of which can be life-threatening.
The path your detox will take is even harder to predict and prepare for when there are multiple substances at play. Some withdrawal paths are just as dangerous as abusing the substances themselves and should not be taken alone.
Some of the most dangerous substances to experience withdrawal from are heroin, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and painkillers.
When it comes to withdrawal, it is a common phrase that some substances can kill you while others will make you wish you were dead. How long you’ll experience these symptoms and what your withdrawal experience is like can change whether it lasts days or weeks.
Medical Detox
There are many inpatient and outpatient treatments available that lower your risks of severe complications. These treatments are designed specifically to your needs to provide you with the care you need to overcome addiction safely by monitoring and treating both the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.
Benefits Of A Safe Withdrawal
Due to the potentially life-threatening dangers of withdrawal, supervised withdrawal is the safest and most beneficial path to follow. Contact a doctor before stopping use and decide together that works best for you and your success.
Inpatient Rehab
Patients live full-time at centers like New Waters Recovery rather than going home at night as an outpatient and potentially exposing themselves to relapse.
These centers don’t just provide medical support, but a community of healing and 24-hour care for varying lengths of time depending on their addiction.
Inpatient Detoxification
Withdrawal and detoxing are incredibly unpleasant experiences with low individual success rates. The intense physical symptoms of withdrawal cause many to turn back to their addiction to escape and hinder their path to healing.
Rehab centers provide medical professionals to monitor your health, well-being, and symptoms during the entire process in order to ease your symptoms. Patients with constant access to help to manage these difficult symptoms are more likely to succeed on their journey.
Success Rate
Medical drug detox helps control your withdrawal symptoms through medication and therapies decreasing the risk of relapse, overdose, and other life-threatening complications.
Inpatient rehab provides a safe environment away from drugs and alcohol to detox and start your journey and leads to higher rates of success. More addicts complete their detox in inpatient programs compared to those who opt for outpatient treatments.
Not only do they complete their detox but are shown to acquire increased psychological and social functions, a decrease in criminal activity, and an increase in occupational functioning.
Those who complete a treatment program at a rehab facility are less than 50% more likely to return to some kind of substance abuse.
Withdrawal Symptoms – Final Thoughts
Although withdrawal is uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening, it can be managed with the help of a medical professional. Medical detox is the process of getting someone clean by removing their drugs and alcohol from their body.
The medical team you work with will help you safely through this process by providing medications, increasing hydration and nutrition, and monitoring your symptoms.
It’s important to know that you can achieve long-term sobriety by committing to treatment and working a program that helps you reach your goals.
IMAGE: PEXELS
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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