For several years now, Joe has been struggling with drug addiction — opioids, to be more exact. When the consequences dawned on him, he finally decided to quit. But bidding drugs goodbye, as with other things, is easier said than done. He’s been experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, and mental anguish, among others.
His worst possible consequence? Death. And Joe could be you or anyone who attempts to overcome addiction without guidance.
As this is a matter of life and death, it all the more underscores the importance of a medically supervised detox. In this blog, we’re shedding light on the dangers of unassisted withdrawal, which substances pose the most risk, and why proper detox matters.
The American Addiction Centers define drug withdrawal as a “physiological response to the sudden quitting or slowing of use of a substance to which the body has grown dependent on.”
When you have consumed drugs or alcohol for an extended period, quitting consuming them can lead to various combinations of physical and psychological symptoms. This is because your body has become so dependent on the substance that you won’t feel a sense of normalcy without it.
Physical symptoms, such as nausea and sweating, arise from your body’s dependency on drugs or alcohol. Typically, they have a shorter duration than psychological symptoms.
The psychological effects of withdrawal can persist for a longer time. They primarily involve your emotional and mental state, and such symptoms can manifest in symptoms like irritability, depression, and anxiety.
The symptoms you will exhibit will depend on various factors, including how long you’ve been addicted, the severity of your dependency, and the type/s of substances you’ve been consuming.
Among the physical symptoms of drug withdrawal, here are the most common:
Meanwhile, psychological symptoms may include the following:
While some substances pose symptoms that are easier to manage, some bring forth a much greater risk. At their worst, they can be fatal.
When you discontinue or substantially reduce your alcohol intake, a combination of mental and physical issues may surface. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can demonstrate symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.
Research shows that symptoms like headache, insomnia, and vomiting may manifest within a few hours following the last alcoholic beverage consumed. They reach their peak within 24 to 72 hours.
Delirium tremens typically emerge 48 to 72 hours after, persisting for 3 to 8 days. When not treated, delirium tremens can be fatal. According to experts, the mortality rate for individuals experiencing delirium tremens falls between 1 and 5%.
Benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanax are depressants used to treat sleep disorders and anxiety. However, extended usage can lead to dependence.
Short-acting forms, including oxazepam, alprazolam, and temazepam, cause withdrawal symptoms within 1 to 2 days of the last dose, lasting 2 to 4 weeks or more.
Meanwhile, long-acting ones, like diazepam and nitrazepam, induce withdrawal approximately 2 to 7 days after the final dose, continuing for 2 to 8 weeks or longer. Common withdrawal symptoms encompass anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, concentration issues, and muscle discomfort.
In some cases, benzodiazepine withdrawal also causes seizures. When not medically attended to, these can cause accidents (e.g., car crashes) and even death.
Opioids like heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, and methadone can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Short-acting opioids, such as heroin, trigger symptoms 8 to 24 hours after the last use, lasting 4 to 10 days. Long-acting opioids like methadone induce symptoms 12 to 48 hours post-use, extending for 10 to 20 days.
Opiate withdrawal consequences include nausea, anxiety, insomnia, temperature fluctuations, sweating, muscle cramps, watery eyes and nose, and diarrhea. Though typically not life-threatening, these symptoms are profoundly uncomfortable. Attempting opioid withdrawal without medical guidance carries the risk of relapse, increasing the potential for a fatal overdose.
Once you’ve become willing to break from addiction, it can be tempting to quit “cold turkey” or stop consuming addictive substances immediately. However, doing this can be dangerous.
To safely navigate drug withdrawal, receiving medical guidance is essential. Like how it is in medication-assisted therapy, undergoing a medically supervised detox program will help you assess your specific situation and get a plan tailored just for you. Your dedicated healthcare professional can prescribe the right medications and teach you the right coping skills as you manage withdrawal symptoms that may arise.
They will also monitor your health as you progress in your recovery journey. Along the way, they also provide emotional support and counseling to help you address psychological symptoms.
The importance of medically supervised detox cannot be overstated. After all, it’s a way to increase your likelihood of completing your detox process.
Instead of quitting “cold turkey,” experts recommend gradual tapering. When you do this instead of abrupt cessation, you will give your body ample time to adjust and bring back various functions into their normal state.
Besides seeking professional guidance, another safe practice to overcome drug dependency is joining support groups. These groups offer valuable guidance and strong encouragement. Attending therapy sessions like dialectical behavior therapy can help you survive various emotional situations.
Drug dependency and unassisted withdrawal have lasting effects, especially on the brain. When you take drugs, such substances can alter how your brain’s neurons process information. In the short term, these changes will prompt your brain to compulsively use the substances and develop further addiction — hoping to get the same rewarding feeling every time you take them.
In the long run, it can lead to cognitive decline, negatively affecting learning, memory, problem-solving, and judgment.
Certain substances also have specific consequences. For instance, opioids alter white matter tracts linked with antisocial behavior. Meanwhile, benzodiazepines can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. On the other hand, alcohol can lead to thiamine deficiency, which, when not addressed, can lead to consequences like severe memory and learning problems.
The impact of drugs goes beyond the brain. It can also cause serious liver, kidney, and heart problems. Other concerns ranging from dental health issues to mental disorders and cancer can also arise.
If a loved one deals with a difficult withdrawal process, your genuine compassion can go a long way. By giving emotional support — coupled with practical help — you can empower them to continue their path to recovery.
Just keep in mind that it’s also part of your role to get properly educated, consume reputable resources, and seek professional help so you can better offer support in whatever form when needed.
When you realize the life-altering consequences of substance addiction, you might want to change your ways immediately. However, unassisted withdrawal is dangerous and, in itself, can lead to severe consequences. These include muscle pain, appetite changes, tremors, nausea, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and irritability — with death as the worst possible consequence.
To mitigate and better manage these impacts, you must enlist help from a professional, undergo the necessary therapies, and build a strong support system. And if you’re looking for a tried-and-tested detox program to help you with safe drug withdrawal, Freedom Recovery has what you need. Reach out for help today.
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