Coping With Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Depending upon the drug, the length of one’s addiction, and the presence of any other illnesses, a person can experience a whole range of withdrawal symptoms when going through their detox. Medical detoxification is an experience that most addiction treatment centers include in their treatment plan.
It is the period of time that happens at the beginning of recovery when a person detoxes from the substance they’ve been addicted to while their body and brain find their homeostasis again.
Because the brain and the body are letting go of a substance that it has been dependent upon for the last few months or years, the experience can feel challenging.
Typical Withdrawal Symptoms
- Irritability
- Feeling of impending doom
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Suicidal thinking
- Anxiety
- Shaky hands
- Sweating
- Mild anxiety
- Irritability
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations (visual, auditory, or tactile)
- Seizures (can occur either as a single clearing seizure or as a brief episode of multiple seizures.)
- Tremors
- Fever
- Severe confusion
- Irregular heartbeats
- Disorientation
- Impaired attention
How to Make The Experience Easier
As you can see, the experience of withdrawal can be difficult. However, there are many steps that you can take in order to make your experience easier. In fact, some physicians might prescribe medication that can ease feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression.
In addition to medication and the support of professionals, here are some tips to consider for coping with symptoms of withdrawal:
Eat three meals per day. Drinking alcohol and using drugs can have damaging effects on the body. Eating well can keep your body properly nourished, and that alone can facilitate making better decisions.
Exercise at least three times per week. Physical activity can release endorphins, which alone help to boost positive feelings.
Get good sleep – A recovering addict who goes to bed and rises at the same time every day will often feel the difference in his or her mental health.
Stay closely connected to others who are in recovery. Having friendships and peers around you is a reminder that you’re not going through drug rehab alone and that you have support.
Attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting three times per week. AA, or another recovery model, can serve as an addiction support group, where recovering addicts share their stories, their concerns, and their fears. An AA community is another way of accessing support and feedback during drug rehab experience.
These are a few suggestions for coping with your withdrawal symptoms. However, if you feel like you are experiencing great difficulty, contact a physician or a mental health provider.
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