It does not matter if you are dealing with withdrawal symptoms from drugs, alcohol, nicotine or even caffeine, they are all unpleasant on their own level. Depending on where your addiction lies, symptoms can be mild and uncomfortable to incredibly severe and dangerous. Below is a guideline of what withdrawal symptoms to expect with a variety of addictions.
Caffeine
Although caffeine withdrawal symptoms are considered mild compared to other addictions, they will still undoubtedly put a damper in your day. Caffeine stimulates the brain so it will take a while to feel like you are functioning normal again.
Traditional withdrawal symptoms include headache, fatigue, concentration difficulty, and irritability, lack of motivation, depression, flu-like symptoms and even migraines. The best thing to do is eat several nutritious meals throughout the day to help keep your energy level up and get active. Go for a walk, bike ride or do something you enjoy to keep your mind off of how you are feeling. The last thing you want to do is snack on sugary sweets because you will experience the same crash that you do from caffeine only a lot faster.
Alcohol
Depending on how long you have been drinking and the quantity that you typically consume, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable to deadly. If you are a serious alcoholic, you need to be monitored when you quit drinking. Many people experience delirium tremens which can be fatal. Not only that, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can raise your blood pressure and cause heart attack or stroke. This is why being under the watchful eye of a doctor is so important.
Mild symptoms can include feeling nervous or jumpy, irritability, anxiety, rapid emotional changes, fatigue, depression, bad dreams, cloudy thinking, headache, sweating, nausea or vomiting, insomnia, loss of appetite, paleness, rapid heart rate, enlarged or dilated pupils, clammy skin, hand tremors and abnormal eyelid movements. More severe withdrawal symptoms are fever, extreme agitation, black outs, convulsions and delirium tremens.
Nicotine
There is a very good reason why millions of smokers everyday fail at quitting; it’s hard! Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are beyond frustrating but it really is the mental habit that poses the biggest challenge to get through. If you are like most people, you have a habit of lighting up when you get in the car, get on the phone or sit down at the computer. These behavioral addictions are harder to overcome than the actual withdrawal symptoms.
A chemical dependency is created by nicotine so the body develops a need for a specific level. Unless that need is fulfilled, your body withdrawals quickly. Symptoms for most people peak at about the 48 hour mark. If you can get through this initial two day period, it gets easier. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can include headache, cramps, nausea, sweating, tingling in the feet or hands, coughing and sore throat as the lungs begin to clear, temper-tantrums, insomnia, mental confusion, irritability, anxiety and depression.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful brain stimulant and although some are able to enjoy it socially from time to time, others become addicted fast. There are theories that genes and blood type could have something to do with how fast you become an addict or if you will at all.
The cocaine crash can be severe. You can expect to experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, paranoia, restless behavior, depression and fatigue. Some lose ambition to do anything at all and many complain of very vivid dreams. Weight gain is almost always resulted.
Marijuana
Although many argue that marijuana is not addictive, there are some who argue that it is because some do experience withdrawal symptoms with discontinued use. Although the symptoms are certainly not dangerous, many do find it difficult and uncomfortable to get through them.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can include a loss of appetite, inability to sleep, headache, anxiety, nausea, aggression and irritability. Basically you act and feel completely opposite as when you’re using.
Amphetamines
Your brain goes through a number of undesirable reactions when amphetamine withdrawal begins. Since they produce the same neurotransmitters as your brain does naturally, your brain becomes dependent and manufacturers less and less. Therefore, when you discontinue use, you can expect a mental and emotional battle.
Amphetamine withdrawal symptoms can include extreme fatigue, excessive hunger, shaking, lack of coordination, overheating, seizures, panic attacks, temper-tantrums, irritability, mood swings, depression and sensitivity to loud sounds. Severe symptoms can cause rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.
Heroin
Heroin is an extremely powerful narcotic with high overdose rates for new and veteran users. It slows down your breathing and heart rate and can easily starve the body of oxygen while you’re experiencing feelings of intense relaxation and euphoria.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms can include an intense craving, muscle and bone pain, restlessness, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, nausea, cold sweat, goose bumps, cold flashes, involuntary kicking movements, watery eyes, dilated pupils, runny nose, repetitive yawning, tremors, panic, loss of appetite, shallow breathing muscle cramps, increased heart rate, convulsions, elevated temperature and pulse, increased blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, depression, coma and suicidal tendencies.
Crystal Meth
With increased or continued use, crystal meth can cause enduring damage to your nervous system. Since it affects how the brain regulates bodily functions, dependency can cause arrhythmia, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, viral infections, neurological damage, stroke and brain hemorrhaging. Long-term users often experience psychosis where hallucinations are common.
Withdrawal symptoms typically include extreme depression, fatigue and suicidal thoughts; some people are never able to fully shake these symptoms, even with permanent discontinued use.