Withdrawal Symptoms: What To Expect With Absence of Your Substance

One of the biggest reasons why addicts will continue their addiction is the fear of withdrawals. They can be very uncomfortable and even unbearable to face. Depending on your substance, the duration of how long you have taken it or the dosage, and history of abuse, can all affect how severe your withdrawal symptoms will be.
Heroin and Opiate withdrawals
The withdrawal symptoms of heroin or other opiates (oxycodone, percocet, suboxone,)
The symptoms will vary between person to person, it depends on how you were using the drug, the duration you were using, the amount taken, and other environmental and genetic factors.
The reason why opiate withdrawal symptoms are so miserable for the user is because the brain has opiate receptors and when they do not have the drug your brain is firing because of the lack of opiates. You brain has changed chemistry to depend on the drug, and it is very difficult to come off without many symptoms. Although it is not dangerous to withdrawal from opiates it can be very scary, and the real danger is the overdose after trying to come off.
heroin withdrawal symptoms
- muscle pain
- agitation
- insomnia
- runny nose
- sweats/fever
- diarrhea/vomiting
- high blood pressure
- heart racing
Alcohol withdrawals
Alcohol withdrawals are one of the most dangerous, and should be monitored by a professional.
If you want to learn more about the dangers of at home detox click HERE.
Alcohol has a depressive effect on the brain and slows down the responses with your nerves. It not only impairs your judgement it is also very dangerous for your liver.
When you use alcohol regularly your central nervous system will be dependent on it and your brain works extra hard. The withdrawals happen when you brain is trying to do the overworking.
alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- headache
- nausea-vomiting
- anxiety
- sweating
- shaky hands
- confusion
- nightmares
- insomnia
- irritability
- seizures
- extreme confusion
- hallucinations (visual, audial, tactile)
- fever
- extreme agitation or violence
Benzodiazepines withdrawals
Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety, sleep disorders, and muscle spasms. There is a debate about if physical dependency and addiction are the same. But either way the withdrawal symptoms are the same and need to be monitored carefully by a professional. Like alcohol, these drugs work with your central nervous system and can cause deadly seizures so should to taken seriously when wanting to taper off these drugs.
benzo withdrawal symptoms
- anxiety
- hallucinations
- headaches
- insomnia
- seizures
- depression/suicidal thoughts