Drug withdrawal occurs when a person who has become dependent on a substance suddenly reduces or stops using it, triggering a range of physical and psychological symptoms. These symptoms can be uncomfortable, dangerous, and, without proper care, potentially life-threatening. Understanding how withdrawal works is essential for safe recovery. At Pacific Interventions, we provide drug withdrawal treatment in Vancouver to help individuals manage symptoms safely and transition into sobriety with medical support.

This blog aims to explore the definition of drug withdrawal, its risk factors, and the different types of it. Pacific Intervention is here to help you manage the drug withdrawal process effectively and successfully with the fewest symptoms.

Why Does Withdrawal Happen?

When someone consistently uses alcohol or takes certain drugs, their brain may start to adapt to the use of these substances. They may finally develop a physical and psychological dependence on their substance and become entirely reliant on it to function and feel normal.

In people who become significantly dependent, withdrawal is usually an unavoidable response to the abrupt absence or decreasing blood concentration of a substance. Withdrawal symptoms may appear when a substance-dependent individual stops using a substance or considerably minimizes the dosage they are using. During withdrawal, the body tries to reach a new state of homeostasis as it disposes of any persisting chemical effect of the drug. This can lead to transient disruptions in brain chemistry and may be accompanied by significant mental and physical health consequences.

Can Withdrawal Be Life-threatening?

If not medically treated, withdrawal from specific substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines can be pretty intense and, in some cases, life-threatening.

For example, intense alcohol withdrawal is sometimes related to a syndrome known as delirium tremens. If not diagnosed and properly treated, delirium tremens can develop into severe seizures and potentially death.

Though opioid withdrawal symptoms are rarely lethal, they can be very annoying. And though the symptoms themselves may not be life-threatening, a critical risk for those trying to get rid of opioid withdrawal without medical help is returning to opioid use. Should this occur after a long enough duration of avoidance that opioid tolerance has considerably decreased, people may be at the highest risk of overdose.

In such cases, medical detox—where healthcare professionals help control withdrawal symptoms, reduce discomfort, and decrease the risk of fatal withdrawal complications—can be highly effective in early recovery and has the potential to save lives.

How Long Does Drug Withdrawal Last?

How long a drug withdrawal lasts is dependent on many different factors. Factors that influence the duration of drug withdrawal include:

• An individual’s age
• An individual’s gender
•  The physical and mental state
•  Genetics
• The type of drug detox
• The type of drug taken
• The amounts of the drug used
• Whether one or more drugs are used in the addiction
• Past drug detox history
• Supportive and therapeutic measures are in place
• The time the person has been addicted to a drug or had a drug dependence issue

Different Types of Withdrawal

You may experience specific withdrawal symptoms based on the type of substance you are taking. Several drug types can lead to withdrawal, including the following:

• Antidepressants
• Barbiturates
• Cannabis
• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepine
• Hallucinogens
•  Inhalants
• Opioids

• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine

The following are some examples of specific drugs that may result in withdrawal and the estimated duration of those symptoms:

•  Alcohol: All the people who stop drinking alcohol do not experience withdrawal symptoms, but most people who stop abruptly after drinking a considerable amount of alcohol for any length of time can experience a broad range of symptoms. Withdrawing abruptly from alcohol, especially if someone regularly drinks alcohol heavily, can trigger delirium tremens, a medical emergency that can cause confusion, hallucinations, and death.
• Heroin: Some of those who have developed a heroin addiction experience particularly severe withdrawal symptoms, but even the worst of those symptoms will become less intense in five to seven days. However, for some, post-acute withdrawal syndrome, also known as PAWS, can continue for weeks or even months.
• Marijuana: In comparison with alcohol and other substances, the withdrawal symptoms that some marijuana users face when they attempt to stop are not too severe. But some of those symptoms are vexatious enough for some that they decide to return to using the substance.
• Nicotine: Not all people who use nicotine experience the same symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. As many smokers know, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can make it challenging to quit cigarettes. There are steps you can take to decrease those symptoms, too.
• OxyContin: The intensity of OxyContin and other prescription opioid withdrawal symptoms is typically associated with how long you have used the medication and how much you used. If you took the painkiller just as prescribed, you may not face any withdrawal symptoms at all or very mild ones.

Conclusion

Drug withdrawal refers to a set of physical and psychological symptoms that happen when an individual suddenly quits or reduces their use of a substance on which they are dependent. These symptoms can vary depending on the type of drug, the duration of use, and individual factors. It is crucial to seek medical help and support when experiencing drug withdrawal to ensure safe and effective management of symptoms. Appropriate treatment and support can help individuals manage the challenges of drug withdrawal and work towards recovery and long-term sobriety.