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Withdrawal syndrome (or cold turkey) is the body’s reaction when it suddenly stops receiving a substance to which it has become accustomed. This syndrome can occur when a person stops using alcohol, drugs, certain medications (such as antidepressants or painkillers), or even nicotine. Rephrase
This is a natural reaction of the body and mind to the absence of a familiar stimulus.
The body, which is accustomed to a regular supply of the substance, temporarily loses its balance, which manifests itself in:
physical symptoms (shaky hands, sweating, headache, nausea);
psychological difficulties (irritability, anxiety, insomnia, craving for the substance).
If your loved one is experiencing withdrawal symptoms and cannot cope on their own, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Our clinic employs qualified doctors who will develop a personalized program of detoxification, medication support, and psychotherapy to help you overcome your addiction and return to a normal life.
What substances cause withdrawal syndrome?
Withdrawal syndrome is common not only with drugs and alcohol, but also with medications.
These can include sleeping pills, tranquilizers, birth control pills, and others. Let’s take a closer look at the whole range of such drugs. Here are some of the drugs that can cause withdrawal syndrome:
- Antidepressants
- Neuroleptics (antipsychotics)
- Glucocorticoids
- Psychotropic
- Barbiturates
- Opioid receptor blockers
- Olanzapine
- Contraceptives
- Psychostimulants
- Tranquilizers and sleeping pills
- Antiepileptics
It can be said that many medications cause withdrawal syndrome if certain pills are addictive. If doctors notice the syndrome in a patient, they usually just gradually reduce the dosage of a particular drug and provide psychological assistance. But this only applies to medications.
In addition to drugs, withdrawal syndrome can also be identified in the following cases:
- Opioid
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
These are the most common types of withdrawal syndrome in addicted people. At the same time, addiction may arise not only through the fault of the users themselves.
Symptoms of withdrawal from various drugs
When medication is stopped abruptly, various symptoms may occur, depending on the type of drug, duration of use, and dosage.
Here’s how it manifests itself:
Hormonal drugs (corticosteroids):
In mild cases, weakness, rapid fatigue, muscle pain, and loss of appetite are observed. In severe cases, vomiting, seizures, and a sharp drop in blood pressure are possible.
Birth control pills:
After discontinuation, women often experience irritability, painful periods, skin rashes, cycle irregularities, and severe headaches.
Heart medications:
In patients with heart disease, chest pain attacks become more frequent, physical tolerance worsens, and blood pressure may rise.
Antidepressants:
When you stop taking them, depressive symptoms, drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares, nausea, and diarrhea may return.
Sedatives and sleeping pills:
Discontinuation is accompanied by tremors in the limbs, general weakness, restlessness, muscle twitching, and in severe cases, hallucinations and delirium.
The most common withdrawal symptoms include increased blood pressure, chest pain, constant fatigue, nausea, increased sweating, and mood swings ranging from anxiety to irritability.
It is important to understand that any medication should be discontinued gradually and under the supervision of a doctor to minimize negative effects on the body.
However, given that each body is unique, as are the active ingredient, frequency of use, duration of use, the body’s tolerance, and other vital factors, symptoms may vary. For a correct assessment of withdrawal, it is necessary to immediately consult the doctor who is treating you and who is familiar with your medical history.
What are the causes of withdrawal syndrome?
Other names for withdrawal syndrome are abstinence and withdrawal state. In common parlance, people call it a hangover or withdrawal.
Most often, withdrawal syndrome after medication occurs when the patient, without the knowledge of their doctor, either interrupts treatment, exceeds the dosage of a particular drug, or changes the treatment regimen.
Therefore, withdrawal syndrome is most often caused by four reasons: reduction in dosage, irregular intervals between doses, rapid elimination of the substance from the body, sudden refusal to take the drug.
Substances that cause addiction alter many biochemical processes in the body. The use of drugs, caffeine, alcohol, and medications without medical supervision leads to physical changes and mental transformation. Pathological changes in organ function develop.
