Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

A person with a dependency on drugs may be hooked physically, psychologically or emotionally. Addicts experience intense cravings for the drug, and those who stop can suffer withdrawal symptoms. Some drugs will produce more severe withdrawal symptoms than other drugs. A person trying to quit drugs will often need the help and support from her physician, family and friends.

Depressants

• Withdrawal symptoms from central nervous system depressants may include anxiety, restlessness, sweating, and sleep disorders. In more serious cases, the person can experience tremors, hallucinations, seizures, increased heart rate, body temperatures, and blood pressure. In severe cases, there can be life-threatening delirium.

Stimulants

• Withdrawal symptoms from central nervous system stimulants include anxiety, depression, fatigue, and extreme cravings. There can also be thoughts of suicide, paranoia and acute psychosis.

Mild

• Opioids include heroine, oxycodone, codeine, and morphine. Withdrawal symptoms for opioids can range from minor to severe. The minor withdrawal symptoms can include sweating, runny nose, anxiety, and cravings for the drug.

Severe

• Severe withdrawal symptoms from opioids include depression, rapid pulse, heavy breathing, high blood pressure, stomach cramping, muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and dilated pupils. There will also be an extreme craving for the drug. Synthetic opiate is often used to help wean addicts off the drug.

Treatment

• After detoxification and suffering through the withdrawal symptoms, there are self-help and addiction treatment programs to help the addict. This includes counseling., treatment programs and self-help groups.