How to tackle drug withdrawal symptoms

Imogen Chambers, First Year History

Having a long term dependency on any drug can mean that stopping them, or coming off them can be a difficult task that can be really unpleasant both mentally and physically.

Withdrawals from any drug are unpleasant, not only do you have to endure physical symptoms of dependency, but you will also face psychological withdrawals that can take up a massive mental toll, these can be in the form of cravings, mood swings, insomnia and depression. The severity of withdrawals will depend on the length of time you were using for, the dosage and the substance.

Researching the withdrawal process before you start will make you aware of the symptoms you might face and the amount of time it will last, this can make them easier to cope with and plan for. Going cold turkey is the quickest way to come off a substance and for many drugs such as opiates it is generally regarded as a safe process. However for certain substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines, stopping them suddenly can be dangerous and even result in death. Hence, for these, it is safer to taper off. You can get help with tapering from your doctor or local drug services such as Bristol DHI.

Once you’ve worked out how to withdraw safely, you should pick an appropriate time. It is unlikely you’ll be able to work or study for the first week so do it somewhere you are comfortable and free of obligations. Telling the people around you can increase your chances of getting through withdrawals without relapsing. This can be daunting as for a lot of people, it will be the first time they’re telling anyone about their substance issues. However no longer keeping it a secret makes you confront the situation in ways you haven't before by gaining the perspective of others. Telling your friends and family will stop them from offering you substances or using with you, and they can also keep an eye on your mental and physical health, which will be weaker in the months following withdrawal. People are generally more understanding about addiction then you may have thought, but if you aren’t in a position to inform your family, or want extra support, there are many networks across the UK that can offer counselling and AA/NA services for substance abuse like Bristol Roads or Bristol Drugs Project. They also offer harm reduction services and can be really helpful if you’re still are actively using.

Telling the people around you can increase your chances of getting through withdrawals without relapsing.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for withdrawals, the first week will be hell and there aren’t many treatments for the symptoms. Some centre’s prescribe Valium for opiate or alcohol withdrawal to reduce the insomnia and anxiety symptoms, though do so with caution as Valium is highly addictive. Stay hydrated, eat healthily and get as much rest as possible is advised. Once the physical symptoms start to subside, you can begin working on the psychological ones.

Readjusting to life sober can be a overwhelming as your emotions return after being repressed for so long. Not only this but long-term substance abuse has a depressing effect on your brain, in many cases depression will be chemically unavoidable, you may also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) these come and go up to a year after withdrawal. Giving up an addiction can leave you feeling lost and lacking in purpose. Engaging in regular exercise will not only release endorphins combatting low mood but joining a gym or sports team can bring back a sense of purpose and allow you to make connections with new people.

Giving up an addiction can leave you feeling lost and lacking in purpose.

Antidepressants could help to combat PAWS and prevent a relapse, but it is important to be aware that you will experience physical withdrawals when eventually coming off them. ‘Pink Cloud Syndrome’ is another thing to be wary of, this is where people feel very euphoric in the early weeks of recovery, however this euphoria can disappear suddenly and push people into a depression. Recovery can take a long time and what you feel in the first few months is likely not an accurate representation of what life outside an addiction is actually like, be patient and it will balance out.

Maintaining Recovery:

To an extent the shadow of a long-term addiction will follow you for your whole life, maintaining recovery requires constant work, it does get easier over time, but fighting cravings is never easy. Identifying and avoiding triggers is necessary to stay on track, it is important to figure out what drove you towards addiction in the first place, this can be complicated and usually entails several intertwining factors such as lifestyle choices, mental health and your environment.

Addressing these issues is arguably the best way to avoid falling back into addiction. This is a personal process but commonalities that people find helpful include, attending meetings which provide a comfortable atmosphere to discuss struggles with experts and people with similar experiences, moving jobs, house or even friendship groups may be necessary to gain a fresh start, meditation can be great in gaining control over you emotions, as well as finding a healthy hobby you can become addicted to instead of substances.

Featured Image: Marina Afzal-Khan