As a person’s mind and body become more dependent on drugs or alcohol, it makes it more difficult for them to quit using these substances in the future.
The body gradually adapts to these substances and even changes the way it functions over time. When a person attempts to suddenly stop using drugs or alcohol after a long period of abuse, their body may react and they may experience withdrawal symptoms. As a drug treatment facility in Texas, we know that going through withdrawal can be a difficult process. We’re sharing what happens to your body during withdrawal and a safe detox option for recovery.
What Is Drug Withdrawal?
Withdrawal refers to a combination of psychological and behavioral symptoms that a person may experience when they suddenly reduce their use of or stop using drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms commonly occur in people who are dependent or addicted to prescription drugs, cocaine, heroin, meth, alcohol, or other similar substances. Withdrawal symptoms occur because these substances create a dependency in the body. For example, drugs like opioids act on a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine. This chemical is responsible for sending signals of pleasure and a variety of other roles. The brain naturally releases dopamine when we do something we enjoy or find pleasurable. Opioids force the release of dopamine, flooding the central nervous system (CNS). This produces a burst of euphoria that users become addicted to.
While the euphoria and side effects are what initially hooked users, the physical and mental dependency they develop on the substance itself is what contributes to their addiction. Banyan Treatment Centers Texas offers a variety of addiction treatment programs in Waelder to tackle these changes and help people recover.
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What Happens to Your Body During the Process of Withdrawal?
Although the idea of withdrawal is clear, what’s the science behind it? Withdrawal symptoms are the result of the body’s attempt to regulate itself. The brain and body work hard to maintain a balance known as homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the body’s attempt to reach equilibrium by regulating and maintaining factors like body temperature, fluid balance, and chemical balance. Using drugs or alcohol can change the balance of these factors, forcing the body and brain to adjust by changing things like neurotransmitter levels. These substances work by targeting neurotransmitters in the brain. Over time, the goal of your body’s homeostasis adapts so it caters to drugs and alcohol.
The process of addiction begins with tolerance, which is when your body becomes accustomed to a certain amount or quantity of a substance. A person may then need to take more of these substances to experience the same side effects as when they first used them. Tolerance then contributes to dependence, which is when your body needs drugs and alcohol to avoid withdrawals. Long-term substance abuse eventually results in addiction, which is a chronic disease characterized by the inability to control your drug or alcohol use. Our detox programs at Banyan Texas offer treatment for withdrawals as well as medical assistance. These are safe options for detox that can make the rest of the recovery process much smoother.
Common Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity of alcohol and drug detox symptoms depends on factors including the type of substance, how long the person has been using it, whether they’ve used other substances, and their health. Stimulants like cocaine and meth usually produce psychological symptoms, whereas detoxing from substances like opioids and alcohol can cause a range of both mental and physical side effects.
Some common alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Shakes
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Muscle cramps, aches, and pains
- Muscle tension
- Increased appetite
- Dehydration
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Depression
- Insomnia or difficulties sleeping
- Difficulties concentrating
- Restlessness and irritability
- Hallucinations
- Delirium
- Seizures
Withdrawal symptoms of drug abuse or alcoholism can last anywhere from several days to several weeks.
Safe Detox Options at Banyan Texas
Attempting to go through the stages of withdrawal symptoms on your own can be painful and even life-threatening. The safest form of detox is a medically monitored detox. Our addiction treatment center in Texas offers medically monitored detox for substances including alcohol, benzos, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, opioids, and prescription drugs. The detox treatments at our facility are led by our medical team, which is comprised of trained and licensed experts who know what happens to your body during withdrawal and how to properly treat patients’ symptoms. Patients in our medical detox programs receive 24-hour care and supervision to ensure their safety. Our medical staff may also administer medication when necessary in order to alleviate any discomfort or pain caused by withdrawal symptoms.
All of our programs are led by addiction treatment experts who have helped people recover from the most commonly abused drugs in Texas and more. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, finding a rehab that offers safe and effective treatment is crucial. Call us now at 888-280-4763 to learn about the levels of care we offer at our facility and how we can help.
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