How to Force Onset of Withdrawal

Withdrawal is a stage most people go through when they quit an addiction. Withdrawal occurs when you decrease usage or completely stop using an addictive substance on which your body has become physically dependent. These include alcohol, nicotine and recreational or prescription drugs. Withdrawal symptoms can be as mild as a headache and a few cravings or as severe as seizures and extreme depression. However, withdrawal is often a necessary step to quitting an addiction. Once you've decided you want to quit, there are several different methods you can employ to induce your own withdrawal stage.

Instructions

• 1

  Get professional help and advice. Talk about your addiction with someone you trust, like your doctor, therapist or pastor. Ask them for help formulating a plan to help you quit. Make follow-up appointments with that person or ask him to check up on you regularly as you follow the plan. If you are attempting to quit an addiction that has severe withdrawal symptoms, like alcohol dependency or a psychoactive drug like Benzodiazepine, you may need to make arrangements for a hospital stay.

• 2

  Enlist the help of friends and family if you intend to quit on your own. The people you're closest to can help you get to the withdrawal stage of quitting an addiction in various ways. Ask them to help you stay on track. For example, if you're trying to quit drinking, say no to your bar-hopping buddies and ask them not to tempt you by inviting you out drinking. Ask your roommate or spouse to monitor you as you quit and take you to the hospital if necessary. If you are worried about backsliding, ask someone you respect to remind you about why you need to quit if you start to waver.

• 3

  Check into a rehabilitation center. This method is nearly guaranteed to force the onset of withdrawal because you'll be moving to a completely new environment which won't allow you to revert back to your old ways. A rehab center provides a safe and drug-free environment, as well as education about addiction and how to quit. The staff members at a rehab center are typically trained to help you quit and get through the withdrawal stage.