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The withdrawal syndrome (or withdrawal syndrome) can appear at any time you try to quit. What are the causes of withdrawal syndrome? What symptoms indicate its occurrence? And how is the treatment of abstinence syndrome going?

Abstinence syndrome( withdrawal syndrome ) develops when an addicted person stops supplying a certain substance to the body or significantly reduces the doses taken. This syndrome occurs with all addictions.

These aren't just the subjective psychological feelings of the person in rehab. The ailments that arise can be identified in medical tests. Withdrawal syndromes are known to be accompanied by: decreased heart rate

  • drop in blood pressure
  • lowering cortisol levels
  • lowering the level of adrenaline (stress hormones)
  • lowering the level of dopamine, i.e. the happiness hormone

People in rehab also experience weight gain and impaired attention and memory.

Most of these symptoms are felt most strongly in the first month after stopping the addictive substance. The longer the abstinence persists, the weaker the symptoms.

Abstinence syndrome (withdrawal syndrome): symptoms worsening

The severity of symptoms, but also the risk of abstinence syndrome, depends on the period of using the addictive substance and the doses used.

The higher the doses of the addictive substance and the more abrupt their withdrawal, the more stormy the period of abstinence may be.

The type of substance we have become addicted to is also extremely important. It also determines the symptoms that will accompany the withdrawal syndrome. In other words, different symptoms will appear in someone who has quit smoking, others in someone who is addicted to alcohol, and others in someone who has taken drugs.

In clinical practice, withdrawal syndromes occur most frequently after withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, nicotine, cannabinoids, as well as sedatives and hypnotics.

Drug withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal syndrome) after alcohol

Common symptoms of Alcohol Abstinence Syndrome include:

  • muscle tremors
  • muscle aches
  • sweating
  • nausea
  • increased heart rate
  • anxiety
  • sensitivity to sounds
  • photosensitivity
  • insomnia
  • feeling of general breakdown

In severe cases,

may occur
  • disturbance of consciousness
  • so-called productive symptoms, i.e. hallucinations, illusions, delusions and seizures

Most people who have symptoms of this syndrome must be treated by specialists, often in hospital, to reduce the risk of death.

Opioid withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal syndrome)

Sudden opioid withdrawal leads to

  • mood deterioration
  • insomnia
  • pain and muscle spasms
  • diarrhea
  • nausea and vomiting
  • so-called goose bumps (piloerection)
  • sweating

Also appears:

  • qatar
  • watery eyes
  • pupil dilation
  • increased pressure
  • hard to control yawn

Depending on the type of opioid taken, symptoms occur at different times and last for different lengths.

After heroin, for example, withdrawal symptoms (usually) last a little over a week.

After methadone, a drug that is used in drug addiction treatment, unpleasant symptoms will last for 14-21 days.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms resolve unevenly. They can persist for months.

Cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome

Cannabinoids are products made from the cannabis plant. After withdrawal, it appears:

  • mental hunger for cannabinoids
  • sleep disturbance
  • irritability
  • anxiety
  • decreased appetite
  • sweating
  • dyspeptic symptoms
  • sometimes there is an increase in body temperature and chills

The symptoms disappear unevenly and may last from several days to several months.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal syndrome)

Common symptoms for this withdrawal syndrome are:

  • anxiety
  • anxiety
  • inability to relax
  • irritability
  • sensitivity to sounds
  • photophobia
  • appetite reduction
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness and headaches
  • tinnitus
  • difficulty concentrating
  • palpitations
  • muscle aches and stiffness
  • tingling sensation in the limbs
  • altered feelingstaste (metallic taste in the mouth)

In more severe cases, there may be disturbances in consciousness in the form of delirium and seizures. Similar withdrawal syndromes can also be triggered by discontinuation of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.

Nicotine withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal syndrome)

Quitting smoking, especially if done overnight, may be the reason for:

  • irritability
  • deterioration of memory and concentration
  • depressing mood
  • unjustified anxiety
  • feeling tired
  • drowsiness, sleep disorders
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • increased appetite
  • weight gain due to increased appetite

A cough, known as a smoker's cough, persists for many weeks after quitting the drug addiction.

Read also:

  • Drug addiction treatment: for whom and on what terms?

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Category:

Psychology