How to Identify Substance Abuse

Protecting our loved ones is always paramount. With that being said, substance abuse in teens and young adults has been on a record rise in the United States of America since 2018. With the common practice of over-prescription of opiates post injury or surgery, it is no question that conditions that typically result in addiction from abuse are now common in most homes. Do you know what addiction withdrawal looks like so that you can get your loved ones the help that they desperately need?

What Are Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?

Addiction withdrawal symptoms are a challenging yet natural part of your recovery journey from alcohol or drug dependence. You need to empower yourself to properly identify these symptoms, so you can help yourself or your loved ones to gradually become free from substance use, dependence, and addiction.

Keep reading to find out why it is important for you to pinpoint addiction withdrawal symptoms. Find out what these withdrawal symptoms are and how you can manage them.

Why It Is Important to Identify Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?

It is essential that you learn how to correctly identify alcohol withdrawal symptoms and other types of withdrawal symptoms. Here are the main reasons why:

Increasing Number of Persons Using Illicit Substances in the U.S.

One important reason why you should gain the ability to recognize withdrawal symptoms is the growing number of persons who are using illegal substances in the United States. You need to increase your basic knowledge to recognize these symptoms, especially since chances are high that you or someone you know are possible users of illicit drugs.

The widespread use of illegal substances in the country is an alarming sign that many people are vulnerable to growing physically and emotionally dependent on these drugs.

An estimated 11.7% of persons who are 12 years old and above have used illicit drugs in a single month during 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Approximately 2% of individuals who are 12 years of age and older have used psychotherapeutic drugs without a prescription during a single month in 2018.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reveals that 19.3 million people in the U.S. who are 18 years old and above had a substance use disorder (SUD) as of 2019. From this group, 7.4 million are struggling with the use of illicit drugs, 14.1 million are dependent on alcohol, while 2.2 million are addicted to both drugs and alcohol. These are the startling results of the 2019 presentation of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Given these statistics, it’s not surprising that a lot of individuals are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and other forms of withdrawal symptoms. Maybe you or one of your friends or family members are one of them.

Withdrawal symptoms are warning signs that could alert you if someone in your circle is possibly addicted or dependent on alcohol or drugs. The earlier you detect these signs, the better.

Opportunity to Help Yourself And Others in the Recovery Process

Another major reason why you should develop the capacity to spot withdrawal symptoms is the opportunity to help yourself or other individuals. You can empower yourself or others to start the recovery process or to move on to the next level of your journey.

Recognizing withdrawal symptoms allows you to minimize the negative effects of substance abuse on your physical and mental health condition.

This is significant because alcohol and drug abuse could lead to a myriad of physical illnesses, mental health issues, financial struggles, emotional turmoil, and social alienation. In some extreme cases, prolonged substance abuse may even lead to death.

It’s crucial that you learn how to identify withdrawal symptoms of illicit drug or alcohol use, so you and your loved ones can start weaning yourself from substance dependence as early as possible.

What Are Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?

Perhaps you or your relative or friend have used illegal drugs or over-use alcohol on a regular basis. It is also possible that you may have misused prescription drugs as well that have now created a sense of dependency on them for normal daily life.

This illicit usage could make you susceptible to the development of physiological dependence on these substances. This is especially true if you have regularly consumed them in high enough amounts, for extended periods of time without medical supervision or consumption monitoring.

If you develop a dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs, you may potentially experience drug withdrawal symptoms once you try weaning yourself from them.

If you know what these symptoms are, it may become easier for you to eventually quit taking these substances. You can also offer better support to your friends or family members who are undergoing a similar recovery process.

What Are the Different Types of Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?

Withdrawal symptoms may vary with each person based on age, physical condition, length of usage, level of dependence on a substance, and other factors.



However, the main factor that determines your withdrawal symptoms is the type of substance that you or your loved one is dependent on.

Read on to discover the various kinds of addiction withdrawal symptoms based on the substances involved.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a sedative hypnotic drug that depresses the central nervous system and causes drunkenness. It is popularly consumed in beverage form, including beer, wine, gin, whiskey, and cocktails. Recovering alcoholics may possibly experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms once they try to wean themselves from alcohol.

• Common Symptoms: According to the American Family Physician journal, these symptoms may range from minor to major conditions. Minor symptoms may include insomnia and trembling. On the other hand, severe symptoms could include delirium and withdrawal seizures. A physical examination and history review are typically enough to diagnose alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Just keep in mind that other conditions may also involve similar symptoms.

• Typical Treatment: If you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you may possibly be treated as an outpatient. You may potentially undergo pharmacologic treatment, which entails the use of medications that are cross-tolerant with alcohol.
  

Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants, including Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. People who have grown physiologically dependent on benzodiazepines may experience benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

• Common Symptoms: Based on a PubMed study, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome commonly causes mental health symptoms like panic attacks, anxiety, tension, irritability, difficulty in concentration, and sleep problems. The physical symptoms brought about by this syndrome may include sweating, hand tremors, weight loss, nausea, dry vomiting, headache, palpitations, muscle pain, and muscle stiffness.

• Typical Treatment: If you have developed benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, you may consider undergoing benzodiazepine detoxification. This detox treatment usually occurs in a treatment facility or a hospital setting.
  

Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant drug which originates from coca leaves (Erythroxylon coca). According to the Australian Government Department of Health, persons who become dependent on cocaine typically experience cocaine withdrawal syndrome.

