Withdrawal Symptoms

Drug withdrawal symptoms can occur when an individual abruptly discontinues or decreases dosage of medications, recreational drugs, and/or alcohol. The term "cold turkey" is commonly used to describe the sudden cessation of use of a substance and the ensuing physiologic manifestations. The symptoms of drug withdrawal are as a result of physical dependence and often addiction. How withdrawal symptoms are manifested is dependent on how much of the drug has been used, over what length of time and what type of drug is being used. For example, prolonged use of an anti-depressant prescription drug will have different withdrawal symptoms when discontinued than the repeated use of an opiate, such as heroin.

There are different stages of withdrawal symptoms that individuals will manifest. Generally, the individual will start to feel worse and worse, hit a plateau, and then the symptoms begin to dissipate. However withdrawal symptoms from certain drugs such as benzodiazepines and alcohol can be fatal and abrupt discontinuation of any type of drug is not recommended.

Long-term use of many kinds of drugs causes adaptations within the body that tend to lessen the drug's original effects over time, a phenomenon known as drug tolerance. Because of this physical dependency, drug withdrawal symptoms may be experienced upon discontinuation. Withdrawal symptoms are generally the opposite of the drug's direct effect on the body. This all depends on the length of time a drug takes to leave the bloodstream. Drug withdrawal symptoms can appear within a few hours to several days after discontinuation and may also occur in the intense drug cravings.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be especially punishing and dangerous. Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms may include body aches, tremors, diarrhea, insomnia, and excessive sweating. More serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms, often experienced by long-time alcoholics, should be monitored since they can be life threatening. Serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms include high fever, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, hallucinations, and delirium tremens. Delirium tremens is an especially dangerous withdrawal symptom, and can result in uncontrolled shaking, panic attacks, and severe hallucinations. DT or delirium tremens begins within three to four days of the last drink and can last up to a week. During DT the individual must be monitored to avoid life threatening consequences due to high blood pressure and increased heart rate.

Withdrawal from cocaine often has no visible physical symptoms like the vomiting and shaking that go along with the withdrawal symptoms from heroin or alcohol. Individuals experiencing with cocaine withdrawal symptoms will experience strong cravings for more cocaine, fatigue, lack of pleasure, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion.

Opiate and opioid withdrawal can be especially painful and intense. Addicts describe withdrawal symptoms as similar to flu, but only ten times worse. Typical symptoms of heroin withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), and leg movements. Heroin withdrawal symptoms peak between 24 and 48 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week. In the case of heroin, craving and relapse can occur weeks and months after withdrawal symptoms have subsided.

Meth withdrawal symptoms tend to vary from person to person. Meth withdrawal symptoms are dependent on the length of time the user has been using the drug, the dosage, and frequency of use. Typical meth withdrawal symptoms include cravings, exhaustion, depression, mental confusion, restlessness, insomnia, and deep or disturbed sleep which may last up to 48 hours.