Drug Withdrawal

Causes of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Withdrawal

The abuse of any kind of substance has the ability to negatively impact nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Regardless if an individual is drinking excessively throughout the day, injecting heroin, or misusing prescription painkillers as a means of getting high, substance abuse, in general, makes a person vulnerable to a variety of potentially deadly consequences.

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are eleven characteristics that infer a person is struggling with a substance use disorder, and the severity of an individual’s addiction is reliant on the number of criteria met. If a person experiences two or more of the following, he or she is likely battling a substance abuse problem:

• Consuming larger amounts of a substance or consuming a substance more often than originally planned
• Desiring to end one’s abuse of a substance but not being able to, or not being able to limit the amount of the substance used
• Spending a great deal of time getting, abusing, or recovering from the effects brought on by a substance
• Experiencing cravings for a substance
• Being unable to follow through with one’s responsibilities because of substance use
• Using a substance despite experiencing negative consequences
• Electing to use a substance instead of partaking in pleasurable activities
• Using a substance when it is physically hazardous to do so
• Continuing to abuse a substance despite knowing that it has caused problems
• Developing a tolerance
• Experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal when not using a substance

It is important to note that those who abuse a substance to such an extent that tolerance develops or withdrawal symptoms emerge when not using that substance are likely in need of treatment at a rehab center, should they wish to end their substance abuse concerns.

Tolerance for a substance signifies that an individual’s body has become accustomed to the presence of the given substance, and, thusly, requires more of it in order to function. This effect of ongoing substance abuse can, in many instances, mean that a person is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if he or she suddenly stop his or her use. Generally speaking, the process of withdrawal can be quite uncomfortable and the symptoms experienced can cause an individual to return to the use of his or her substance of choice so as to prevent these symptoms from returning. For this reason and more, it is important for a person who is batting a substance use disorder to consider seeking professional treatment at a rehab center that is equipped to care for the complex nature of chemical dependency and the withdrawal process.

Signs of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Withdrawal

One of the most telling signs that an individual is grappling with an addiction is the onset of withdrawal symptoms in the event that person stops his or her abuse of a substance. Reliant on the type of substance or mixture of substances that an individual is abusing, the kind of withdrawal symptoms that are experienced can differ. The following list of symptoms are examples of those that a person can experience during the process of withdrawal:

• Nausea
• Sleep disturbances
• Stomach cramping or pain
• Depressed mood
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Suicidal ideation
• Sweating
• Accelerated heartrate
• Irritability
• Drastic shifts in mood
• Agitation
• Anxious feelings
• Appetite changes
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Headache
• Teary eyes
• Vomiting
• Poor concentration
• Problems with vision
• Runny nose
• Aggression
• Bone pain
• Changes in body temperature
• Changes in weight
• Cravings
• Shakiness
• Memory impairment

At a rehab center, a professional who is trained to identify and treat chemical dependency can assist you or someone you care about in determining if an addiction is present. Should a professional of this kind be consulted, it could be helpful to report if any of the above withdrawal symptoms are happening.

Why Seek Treatment for Addiction at The Camp Recovery Center

Substance abuse is a concern that certainly warrants professional care. Given the fact that the abuse of substances can pose many risks to an individual’s overall wellbeing, it is crucial to consider options for this type of care that are proven effective. By seeking treatment from a rehab center, many of the adverse effects of substance abuse can be minimized.

For those who do not seek treatment, enduring the process of withdrawal can compromise their efforts to refrain from the use of substances. Because withdrawal can be alleviated by using one’s substance of choice once more, this process has the ability to keep a person trapped in the insidious cycle of substance abuse. However, this pattern can be broken. By engaging in rehab that includes care for the process of withdrawal, an individual has a greater chance of reaching his or her recovery goals.

An example of a rehab option that offers care for those experiencing withdrawal is residential treatment. With readily available support, a safe environment in which to focus on recovery, and proven effective interventions incorporated into the daily treatment experience, residential treatment enables men and women to receive the care they need both during and after the withdrawal process occurs. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses are also on-hand in residential treatment center settings to supervise the withdrawal process in order to preserve the wellbeing of those entrusted into their care. In sum, by participating in residential care that includes treatment for withdrawal, a person can make great strides towards becoming sober.

The Camp Recovery Center, Northern California’s leading center for substance abuse and dual diagnosis residential rehab, is pleased to offer the care people need to win the war against addiction. Our rehab center is located conveniently to the Santa Cruz and San Jose, CA areas. If you or an important person in your life is suffering from an addiction and requires detox in order to persevere through the withdrawal process and work towards achieving true recovery, look no further than The Camp. Our helpful staff is standing by and is ready to answer any question that you or a loved one may have about our center.