Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal in Morristown, NJ
Detoxification from an addictive substance can be an excruciating physical, mental, and emotional ordeal. Alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms can result in a premature end to recovery, when individuals find themselves turning back to addictive behaviors in order to escape the discomfort. Experts agree that when it comes to treating addiction, and especially when dealing with alcohol and drug withdrawal, involving medical supervision and guidance is the best way to ensure safety and success.
Withdrawal Basics
When we talk about alcohol and drug withdrawal, we’re referring to the changes experienced within the brain when the use of an addictive substance is discontinued. These changes are typified by the chemical imbalance that occurs as the brain attempts to recalibrate its “normal” chemical levels.
Over time, drug or alcohol abuse creates a tolerance within the brain for the addictive properties of the substance, meaning that the brain functions more predictably when drugs or alcohol are present than when they are not. When the body begins detoxification, the changes in the brain begin to reverse themselves, leading to the symptoms of withdrawal. These withdrawal symptoms are a primary tool for diagnosing physical dependence.
Why Medical Detox is Vital
Medical detox simply refers to detoxification that occurs under the guidance and supervision of medical professionals, who can administer medications and provide various other forms of support. Not only is medical detox inherently safer (this is of special importance when detoxing from addictive depressants, as these can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms), it’s also been shown to require less time and prove more successful than other forms of detox.
Withdrawal Symptoms and the Medications Used to Treat Them
Symptoms of drug and alcohol withdrawal can vary based on the severity of addiction and the general health of the individual in recovery, among other factors. The intensity of the symptoms can also range from mild for some, to severe for others.
Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms frequently include feelings of depression and anxiety, hallucinations, tremors, paranoia, and seizures. In severe cases, these symptoms can be life-threatening. Paroxetine is a medication commonly used to ease depression and insomnia, while gabapentin is an antiepileptic used to treat seizures.
Opioid Withdrawal
Withdrawal from opioids like heroin or hydrocodone often consists of hot and cold sweats, aching muscles, nausea and vomiting, and anxiousness. When necessary, medical detox of these drugs involves the use of methadone and buprenorphine to palliate the severity of the symptoms.
Stimulant Withdrawal
When the use of stimulants like methamphetamine, cocaine, and Adderall are discontinued, withdrawal can entail deep depression, anxiety, paranoia, and even psychosis. The most commonly used medication in cases of stimulant withdrawal is bupropion, which treats depression and reduces sleep disturbances.
Sedative Withdrawal
Xanax and Valium are two commonly abused benzodiazepines whose withdrawal symptoms include tremors, sweating, agitation, fever, and heightened nervous function such as increased blood pressure and heart rate. Withdrawing from the use of these and other sedatives can be dangerous, and rather than being treated with medication, the associated withdrawal symptoms are minimized and controlled by tapering off the use of the drug rather than stopping it at once. Give Morristown Drug Treatment Centers a call today.