How long does withdrawal syndrome last?
The duration of withdrawal syndrome depends on the substance that the person has been using. Other factors that play a role include the person’s characteristics, how long they have been using the substance, etc. The duration of withdrawal syndrome when discontinuing:
Antidepressants. Withdrawal usually lasts two to three weeks, but people and drugs vary. If you notice that the symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome last longer than a month, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Nicotine. From several hours to several months. This may be why many people start smoking again.
Neuroleptics (psychotropic substances). Withdrawal lasts about 7-14 days, with the most severe symptoms appearing within 1-4 days. In severe cases, withdrawal lasts up to a month.
Contraceptives. When hormonal contraceptives are discontinued, many factors play a role, including the woman’s weight, menstrual cycle, and lifestyle. Full recovery can take up to six months.
Sleeping pills.
Withdrawal lasts from several days to two to three weeks. In severe cases, it can last up to six months.
Cold turkey: treatment
The methods used to treat patients during withdrawal syndrome are determined by various criteria:
Severity of symptoms. Withdrawal syndrome can manifest itself in both mild and severe forms. In total, doctors distinguish four types of withdrawal syndrome due to the use of different substances:
- Regenerative. The person is able to cope on their own.
- Stable. The syndrome progresses predictably, and with medical assistance, the risk of relapse is minimal.
- Intermittent. Withdrawal symptoms intensify, leading to a deterioration in the patient’s well-being. Close medical supervision is required.
- Degenerative. Hospitalization is necessary.
The nature of the substance taken. The course of treatment depends on what medication, drug, or alcohol the patient has been using.
The condition of the patient. The financial situation and willingness of relatives to provide assistance.
The main stages of withdrawal syndrome treatment.
Detoxification of the body. If the syndrome proceeds without exacerbations, biological methods of detoxification are prescribed: drinking plenty of fluids, intense sweating.
In case of severe symptoms, infusions are prescribed. In severe cases of drug addiction, ultra-rapid detoxification is used. In cases of alcoholism, an IV drip helps.
Correction of withdrawal stages. Sometimes, to treat withdrawal syndrome, it is necessary to continue using the addictive substance, gradually reducing the dosage. Most often, this is done only with medications, not with alcohol or drugs. However, there are also cases where this is done.
Symptomatic medications. Symptomatic medications are sometimes used to improve the patient’s condition. These may include painkillers, antipyretics, and other drugs. In any case, the decision on their use should be made by an experienced doctor.
Psychological support. Most often, withdrawal is caused not only by physical dependence, but also by psychological dependence. Therefore, to get rid of addiction, patients are prescribed individual or group psychotherapy.
Preventing withdrawal syndrome from happening again
Preventing withdrawal syndrome from happening again is super important for successfully treating substance use disorder. Here are some key steps and tips to help prevent withdrawal syndrome from coming back:
- Continuing therapy: After completing withdrawal treatment and a rehabilitation program, it is important to continue following the recommendations of specialists. Regular psychotherapy sessions and support will help strengthen your psychological state and prevent a return to substance use.
- Avoid stressful situations: Stress is one of the main causes of addiction relapse. Therefore, it is important to learn how to manage stress, develop adaptive strategies for coping with life’s difficulties, and avoid situations that may trigger the desire to return to substance use.
- Support from loved ones: Family support plays an important role in the recovery process after substance use disorder. Family and friends can help the patient feel loved, understood, and supported.
- Healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding harmful habits will help strengthen physical and emotional well-being, which helps prevent relapse of withdrawal syndrome.
- Self-help group support: Joining support groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous) can be an effective way to strengthen motivation to recover and gain support from people who have gone through similar difficulties.
It is important to remember that preventing substance use disorder relapse requires ongoing attention and effort, and each person can find the best strategies for themselves with the support of professionals and loved ones.
