When you use certain drugs repeatedly for an extended time, your brain and body adjust to having a certain amount of that substance circulating in your system. Eventually, chronic substance use causes physical and functional changes to the brain and how it works.
In time, the dopamine levels needed to feel good exceed what the brain produces naturally. Higher and more frequent doses of drugs are necessary to achieve feelings or emotions once linked to day-to-day events such as a conversation with friends, eating chocolate, a kiss from a loved one, or going for a walk. When the brain can no longer elicit these feelings naturally, physical dependency is a sign.
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Our team is standing by to address your questions. Your call is confidential and no obligation is required.
When you develop a dependence on drugs and try to reduce or quit using them, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal occurs when your body tries to function without substances. It’s the body and brain’s attempt to adapt to a “new normal” as you try to reduce or entirely stop using. Drug addiction withdrawal can be a combination of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms, some of which can become overwhelming when you try to stop using without help from a drug detox program.
When you begin detoxing from drugs, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. The signs and symptoms of drug withdrawal and the severity of withdrawal symptoms depend on several factors. These include the drug you used, the severity of your addiction, and your history with addiction treatment and relapse.
The specific drug addiction withdrawal symptoms you may experience during detox are often unique to the individual and the substance or substances you use. Also, the drug addiction withdrawal timeline varies based on the specific drug and how the drug acts within the body.2
The process of drug detox can take on a variety of different forms. There are different levels of care or detox program types like addiction treatment. The best program for you will depend on the type of addiction (type of substance) and the severity of your addiction. These different detox options will be detailed below.
Some substances such as opioids and benzodiazepines can cause dangerous, life-threatening addiction symptoms. It’s crucial to detox in an environment where you have access to medical support in these cases. In many cases, this is at a residential withdrawal or residential detox program.
Opioid drugs can produce short or long-acting effects. Short-acting opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers are meant to act quickly on the body, and therefore, they don’t last as long in your system. When you stop taking a short-acting opioid, withdrawal symptoms will emerge within 8 to 24 hours and last for a week to ten days. Long-acting opioids such as methadone may take up to four days for withdrawal symptoms to present. In most cases, these symptoms will fade within ten days.4
Detox isn’t easy. The struggle to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety looks different for everyone, and it’s impossible to predict who will experience severe withdrawal side effects. Our team at Essence Health and Wellness is here to help you progress through the stages of withdrawal using the most effective drug withdrawal therapies and treatments.
Depending on your needs, drug withdrawal medications are integrated into your detox plan to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Using medications for drug withdrawal as part of a drug withdrawal treatment program can help ease the intensity of specific withdrawal symptoms and allow you to focus on healing from addiction. If you’re ready to begin your sobriety journey, let us help. Contact us today to get help now to overcome addiction.
At EHW, we accept health insurance plans from most providers. If you are covered by a private or commercial insurance policy, your plan may cover your substance use and mental health treatment costs.