Most people who abruptly stop drinking or using drugs after long-term use encounter a range of withdrawal symptoms. These occur when your brain and body have trouble adjusting and regaining balance in the absence of intoxicating substances.
Though withdrawal may vary widely depending on the substances you used, how long you used them, and your overall health, the experience can be intimidating and uncomfortable enough to prompt a return to substance abuse without proper support.
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting: These are among the most frequently reported symptoms, particularly for those withdrawing from alcohol or opioids.
- Sweating: Excessive sweating can occur, even in air-conditioned environments.
- Shaking and tremors: Often seen in alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- Muscle and bone pain: These can be especially severe in opioid withdrawal.
- Fatigue and insomnia: Difficulty sleeping and extreme tiredness are frequent issues.
- Appetite changes: You may lose your appetite or be much hungrier than usual.
- Heart palpitations: Irregular heartbeats or increased heart rate can occur.
- Seizures: In severe cases, particularly with alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety and panic attacks: Heightened levels of anxiety and panic are common.
- Depression: Feelings of sadness and hopelessness can be intense.
- Irritability and agitation: Increased irritability and restlessness are frequent.
- Mood swings: Rapid and unpredictable changes in mood can be distressing.
- Paranoia: Feelings of suspicion or distrust may develop.
- Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not there, particularly in severe alcohol withdrawal.
- Cravings: Intense urges to use the substance again can be overwhelming.
The Importance of Medical Detox
Withdrawing from alcohol and drugs can be severely uncomfortable, upsetting, and sometimes even life-threatening. NEM Recovery understands these challenges and offers private, medically managed detox for our clients as the first phase of recovery.
We have designed our medical detox program with a focus on comfort, using cutting-edge protocols to ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of dangerous side effects. Around-the-clock monitoring enables your care team to address severe complications like seizures or dehydration and administer FDA-approved medications for safety.
- Emotional support: Withdrawal can be an emotionally turbulent time. Having professionals available to talk to can make a significant difference in maintaining your emotional sobriety.
- Reduced relapse risk: The discomfort of at-home, cold-turkey withdrawal leads many people to relapse. Professional supervision allows you to get through this phase without regressing to substance use.
- Holistic care: At NEM Recovery, we offer a comprehensive approach that addresses your physical and psychological needs.
For many people, the stability offered by medical detox is an invaluable first step in building the foundation for future treatment. Contact our Laguna Beach recovery centers today to learn how we can change your life.
