Addiction withdrawal occurs because the brain functions like a spring. Alcohol and drugs are brain depressant that compresses the spring – it’s just like repressing the brain’s production of noradrenaline.
The moment you stop taking drugs, you’re also taking the weight off the spring. When this happens, your brain rebounds by releasing a surge of adrenaline that causes withdrawal syndrome.
What Is Drug Withdrawal Syndrome?
Drug withdrawal syndrome is a condition experienced by individuals who try to stop or minimize taking drugs after developing physiological dependence on them.
It is important to note that the effects of drug withdrawal vary across different drugs. The severity of the drug withdrawal symptoms dramatically depends on the substance someone is addicted to.
A journal compared addiction withdrawal manifestation as regards to different drugs. In the study, the agents compared are alcohol, cocaine, opiates, and barbiturates. For chronic alcoholism, common signs experienced in the face of withdrawal are hypertension, hyperventilation, etc.
The drug withdrawal syndrome for opiates manifests a little differently. It is very uncomfortable but not dangerous, except they are combined with other drugs. Heroin withdrawal does not cause seizures, strokes, and delirium tremens. However, a person can experience symptoms like dilated pupils, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Does Withdrawing Mean I Am an Addict?
It is only natural to experience withdrawal symptoms after ceasing to use a particular substance. However, this is a much broader scope. A lot of people get addicted to drugs because of the high it elicits. Eventually, when they try to cut down or stop using those substances, they face severe withdrawal symptoms.
Now people who continuously take a particular prescribed medication for an underlying condition could also face withdrawal symptoms.
In this case, they don’t use the drugs because of the high; they use it because it is prescribed to help manage their condition and/or pain. This is usually the case for people on constant medication for chronic back pain.
This set of individuals will require an appointment with their doctor to help prescribe a different drug to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Also, these individuals don’t necessarily need rehab to get better. Their doctor can handle such cases of withdrawal since the usage is under prescription and the medication was only taken as prescribed.
So to sum the above up, the fact that you experience withdrawal symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you are an addict.
How to Get Help With Drug Addiction if You’re an Addict
If you or your loved one is addicted to your drugs or going through drug withdrawal syndrome, it is vital to carefully manage the situation. Before you talk to him or her about treatment options, you need to approach them with empathy and ask if they will consider going to a recovery center.
Many addiction treatment centers exist to suit the specific need of the individual. Whether you’re searching for self-help groups, outpatient or inpatient treatment, Hillside Mission has the best options for anyone looking to beat addiction.
Hillside Mission is an inpatient rehab facility in Mission Viejo, California. Not only does our facility offer tested and trusted treatment plans for addiction and substance abuse, our facility also offers a beautiful and conducive environment for addiction recovery.
We also created a Aftercare & Alumni program. This helps ensure our clients maintain long lasting recovery.
Addiction and withdrawal symptoms are best handled by a facility committed to ensuring each client gets the help they need. And that description best fits what Hillside Mission represents.
If you are battling addiction and withdrawal syndrome, there is hope. Contact us today to get started on your journey to achieving sobriety!
