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Long-Term Effects of Withdrawal

Withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur when you abruptly stop, or reduce the dosage of the intake of certain drugs. For you to experience the long-term effects however, you must have become addicted or physically dependent on these drugs. Some long-term effects of withdrawal can last for weeks or several months, depending on the drug. The most common drugs known to have long-term withdrawal effects include narcotics, cannabis, depressants, hallucinogens and stimulants.

  1. Persistent and Severe Anxiety

    • One of the most common long-term effects of withdrawal from an addictive drug is anxiety. This refers to excessive and constant worry and fear. Anxieties that persist for weeks or months often results in anxiety disorder or panic attacks. You may lose focus or concentration, even while performing tasks you could do previously. Persistent and severe anxiety can be managed by combining psychological counseling and medications as directed by your doctor. Withdrawal from narcotics such as codeine, morphine and heroin, or cannabis drugs such as marijuana, as well as stimulants including cocaine may cause alternating ecstasy and anxiety.

    Chronic Insomnia

    • Insomnia refers to a condition in which you experience constant difficulty getting restful sleep, which may persist over months or even years. Withdrawal from cannabis drugs such as marijuana, depressants such as alcohol, or sedatives such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines and methamphetamine, are known to cause insomnia. For instance; sedatives tranquillize the nervous system and, once you are addicted to benzodiazepines such as Valium, you may suffer from autonomic nervous system hyperactivity or schizophrenia known to cause insomnia after you attempt withdrawal. Chronic insomnia is usually accompanied by fatigue and lack of motivation. Doctors treat chronic insomnia by prescribing sedatives such as olanzapine, quetiapine, or clozapine to patients.

    Seizures and Convulsions

    • Withdrawal from depressants such as alcohol, or stimulants such as cocaine, can cause over-excitability in the nervous system resulting in seizure or convulsions. Seizures can sometimes be very fatal and, depending on when and where you fall, your body may sustain injuries. If you already suffer from depression, fatigue or insomnia, they may increase your tendency to suffer from seizure. Epilepsy drugs with few side effects are often used to control seizure, as many people respond well to them, and seizures stop or lessen after a few years of medication. However, prescriptions should only be given by a doctor.

    Prolonged Depression

    • Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. It refers to a situation where you feel hopelessly sad while experiencing lack of motivation, low moods or loss of interest at the same time. The low moods during withdrawal may be brief, although they may sometimes lead to serious, prolonged depressive illness. Withdrawal from cannabis drugs like marijuana, narcotics such as codeine, Morphine, heroin or stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, may lead to depression and persist for two weeks or more.

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