Alcohol and drugs abuse is a public health issue worldwide, ranking seventh among the top causes of death and disability.

As a result, most doctors deal with their patient’s difficulties. Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the United States. Alcoholism is a chronic illness that affects millions of Americans and their families each year. In other words, between 2 and 7% of patients hospitalized for general medical treatment that has a history of significant alcohol use will experience acute alcohol withdrawal.

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

Withdrawal syndrome, also known as discontinuation syndrome, affects people who have acquired a physiological reliance on drugs or alcohol and then stop or cut back on their use. Withdrawal is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops using or reduces their consumption of a substance like alcohol or prescription or recreational medications.

If you quit taking a substance with a high potential for addiction unexpectedly or abruptly, or dramatically reduce your use, you may suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the type of substance and your biological make-up, the strength and length of these withdrawal symptoms might vary greatly.

Withdrawal may be painful and, in some situations, hazardous. As a result, you should always see your doctor before discontinuing or lowering your drug usage.

What Happens When a Person Tries to Withdraw Alcohol & Drugs?

When a person is dependent on alcohol or drugs suddenly stops using them, they may experience withdrawal. It is crucial to remember recovery is a process as your brain adjusts to being sober.

When someone is withdrawing from alcohol or drugs may experience fatigue, sweats, shakes, nausea, and vomiting—and these symptoms can be severe enough to require medical attention. The only way to avoid withdrawal symptoms is to continue using alcohol or drugs. For someone who has an addiction, this can be dangerous because it increases the risk of overdose.

Symptoms of Alcohol and Drugs Withdrawal

When a person tries to withdraw from alcohol or drugs, several symptoms may develop. Some of these symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Depressed mood
• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting (when withdrawing from alcohol)
• Tremors (when withdrawing from alcohol)
• Sweating
• Headache
• Insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns
• Loss of appetite

The type of symptoms, their intensity, and the treatment needed for withdrawal depends on many factors, including:

• The intensity and duration of the person’s addiction
• How the individual’s body processes the drug
• The presence of any pre-existing mental or physical health conditions
• Presence of other drugs in the person’s body

Alcohol and drug withdrawal can be dangerous and even deadly, so it is significant to go through the process with the help of a psychologist or therapist.

Withdrawal symptoms are different for each person, so you should consult the best psychologist or therapist who can help create an alcohol disorder treatment plan to make the process as safe and comfortable as possible.

How to Manage Alcohol & Drug Withdrawal Symptoms?

The best thing you can do to manage alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms is getting help. Alcohol and drugs can be addictive. If you get caught in their downward spirals, It can be hard to break free.

Take Medical Help

If you think you might have an issue with drugs or alcohol, we recommend that you seek medical help in the form of an addiction specialist or mental health provider who can provide a detox program and who has experience treating your symptoms. Alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms can range from mild anxiety to seizures and life-threatening complications; you must find someone you trust who has the expertise needed to keep you safe while going through detox.

Work with a therapist experienced in treating people with addictions so that they can help you stay sober after detox and create a plan for managing your addiction long-term.

Be in a Safe Environment

Make sure you have a safe environment where you can go through withdrawal. If you cannot be alone, make sure you have family or friends with you who can support you while you detox.

Track Your Symptoms

Track your symptoms so that, if they get worse, you can alert your doctor right away. If they seem manageable, make sure to write down anything that makes them better or worse so that next time, you know what works and what doesn’t work for your body.

Take Enough Sleep

Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. These may seem like simple tips, but both will help your body recover from the stress of detoxification and heal itself faster than it would otherwise.

Cut Off Caffeine and Sugar Intake

Cut back on caffeine and sugar intake as much as possible. These substances make it harder for your body to recover from its withdrawal symptoms as they make a person addicted. In short, it will take you back to those addictive habits.

For more information about Mental Health Conditions. Visit our Mental Health Library page. To understand and cope with your psychological symptoms, get help from our Top 10 Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Therapists who are known for providing the best mental health treatment and psychiatry services. To book an appointment please call us at  (800) 457-4573 or submit an appointment request.