Substance-use disorders are complex conditions that often require treatment.
Thats because using drugs (including alcohol) long-term can cause your body to become dependent on the substance.
National Library of Medicine.
Drug withdrawal symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the type of substance.
What causes withdrawal, and how does it impact your body?
D., chief psychologist at A Mission for Michael, tells SELF.
This release gives you a temporary boost or euphoric feeling that tapers off as the substance leaves your body.
For some people, this is where the process ends.
There is no need to continually seek out a dopamine release from alcohol or other drugs.
The problem with this scenario is your body eventually requires more of that substance to feel the same results.
Symptoms of withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the substance.
Plus, not everyone will experience symptoms the same way.
Here are some of the more common withdrawal symptoms for various drugs, including alcohol.
If youre dealing with alcohol withdrawal, according to theU.S.
Cocaine- withdrawal symptoms can include:2
How long does withdrawal last?
Withdrawal can last days, weeks, and sometimes even months.
Keep reading for more details about how long various types of drug withdrawal symptoms may last.
Drug-withdrawal symptoms are common with opioids.
Symptom onset is from 6 to 24 hours after the last dose and peaks at 24 to 48 hours.
(There are medications and strategies available to help reduce the intensity of these symptoms.)
Then, within seven to eight days, this phase is over, and the psychological work can begin.
That said, Dr. Hanson points out that benzodiazepines withdrawal can admittedly be very difficult.
(More on this in a bit.)
Acute symptoms in cocaine withdrawal generally last 7 to 10 days as your body rids cocaine from your system.
Withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol are unpleasant, causing many people to continue their substance use.
Feeling nervous or scared about this process is normal, but know that you are not alone.
The gold standard for safely managing withdrawal symptoms is through medical supervision.
Without medical supervision, Dr. Marcum says you may suffer from seizures or other life-threatening consequences.
She also recommends counseling from mental health professionals and collaboration with psychiatry to treat co-occurring mental health disorders.
It’s important to note that trauma isn’t always the cause of substance use.
By combining medical detox with psycho-education and self-understanding, Dr. Hanson says trauma resolution and trauma reprocessing are possible.
Medication options for opioids include methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, or clonidine.
They can assist with finding detox centers in your area.
You may also consult with your primary care doctor or your insurance carrier for providers nearby.
