Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS AND ADDICTION IMPACT NEARLY 1 OUT OF EVERY 7 AMERICANS EVERY YEAR. THE RECENT SURGE IN OPIATE ABUSE HAS LED TO DRUG OVERDOSES BECOMING THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH NATIONWIDE. THE OPIATE EPIDEMIC HAS CREATED SUCH SIGNIFICANT AND VISIBLE PROBLEMS THAT THE UNITED STATES ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY SOLELY TO COMBAT OPIATE ABUSE. 

Additionally, when you become physically dependent on drugs, you can experience painful and uncomfortable drug withdrawal symptoms when you stop using. This can make it difficult to quit without help from a substance abuse treatment center in St. Augustine, FL.

Although it is becoming more difficult to obtain prescription opiates, the problem with opiates and drug abuse continues to grow and so an opiate addiction treatment center may help you. Alcohol abuse, which can include things like alcoholism and binge drinking, also leads to tens of thousands of deaths each year. Drugs and alcohol are both physically and psychologically addictive.

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

Addiction is a type of chronic mental health disorder that can cause your behavior, cognition, and personality to change. Drugs interact with not only your body but also your brain. When you use or abuse drugs, your brain begins to release increasingly higher amounts of neurotransmitters. Drugs inhibit certain neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin, which produce the euphoric effects associated with intoxication.

Over time, your brain becomes dependent on drugs to release neurotransmitters. Since your brain begins connecting drugs with pleasure, it continues to reward your drug use by releasing neurotransmitters when you use and withholding them when you don’t. The feelings you experience when the drug wears off is caused by the sudden depletion of neurotransmitters.

During addiction, your brain begins cravings drugs when you are exposed to triggers, while you can experience physical drug withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.

WHAT ARE DRUG WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS?

Drug withdrawal symptoms occur when you become physically addicted to a drug and suddenly stop using or decreasing your use. When you become addicted to drugs, your tolerance begins to build. As your tolerance builds, you can experience drug withdrawal symptoms if you start using lower doses. You can also deal with intense drug withdrawal symptoms when you completely stop using.

Common signs of drug withdrawal symptoms include:

• Increased anxiety
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
• Sweats, chills, tremors, and shakes
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Restless legs, pain, and aches

Drug withdrawal symptoms can make it difficult to quit using because symptoms will immediately dissipate if you resume using. A medically supervised detox and relapse prevention therapy can help reduce the severity and intensity of your symptoms while lowering your risk of experiencing complications.

Since drug withdrawal symptoms can cause you to vomit and have digestive issues, you can become severely dehydrated during detox. A treatment center can help supervise you in a safe environment while minimizing your discomfort, making it easier to recover.

HOW IS ADDICTION TREATED?

Pearl of the Sea Retreat, the premier substance abuse treatment center St. Augustine, FL offers, knows what it takes to conquer addiction and manage drug withdrawal symptoms. Call us today at 866-962-1907 to learn more about our programs or to discuss your treatment options.