Which drugs cause withdrawals

Drug withdrawal can be scary, painful, and life-threatening. Fortunately, there are detox methods that can help prevent you from having any symptoms at all so you can experience a safer, more comfortable recovery. People who suffer from heroin and painkiller addiction can receive medications in drug detox that relieve drug cravings and other opioid withdrawal symptoms. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are FDA-approved medications for use in treating opioid dependence and addiction.

These drugs can be prescribed as part of medical detox or medication-assisted treatment — the latter of which is combined with counseling and behavioral therapy. Those who suffer from addiction to prescription drugs like benzodiazepines, amphetamine, and sleep aids can be put on tapering schedules to avoid withdrawal. Tapering is when doctors reduce doses of these drugs gradually over a period of time until patients are no longer using these medications.

Tapering schedules and medication management are included as part of drug detox. Contact us to learn more about our many drug rehab programs and begin the treatment process today. November 2, What Is Methadone? Uses, Abuse and Addiction Concerns November 1, Ready to start? For example, opiates and opioids strong drugs used to relieve pain, so opiate withdrawal symptoms include hypersensitivity to pain. Benzodiazepines are a powerful class of anti-anxiety medications.

Quitting benzodiazepines often cause extreme feelings of anxiety and restlessness. Another thing to consider is the severity of drug withdrawal symptoms. Some people experience only mild discomfort during the withdrawal period while others are debilitated by the reactions.

The severity of symptoms is usually influenced by the factors listed above. The exact effects of drug withdrawal symptoms range from person to person. They include physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms, as well as numerous other categories. Splitting them down into groups is an easier way to understand the effects of drug withdrawal.

The following are a few examples of how the body may react to quitting drugs. Physical reactions refer to any of the physical, bodily symptoms that result from suddenly quitting using drugs. Fatigue and lethargy are common symptoms caused by many substances because of the toll drugs take on the body. Sweats, shakes, clammy skin, tingles, and feeling cold are other examples. Muscle pains and spasms are seen when withdrawing from drugs like opiates or muscle relaxers.

Behavioral symptoms are those that affect the way people interact with those around them. This means agitation, irritability, and frustration are common when withdrawing from almost every substance. Being quick to anger is another symptom seen in many people withdrawing from drugs. Gastrointestinal symptoms are caused by the way the digestive system responds to the lack of substances. Appetite is usually affected in one way or another, but the loss of appetite is most often present.

Nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting are also recurrent symptoms during drug withdrawal. Psychological symptoms are the impacts that drug withdrawal has on mood, wellbeing, and mental health. Much like agitation and frustration are common responses to the lack of substances, anxiety and nervousness are frequently seen. Paranoia and delirium are also some examples of psychological withdrawal symptoms. Sleeping problems are a very expected part of drug withdrawal.

Sleep is part of that internal system the body seeks to regulate during active drug use. Both can occur rapidly, produce severe confusion, and trigger seizures that can be fatal.

Both are typically treated by administering long-acting benzodiazepines in a physician-assisted medical detox program. In detox, benzodiazepines are administered on a tapering schedule. That means you receive a smaller and smaller dosage over time until you are weaned off of them once your withdrawal symptoms stop. Opioids include drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, and fentanyl.

Although withdrawal from opioid drugs can be very distressing, the symptoms are typically not fatal. There is a smaller risk that you will have seizures than there is when withdrawing from other drugs, unless you have a pre-existing condition that increases your risk for seizures.

This allows you to take amounts of opioids that may be fatal to someone without tolerance. The major risk associated with opioid withdrawal is that you will relapse. Since your tolerance will have significantly decreased, relapse could easily lead to a fatal overdose.

Other risks include dehydration and self-harm due to emotional distress. For chronic, heavy users, opioid withdrawal symptoms can begin within several hours. For mild to moderate opioid use disorders, it may take a day or two for symptoms to appear.

Medical detox for opioids may involve medication-assisted treatment MAT and the use of an opioid replacement medication. When used as part of MAT, these medications can be very helpful in long-term opioid recovery.

Learn more about withdrawing from opioids here. Common stimulants include methylphenidate Ritalin , meth, cocaine, and amphetamines. Withdrawal from these drugs typically produces more emotional symptoms than physical symptoms, but you may also experience:.

For most people, withdrawing from stimulants produces extreme mood swings and cravings. These symptoms greatly increase your risk of relapse. As part of medical detox, medications help control cravings and reduce lethargy. Long-term treatment addresses apathy and depression.

Learn more about withdrawing from stimulants here. To rid your body of drugs, you must go through the detoxification process. Detoxing in a medical facility is the safest option. It also addresses the symptoms of withdrawal that may cause you to relapse. Medical detox is highly recommended for anyone with a substance use disorder. We highly recommend it for the other types of addiction because it gives you the best chance possible at a healthy, sober life. Relapse rates for all types of substance use disorders are high.

The potential to relapse is significantly decreased if you participate in treatment following detox.