Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable physical or mental
changes that happen when the body is deprived of the alcohol or drugs that it
is accustomed to getting. Withdrawal symptoms can last a few days to a few
weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety.
Keep in mind; withdrawal symptoms only occur if a person has regular, heavy use
of a drug or alcohol. Drug withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable
without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may
require a medical professional to be present. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation
is often the best way to overcome withdrawal symptoms and recovery from drug
addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms at times may be severe, if not life
threatening. Withdrawal symptoms have many variables. Everything from the type
of drug, quantity of regular use, to the length of time the drug was abused,
factors into how intense or mild an individuals drug withdrawal experience will
be. As mentioned, the type of drug used plays an important part in determining
the length and severity of withdrawal symptoms. An example would be withdrawal
from methadone; an individual who uses methadone over a period of several
months to years and decides to discontinue use will experience a longer and
more painful withdrawal than an individual who discontinues using heroin.
There are a number of different signs to signify withdrawal
symptoms depending on the drug of abuse. More noticeable signs are associated
to certain drugs. However, there are some withdrawal symptoms that are
associated with all drug use. The information listed will discuss withdrawal
symptoms of illicit or illegal drugs instead of the legal drugs in the same
category.
Common withdrawal
symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Weight
loss . A loss of appetite occurs when someone is addicted to drugs due to
the body.s constant craving of the drug. An appetite for the drug exceeds
a normal appetite for food.
- Paranoia
. Although this happens more frequently in certain drugs than others.
Paranoia is a common occurrence in a person addicted to drugs. The drug
disrupts normal mental functions creating an obsessive thought that
someone is out to get them. Drugs impair normal brain functions that
confuse the brain.s senses and perceptions.
- Preoccupation
. Drug addicts become preoccupied and often desperate in searching and
acquiring drugs. Many will go to any lengths to obtain the drug of choice
and that includes stealing, lying, fraud, and even violent crimes. A drug
addict will likely steal from anyone or ask for money with no intentions
on paying anyone back. Therefore, relationships, employment, health and
hygiene often suffer.
