The journey of recovery from addiction is a journey full of challenges facing the addiction patient and those around him. It begins with the appearance of symptoms of quitting addiction, which require complete understanding and awareness, along with patience and determination to get rid of that nightmare. The best person to accompany you on that journey and support you physically and psychologically is the specialized doctor who understands your condition and deals with you in a sound way that avoids risks. Follow this article with us to learn about the symptoms of getting rid of addiction and how to deal with them.
What is meant by quitting addiction?
What is meant by quitting addiction is to permanently stop using narcotic substances or alcohol, and get rid of physical and psychological dependence on them. It means that the brain and body in general enter the stage of restoring balance, so the symptoms of quitting addiction appear due to the brain’s attempt to reset the nerve receptors so that the body regains its normal functions.
What are the physical symptoms of quitting addiction?
Addiction Withdrawal symptoms are a transitional stage that the body goes through to restore its natural balance after physical dependence on the drug. Physical symptoms include:
- Pale face with under-eye circles and puffiness due to lack of sleep.
- Sweating, and the body attempts to get rid of toxins through the pores of the skin.
- A constant feeling of fatigue, general weakness, and exhaustion due to the body's energy consumption.
- Nausea and vomiting, with some disturbances in the digestive system due to the expulsion of toxins.
- Sleep disorders such as intermittent sleep as a result of the absence of a sedative or anesthetic effect on the body.
- Tremor, especially in the extremities, due to the absence of the anesthetic that the body relies on to control nervous activity.
- Persistent headache with severe body pain as a result of disturbances in the nervous system and brain.
- A sudden increase or loss in appetite as a result of some changes affecting the hormones responsible for regulating appetite.
- High blood pressure accompanied by rapid heartbeat due to hyperactivity of the nervous system trying to cope without anesthesia.
Learn about: Beware of the symptoms of addiction to tranquilizers Don't ignore the risks
Psychological and behavioral symptoms of quitting addiction
In addition to the physical changes that occur to the body when addiction stops, there are a series of psychological and behavioral symptoms that require urgent medical intervention, including:
1. Psychological symptoms of quitting addiction
The brain is exposed to a major chemical imbalance after quitting addiction, which affects neurotransmitters negatively, and psychological and mental symptoms of quitting addiction appear, such as:
- Distraction and poor concentration.
- Psychological emptiness and feeling of boredom.
- Urgent desire and longing for the drug.
- Feeling sad, frustrated, and helpless.
- Emotional hypersensitivity to others.
- Extreme nervousness, emotionality, and exaggerated reactions.
- Severe anxiety and tension are among the most common psychological symptoms.
- Disturbing dreams and nightmares, which increase tension and psychological pressure.
- Severe depression due to low levels of the hormone dopamine in the body.
- Suffering from severe mood swings, the patient moves between states of sadness, joy, and nervousness quickly.
2. Behavioral symptoms of quitting addiction
As a result of the painful psychological and physical changes, the behavior of the addicted patient becomes strange, which requires special treatment and continuous follow-up. The most prominent behavioral symptoms are:
- Tendency to isolate and not participate in any social family activity.
- Fluctuations in behavior from a calm state to sudden nervousness.
- Complete lack of attention to personal hygiene or clothing.
- Neglecting study or work, and sleeping all the time.
- Loss of interest in usual activities and routines.
- Suicidal thoughts due to depression.
- Searching for alternatives to fill the void.
- Constant evasion of confrontation.
When do quitting symptoms start?
Symptoms of quitting addiction in the case of alcohol, opiates, and tranquilizers begin 24 hours after the last dose, and peak on the fourth day. The physical symptoms last from approximately 7 to 14 days in the case of safe medical treatment and continuous follow-up. This is what concerns the physical symptoms, but behavioral and psychological changes require a few months with follow-up.
Regarding the symptoms of withdrawal from substances such as cannabis or tranquilizers, they begin 3 days after stopping the drug, and the physical symptoms last approximately 7 to 10 days with medical treatment, while the psychological and behavioral symptoms continue for months until the behavioral treatment program is completed.
Book your consultation now at Well-being center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
Do symptoms differ depending on the type of addiction?
Yes, of course the symptoms vary depending on the type of addiction as a result of the multiple effects that each substance has on the nervous system and the brain, including a sedative, a stimulant, and others. Below we discuss the symptoms of quitting specific to some substances:
1. Symptoms of quitting alcohol addiction
Include Symptoms of quitting alcohol addiction include:
- Extreme anxiety.
