There’s no doubt about it, many drugs can be incredibly addictive. The question is, why? It’s clearly not just the pleasurable “high” that drugs can provide that keeps many users hooked. Instead, it’s what happens when a user stops using or starts to use less of the substance. For many who want to quit drugs, fear of addiction withdrawal symptoms is often one of the main reasons they don’t. Withdrawal can be painful, scary, and sometimes even deadly, especially if it is not done under medical supervision.
Many drugs don’t simply affect the body and brain, they radically change how the brain functions. They often boost the number of neurotransmitters (essential brain chemicals) like GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine in an individual’s brain. In doing this, drugs can suppress the brain’s natural ability to produce these chemicals, leading to chemical imbalances in the brain that can take months or years to heal.
Opioids May be the Most Difficult Drugs to Withdraw From
Heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, OxyContin, Vicodin, methadone, and Tramadol; these are just a few of the many opioids that are commonly abused in the United States. Drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil are often the strongest and most addictive of these drugs, and therefore usually have the most intense withdrawal symptoms.
Most individuals who abuse these drugs did not start out with the intention to become addicted. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that up to 80% of heroin users started with prescription opioids, and as they became addicted, eventually ‘graduated’ to illicit heroin use.
What are the Side Effects of Opioid Withdrawal?
- Aches and pains
- Anxiety and depression
- Digestive problems, nausea
- Shaking, tremors
- Insomnia and disturbed sleep
- Inability to experience pleasure
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Effects can be Dangerous and Long-Lasting
Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are a class of commonly prescribed sleep and anxiety drugs that includes Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Ambien. While these medications are prescribed often, sometimes even for minor cases of anxiety, many patients do not understand the addictive effects that these substances can have.
Benzos stimulate the brain’s GABA receptors. GABA is an essential neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and muscle tone. When the brain’s level of GABA falls suddenly due to the discontinuation of benzos, serious side effects can occur, sometimes even including seizures and death.
What are the Side Effects of Benzo Withdrawal?
- Panic attacks
- Agitation, irritability
- Agoraphobia, social anxiety
- Generalized anxiety and depression
- Seizures
- Death (in extreme cases)
- Shaking, tremors
- Insomnia and disturbed sleep
- Feelings of hopelessness
Withdrawing from Stimulants Like Cocaine, Meth, and Prescription Amphetamines
Stimulants can vary greatly in both their addictive potential and their potential for users to experience withdrawal symptoms. On one hand, stimulants like caffeine are legal and only mildly habit-forming, and on the other hand, stimulants like crystal meth can be incredibly dangerous and addictive.
Legal, but dangerous drugs like nicotine and prescription stimulants, like Adderall and Vyvanse, lay somewhere in between. While they have the potential for extreme abuse when used responsibly and in small amounts, they may not be particularly harmful (i.e. smoking a cigar twice a year or taking ADHD medication strictly as prescribed.)
What are the Side Effects of Stimulant Withdrawal?
- Fatigue, excessive sleepiness
- Depression
- Extreme suspicion or paranoia
- Agitation, irritability
- Inability to feel pleasure
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Insomnia
Restore Drug Detox Center LA can Help You Overcome Your Addiction
Fighting drug withdrawal to conquer addiction can be one of the most challenging experiences an individual ever undergoes. Drug withdrawal can cause frightening and uncomfortable side effects, both physically and mentally, making it extremely difficult to undergo without proper medical supervision.
At Restore Drug Rehab, we specialize in all stages of the addiction rehabilitation process. Our detox programs are provided by highly qualified and licensed medical professionals who are available to you 24/7. Our caring doctors and nurses will make sure you are safe and comfortable during the detox process so you can move on to the therapy stage of your treatment.
Our individualized drug treatment programs are created to meet your specific needs for drug addiction recovery. At Restore Health and Wellness, we will give you the tools and support you need to manage your triggers and cope with them in healthier ways. Visit our drug rehab center in Thousand Oaks, CA at 6918 Owensmouth Ave Canoga Park, CA 91303. 24/7 Admissions (818) 722-9019. On-Site Contact (818) 806-3914.
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