Withdrawal symptoms: How detox helps

Medical detox is a process that helps people withdraw from addicting drugs safely and systematically under the close supervision of a medical professional. Alcohol and drug use over a long time makes your body completely dependent on the drug or alcohol. A person with this type of dependence will suffer from withdrawal symptoms when he or she stops using the substances. Detoxification is designed to cure the immediate bodily effects caused by a sudden cessation of drugs or alcohol use and to eliminate toxins left behind by chemicals in the drugs or alcohol. Detox is quite useful in preventing unpleasant or even fatal consequences caused by sudden cessation of use. The first stage of detox can be quite intense for most patients which is why it is important to have a medical or psychiatric professional close at hand to give the patient all the necessary care and support he or she requires.

The most common withdrawal symptoms that develop after cessation from drug use include:

• Mood disturbances which are characterized by irritability, mood swings, and constant agitation.
• Insomnia or lack of sleep despite the body being constantly fatigued
• Physical problems such as chills, sweating heavily, shakes and tremors, and flu-like conditions such as running nose, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
• Strong craving. The patient will naturally go through a period of intense craving for the drug of choice to relieve the withdrawal unpleasantness.

Different types of drugs have different types of withdrawal effects in addition to the ones listed above. A few substance-specific withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Alcohol and benzodiazepines

These two drugs have similar effects on the body. Withdrawal symptoms after cessation of use include anxiety, hallucinations, agitation, seizures and tremors.

• Opioids including heroin and painkillers

Withdrawal symptoms for opioids include aching muscles, pain in joints and bones, high sensitivity to pain, and gastrointestinal distress.

• Stimulants such as methamphetamines and cocaine

Withdrawal symptoms for cocaine and meth can cause mental issues such as depression and suicidal behavior.

• Marijuana

Most people are misled to believe marijuana is not addictive but it is and cessation of use can cause withdrawal effects such as aggression, depression, fever, sweating, and stomach pain among others.

• Bath salts or synthetic cathinones

A person going through detox from bath salts experiences withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, depression, sleep disturbances, and paranoia.

No matter which type of drug you are addicted to, detox should always be done at a medical facility. This is the safest option you have especially when the resulting physical and mental effects are an issue. In some occasions, withdrawal effects can cause serious health issues that will require immediate medical attention. For instance, withdrawal from meth and cocaine can cause serious depression or suicidal tendencies. In such cases, inpatient detox at a facility run by professional medical experts with experience in treating withdrawal effects is highly recommended. Do not attempt to detox at home. A good detox facility such as Detox of South Florida will provide you with a 24-hour medical attention and monitoring to ensure your detox procedure is as painless and less strenuous as possible.

Dr. Vikram Tarugu MD

Dr. Vikram Tarugu, M.D, is the CEO of Detox of South Florida, Inc and medical professional focused on addiction. A veteran in the medical field with over 25 years of professional experience. He is a consultant for many South Florida Rehab centers. Patients travel from allover the US to seek his help with addiction and Hepatitis C treatment.