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Withdrawal symptoms usually occur when the drug is discontinued or when the effect of the drug is often blocked by an antagonist. Addicts who often experience symptoms drop out This will of course be painful and can be sure to show many symptoms, such as headaches, diarrhea or shaking (tremors).
Withdrawal refers to the process your body goes through when you try to stop taking your medication or can’t take your medication for any reason eg you can’t get your medication.
Read too Withdrawal Symptoms of Alprazolam & How to Overcome It!
Continued drug exposure causes your body to adapt to the presence of these drugs in your system, and therefore, when you stop or reduce your medication significantly, this can result in a variety of withdrawal symptoms that can be harmful to your body. .
What is Discontinuation?
Withdrawal symptoms are a combination of physical and mental effects that a person experiences after they stop using or reduce their intake of substances such as alcohol and prescription or recreational drugs.
If you have been using a substance with a high dependency potential and you stop suddenly to drastically reduce your use, you can experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms. The intensity and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary greatly, depending on the type of drug and your biologic makeup.
drop out (Withdrawal Syndrome) can be unpleasant and potentially dangerous in some cases. For this reason, you should always talk to a specialist before stopping or reducing the use of an alcohol addiction etc.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of medication you are taking. Some of the symptoms commonly associated with withdrawal include:
- Changes in appetite
- Mood changes
- Blockage
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Muscle ache
- Nauseous
- Anxiety
- Have a cold
- Shaky
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating
- Tremor
- vomiting
More severe symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, delirium can also occur in some cases. The type of medication you take, the amount of time you take it, and the dose you take can all affect the type and severity of symptoms you experience.
Causes of Discontinuation
The body and brain work to maintain a state of balance known as homeostasis. Taking substances alters that balance, so your body must take steps to adjust including changing levels of certain neurotransmitters. These substances act on your brain’s reward system, triggering the release of chemicals.
When you regularly take a drug for a period of time, your body can build tolerance and dependence on that drug. Tolerance means that it takes a larger dose of the drug to achieve the same effect as you initially experienced, whereas dependence means that your body needs the drug to avoid withdrawal.
If you suddenly stop or reduce your drug intake, your body once again loses balance and withdrawal symptoms may occur. Such symptoms are often physical and mental, and potentially dangerous depending on the type of medication.
Withdrawal symptoms are often the opposite of the effects of the drug itself. For example, alcohol is a depressant, so if you suddenly stop drinking alcohol, you may experience symptoms of overstimulation such as anxiety or restlessness.
Discontinuation Type
The specific withdrawal symptoms you experience will depend on the type of medication you are taking. There are several types of drugs that can cause withdrawal, including the following:
- Antidepressants
- Barbiturates
- ganja
- Depressant
- Hallucinogen
- Inhalation
- Opioid
- Stimulants
The following are some examples of certain substances that can cause withdrawal and the expected duration of the symptoms:
- Alcohol : Not everyone who stops drinking has withdrawal symptoms, but most people who quit suddenly after drinking enough alcohol for a long time can experience a variety of symptoms. Often these symptoms will trigger a relapse.
- Heroin : Those addicted to heroin experience some very intense withdrawal symptoms, but even the worst symptoms subside within five to seven days. However, for some people, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) can last for weeks or even months.
- Ganja : Compared to alcohol and other drugs, the withdrawal symptoms some marijuana users experience when they try to quit are on the mild side. However, some of these symptoms are unpleasant enough for some people that they decide to return to using the drug.
- Nicotine : Not everyone experiences all of the same nicotine withdrawal symptoms. As many who smoke know, nicotine withdrawal symptoms can make it difficult to quit smoking. There are steps you can take to reduce those symptoms as well.
- OxyContin (oxycodone): The severity of OxyContin and other prescription withdrawal symptoms is usually related to how long you take the drug and how much you take. If you take painkillers only as directed, you may experience no withdrawal symptoms at all, or very mild symptoms.
Overcoming Withdrawal
In addition to seeking medical support, there are also things you can do that can help you feel better while going through the withdrawal process:
- Ask for help. Whether you’re dealing with withdrawal on your own or under a doctor’s supervision, it’s important to have social support. Tell a trusted friend or family member so they can check in and support you throughout the process.
- Eat well. Focus on eating a nutritious and balanced diet. Eating fried, fatty, or sweet foods can make your condition worse, so avoid it.
- Exercise. Try to do some physical activity every day. Stretching, walking, swimming, or other activities can help improve your mood.
- Drink lots of white water. It is important to stay hydrated while you are going through a withdrawal, especially if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
- Relieve symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Use an over-the-counter medication at the recommended dose if you experience symptoms such as headache, stomach pain, or diarrhea.
- Sleep. Although dropping out of medication can sometimes cause trouble sleeping, try to get an adequate amount of rest. Make an effort to establish a regular sleep schedule and practice good sleep habits.
Stress management activities such as yoga and meditation can also help you cope with your withdrawal experience. However, be sure to contact your doctor, if you are struggling to cope or if you experience any worrying symptoms when you decide to stop taking your medication.