Withdrawal Symptoms – It would be foolish to tell anyone who has finally had enough of their substance of choice that withdrawing will be a walk in the park. It will not, but it is something that really must be done sooner rather than later.

Do not listen to the drug-haunt doctors:

One major cause preventing those with substance abuse problems, or those who know they cannot get through the day without several ‘hits’ of their substance of choice is the people they are mixing with. These individuals will be others who are at various stages of addiction. The most hardened addicts of the group will freely regale tales of just how agonising the effects of withdrawal are and often recommend that it is better not to consider going through it.

While these withdrawal symptoms will certainly not be pleasant, they are manageable and will be far more easily managed by receiving professional assistance, advice and encouragement.

It must also be stated that the longer you continue abusing drugs the more severe these symptoms of withdrawal will become. So, if you have an amateur drug-doctor telling you that the effects of withdrawal are not to be entertained at any cost, please get a second opinion from a professional that actually knows what they are talking about.


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What withdrawal symptoms can be expected:

Dependent upon a variety of issues, substance withdrawal will vary. These issues include such things as how long a person has been on their substance(s) of choice, how much they are taking and their physical and mental health at the time they decide to undergo withdrawal.

What is assured is that there are common symptoms which will more than likely affect all. We will break these down into physical and emotional symptoms:

Physical symptoms:

  • Intense bouts of sweating
  • Far faster than normal heartbeat
  • Palpitations
  • Aching muscles
  • Feelings of tightness in the chest
  • Laboured breathing
  • Body tremours
  • Feelings of nausea that often lead to bouts of vomitting
  • Diarrhea

Emotional symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness – The inability to stay still for any length of period is common
  • Irritability – Small, inconsequential issues can be blown out of all proportion
  • Insomnia – When sleep does come it will be fitful and uneasy
  • Headaches
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Depressive thoughts and feelings
  • Feelings of social isolation

Dangerous physical symptoms of withdrawal:

It is known that withdrawing from alcohol and tranquilisers is the most dangerous form of withdrawal. Those who have been addicted for a long period before withdrawal, or are in a poor state of health should seek professional withdrawal assistance in the form of detoxification which can greatly assist to ease these issues.

Otherwise these dangerous symptoms could lead to serious complications and in some cases death. These symptoms include:

  • Seizures
  • Strokes
  • Heart attacks
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium tremens (DTs)

Withdrawal is a necessary ‘evil’:

Those addicted to drugs or alcohol need to understand that withdrawal is necessary if they are to begin healing. The understanding and acceptance of possible withdrawal symptoms is a small price to pay for starting a process that will get your life back on track.

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