• Common Symptoms: These are the three phases of cocaine withdrawal syndrome:
• Phase 1: “The Crash” is characterized by symptoms like tiredness, irritability, anxiety, acute dysphoria, an increase in appetite and sleepiness, and a decrease in cocaine cravings.
• Phase 2: “Withdrawal” involves poor concentration, mild lethargy and irritability, and an increased desire for cocaine.
• Phase 3: “Extinction” entails sporadic urges to use cocaine.
  

• Typical Treatment: If you are suffering from cocaine withdrawal syndrome, you can participate in a cocaine detoxification program. These detox programs can play a major role in managing and monitoring your withdrawal symptoms. They could aid you in establishing sobriety and avoiding future relapses.
  

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. This prescription drug is usually given to patients experiencing extreme pain. It resembles morphine, yet is 50 to 100 times more powerful. Persons who grow dependent on fentanyl may encounter withdrawal symptoms.

• Common Symptoms: According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), fentanyl withdrawal may bring about uncomfortable symptoms like muscle pain, bone pain, cold flashes, vomiting, diarrhea, involuntary leg movements, and strong cravings for fentanyl.

• Typical Treatment: A combination of medication with behavioral therapies (MAT) may be beneficial for you if you are undergoing fentanyl withdrawal symptoms. This treatment combo may enable you to gradually change your attitude and behavior related to fentanyl use.
  

Heroin

Heroin is an opioid drug that is created from morphine. Morphine is a natural substance originating from the seed pod of poppy plants. Heroin addiction involves a great risk of overdose and death. Individuals who are dependent on heroin may start having withdrawal symptoms as early as a few hours from their last usage.

• Common Symptoms: Heroin withdrawal symptoms are often characterized by restlessness, sleep problems, bone pain, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cold flashes, uncontrollable leg motions, and extreme cravings for heroin. Persons who suddenly stop using heroin may encounter severe withdrawal symptoms, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health.

• Typical Treatment: Medical detoxification in a substance abuse center may be a viable treatment for you if you have grown dependent on heroin. This type of detox therapy is considered as a comfortable way to withdraw while being monitored and supported.
  

Prescription Opiates

Opiates are a group of prescription drugs used as painkillers, such as tramadol, codeine, and Dilaudid. People who take opiates in high doses are susceptible to becoming dependent on these drugs. They are likely to experience opiate withdrawal if they stop taking prescription opiates.

• Common Symptoms: Opiate withdrawal usually involves symptoms like agitation, anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, stomach pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and unstable blood pressure. According to the Addiction Center, opiate withdrawal has four stages:
• Anticipatory
• Early acute
• Fully developed acute
• Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)

• Typical Treatment: Opiate detoxification may be a suitable treatment for you if you have developed a dependence on prescription opiates. This type of detox usually entails medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and creative expression activities.
  

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug derived from amphetamine. This white, odorless powder affects the body’s central nervous system. Individuals who have developed dependence on this drug may experience amphetamine withdrawal syndrome.

• Common Symptoms: Methamphetamine or amphetamine withdrawal syndrome is typically accompanied by symptoms like irritability, pains, aches, depression, and social function impairment, according to the Australian Government Department of Health.

• Typical Treatment: Self-detoxification is popular among amphetamine users. However, if you want to overcome methamphetamine dependence, you may consider undergoing medically supervised withdrawal in the form of in-patient or outpatient detoxification.
  

Marijuana

Marijuana is a mind-altering drug originating from the dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. It is commonly known as pot, dope, weed, or cannabis. It is considered as the most widely used illicit drug in the country. Approximately 8.4% of Americans over 12 years old used marijuana in a span of a month, based on the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

You may possibly struggle with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) if you become physiologically dependent on marijuana. Take note that marijuana withdrawal is likely to last longer compared to other drug withdrawal syndromes.

• Common Symptoms: Marijuana withdrawal is usually characterized by physical symptoms, such as headaches, sweating, tremors, fever, chills, and stomach discomfort. It may also involve psychological symptoms like insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability, and reduced appetite, according to the American Addiction Centers (AAC).

• Typical Treatment: If you are experiencing marijuana withdrawal syndrome, you have the option of undergoing marijuana detoxification at detox facilities. This type of withdrawal is typically treated with behavioral therapies since there is currently no approved medications for marijuana dependence. Three kinds of therapy have been considered effective in treating marijuana withdrawal syndrome:
• Contingency management
• Motivational enhancement therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  

Take the Next Step to Recovery with the Help of a Local Substance Abuse Rehab Center

Withdrawal symptoms from various types of illicit substances are an unpleasant, but realistic part of your recovery from alcohol or drug dependence. You may need to experience them before you get completely better, but you may possibly overcome them through professional help, family support, and sheer determination.

Now that you are aware of what the common withdrawal symptoms are, you can quickly recognize what type of withdrawal symptoms you or your loved ones are experiencing. You can also easily pinpoint which specific type of substance dependence could be causing them.

As a result, you now have a better idea of what kind of treatment you, your family members, or your friends need. Properly identifying alcohol withdrawal symptoms and other similar symptoms can keep you on the right track and guide you to take the right steps towards recovery.

One of the next steps you should take is to seek the help of a substance abuse rehab center in GA. Contact your local rehab center in Georgia today to get started on the road to recovery and freedom.