- Tremor in the extremities.
- Increased heart rate.
- Auditory and visual hallucinations.
- Advanced cases suffer from convulsive seizures.
- Delirium tremens, a serious, life-threatening condition that begins with agitation, fluctuating pulse and blood pressure, and confusion.
2. Symptoms of withdrawal from hashish and marijuana
As for the symptoms of withdrawal from hashish and marijuana, they include:
- القشعريرة.
- Slight sweating.
- ألم في البطن.
- Constant tension and nervousness.
- Frequent headaches with fatigue.
- Disturbing dreams and sleep disturbances.
- Mood swings that lead to severe depression.
- Loss of appetite, followed after a period of increased appetite and weight.
3. Symptoms of quitting stimulant addiction
Symptoms of quitting addiction to stimulants such as crystal meth and Captagon include:
- Excessive sleep.
- Memory weakness.
- Lack of pleasure in any activity.
- Sudden drop in energy with fatigue.
- Not wanting to live with suicidal thoughts.
- Symptoms of psychosis such as paranoia and hallucinations.
- Slowness of movement in some cases and sometimes excessive agitation.
4. Symptoms of sedative withdrawal
Symptoms of withdrawal from sedatives and hypnotics that cause addiction include:
- Heart palpitations.
- Severe insomnia.
- Tinnitus.
- Numbness and tingling.
- Convulsive seizures.
- Irritability and rebound anxiety.
- Excessive sensitivity to light or sound.
- Some advanced cases may develop symptoms of psychosis.
5. Symptoms of quitting opioid addiction
The most prominent symptoms of quitting addiction to opioids such as heroin, morphine, tramadol, and others are:
- Exhaustion.
- Anxiety and irritability.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Inability to tolerate pain.
- Dehydration due to persistent vomiting and diarrhea.
- Sensitivity to weather fluctuations, such as cold or extreme heat.
Learn about: Causes of alcohol addiction
How can quitting symptoms be relieved?
The best and safest way to relieve the symptoms of quitting addiction is to immediately undergo an addiction treatment program under the supervision of a doctor and a psychologist and behavioral specialist. The program is divided into 4 stages:
- Detox:
It includes withdrawing the anesthetic in a safe manner that does not affect the patient, completely cleansing the body of any traces of anesthetic substances, and closely following up on any developments. - العلاج الدوائي:
It includes a treatment protocol aimed at alleviating the physical and psychological symptoms that accompany drug withdrawal, and these medications are given under complete medical supervision. - Behavioral psychotherapy:
It includes individual psychological and behavioral sessions that help the patient control his behavior and desires, and learn new methods and strategies for dealing with psychological and social pressures. - Follow up and avoid relapse:
This is a very important stage that includes careful medical follow-up after recovery from addiction, with monitoring by family members and close ones, and keeping the recovering person away from any environment that encourages him to relapse.
Frequently asked questions
We are still learning more about the symptoms of quitting addiction, and the extent of their danger, by answering the most important questions:
What are the stages of recovery from addiction?
The stages of recovery from addiction begin from the moment the decision is made and begin the stages of addiction treatment under medical supervision, which include removing toxins from the body, then treating the symptoms of addiction cessation, then psychological and behavioral treatment, then follow-up to avoid relapse.
Are the symptoms of quitting addiction serious?
Yes, the symptoms of quitting addiction are serious in many cases, especially with the long period of addiction, as the nervous system, the circulatory system are affected due to high blood pressure, and the digestive system, with exposure to serious seizures and convulsions.
Do symptoms appear when addiction stops?
Yes, of course, symptoms appear when stopping addiction, ranging from physical, psychological, and behavioral, as the body tries to adapt to the new conditions without drugs, so we recommend contacting Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and starting treatment for withdrawal symptoms immediately.
Al Mousa Specialist Hospital guarantees you complete confidentiality and privacy during the treatment of addiction cessation symptoms, and it begins with you step by step through a specialized team of doctors, psychologists, and an integrated nursing team. The treatment includes an approved medication protocol to remove toxins from the body, and psychological and behavioral sessions that restore your hope in life.
المصادر:
Addiction withdrawal – healthdirect
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms & Timelines – americanaddictioncenters
