{"id":2627,"date":"2021-05-21T14:25:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T18:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/?page_id=2627"},"modified":"2022-07-11T15:19:28","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T19:19:28","slug":"withdrawal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/drug-addiction\/withdrawal\/","title":{"rendered":"Drug & Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Drug and alcohol withdrawal can lead to various symptoms that can be treated in different ways. Find out how different methods are used for common addictions.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drug and alcohol withdrawal can be confusing and overwhelming. There are many questions and variables to consider when it comes to the withdrawal process. You may wonder what drug withdrawal is, or how to get help with withdrawal. You could also be curious about how long alcohol withdrawal lasts or how long opiate withdrawal<\/a> lasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Substance withdrawal can have various symptoms. As a general rule, both drug withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal make people uncomfortable. Sometimes withdrawal symptoms can even be dangerous. Withdrawal can even create setbacks in recovery. It is therefore essential to know what to expect so you can seek the help you need to safely get through withdrawal and recover from substance use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Withdrawal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be surprised to learn that withdrawal can be defined<\/a> in two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. You experience typical withdrawal symptoms for the substance you stopped taking<\/li>
  2. You are taking a substance to avoid symptoms that occur if you stop taking it<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To understand withdrawal, you need to first understand the way alcohol and drugs impact your brain<\/a>. Your brain is full of nerve cells that send chemical messages to one another. When you drink or take drugs, the chemical signals in your brain changes in response to those substances. Sometimes your brain ends up with more of certain chemicals and sometimes it will end up with less. The exact chemicals depend on the substance consumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Over time, your brain gets used to the chemical signals being changed by the substances. Your body then learns to expect the substance you are taking. When your body gets used to the presence of the substance, this is called dependence. When you suddenly quit taking the substance, your brain is caught off guard. As a result, you start to feel uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms are withdrawal symptoms. Different substances cause different chemical changes in the brain. Therefore, the exact signs of drug withdrawal depend on the substance you were using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is important to note that dependence does not mean addiction<\/a>. For example, a doctor may prescribe an antidepressant<\/a> to treat depression<\/a>. You may need this drug, and it is a valid prescription drug. All the same, after your brain gets used to the antidepressant and starts to expect it, your brain is now dependent on the drug. If you stop taking the drug suddenly, you will likely have withdrawal symptoms. But this does not mean that you are addicted to the antidepressant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Withdrawal Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Drug withdrawal symptoms often depend on the substance used. Since different substances impact different brain chemicals, the withdrawal process and symptoms vary. Common withdrawal symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n