Withdrawal Causes
Causes of drug & alcohol withdrawal
The human body is remarkable in its ability to adapt to its environment. When drugs or alcohol is ingested, a person’s body can actually alter its internal chemistry to account for the presence of the substance. If the drug or alcohol abuse continues, then the body starts to change how it functions. For example, if the abuse were to suddenly stop, the body would be thrown into disarray as it attempts to cope with the absence of a substance on which it has come to depend on. This disarray and readjustment process is known as withdrawal.
Many legal and illegal drugs can cause withdrawal symptoms if a person stops using them after a long period of use. For example, the headaches that can afflict a coffee drinker when he or she has not had a cup of coffee are actually a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. Much more serious than caffeine withdrawal, however, is withdrawal from alcohol and drugs. When a person stops abusing these substances, his or her body can experience a readjustment process that is at best extremely uncomfortable and at worst dangerous or life-threatening.
Withdrawal Signs
Signs of drug & alcohol withdrawal
The signs of withdrawal vary widely depending upon a variety of factors, including the type of drug or alcohol a person has been abusing, how long he or she has been abusing it, how intense his or her abuse of the substance has been, and the make-up of the person’s individual body chemistry. That being said, there are a number of signs that may indicate a person who has been abusing drugs or alcohol is experiencing withdrawal. Some of the signs include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Vomiting
- Bone pain
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Shakiness
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue
- Changes in body temperature
- Appetite changes
- Poor concentration
- Irritability
- Depression
- Drastic mood shifts
- Aggression
- Suicidal ideation
- Cravings
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Excessive sweating
- Watery eyes
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramping
- Vision disturbances
- Changes in weight
- Sleep problems
- Hallucinations
- Memory impairment
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Aggression
People who are abusing substances and experience these symptoms are likely experiencing withdrawal, and withdrawal is one piece of evidence that suggests a person’s drug or alcohol addiction has grown into a serious problem. It is important that individuals experiencing these symptoms receive not only immediate care but long-term professional help so that they can regain their sobriety.
Why Seek Treatment?
Why seek treatment for drug & alcohol addiction near Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
If an individual is struggling with the abuse of a substance, it is important that he or she receives help as soon as possible. Substance use disorders are a serious condition that can be life-threatening if they are not addressed. Furthermore, the longer a person continues to abuse a substance, the longer he or she remains at risk of an unpredictable and potentially fatal overdose.
It is extremely difficult for a person to overcome a substance use disorder without professional help. The cravings alone can cause a person to be unable to resist the temptation to relapse. Furthermore, the intensely uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal can also cause a person to relapse since the quickest way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms is to simply take more of the drug.
Fortunately, there are treatment centers near Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota that can help individuals overcome dependence on drugs of abuse. For many people, detoxification, or detox, is the first step on the road to long-term sobriety. During detox, individuals have the opportunity to withdraw safely while under the care of an experienced medical team. This medical team can monitor the person’s progress through withdrawal and can administer medications to alleviate some withdrawal symptoms, ensuring that the person’s withdrawal period is as safe and comfortable as possible. After detox, many individuals take part in treatment at a residential addiction rehab center which helps them remain in a drug-free environment while providing support and helping them learn the skills they need to live a substance-free life.
With professional help near Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota, it is possible to overcome addictions. At our drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, we have more than 20 years of experience helping individuals overcome substance use disorders. We understand what it takes to help individuals reclaim the sober lives that they deserve. While we do not provide detox on-site, we work carefully with high-quality local detox providers to ensure that individuals in our care receive the best possible detox treatment and a smooth and easy transition into our residential drug abuse rehab center after detox is complete. There, individuals can benefit from the support of our experienced treatment team, learn from their peers, and begin practicing the skills that can enable them to live lives free from the chains of addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse and may benefit from the top-notch care we provide, do not hesitate to contact us. Do not wait any longer for the sober life that you and your loved one deserve to be living.
