Withdrawal means to discontinue the taking of a substance to which your body has a dependence, i.e. some physical adaptation to its consistent presence has occurred. And an abrupt cessation in the substance usage often causes withdrawal symptoms. Yet, even just a reduction in the amount of an adapted to substance can result in symptoms as well.
Your body adjusts to the constant presence of a substance to maintain homeostasis. So upon a sudden withdrawal, the body will continue to counteract the substance effects. Thus, you notice this physiological disturbance by specific withdrawal symptoms associated with that substance, some of which may include:
Depending on the substance and your body’s adaptation to it, an abrupt withdrawal is highly inadvisable because of the potential risk to health. Instead, a medically supervised process of eliminating your body’s dependence is recommended, what’s known as detoxification.
Many drugs and alcohol change your brain chemistry by altering neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitters either excite or inhibit nerve cells, some you may have heard of are:
- GABA
- serotonin
- histamine
- dopamine
- melatonin
- glutamate
- epinephrine
- acetylcholine
- norepinephrine
Substances that elevate neurotransmitter levels are called stimulants and those that decrease it are depressants. And tranquilizers inhibit GABA, which regulates muscle tone. So generally the symptoms of sudden withdrawal from a depended on substance is often the result of a neurotransmitter imbalance.
Following is are withdrawal symptoms from various substances after dependence:
- alcohol ~ extreme anxiety, disorientation, hallucinations, sleep disorders, hand tremors, nausea, sweating, seizures, palpitations, DTs
- barbiturates (anticonvulsants, sedatives, general anesthetics) ~ anxiety, irritability, palpitations, tachypnea, myalgia, nausea, tremors, hallucinations, confusion, seizures, nightmares, insomnia, vivid dreaming
- opiates (heroin, morphine, other analgesics) ~ gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, muscle pain, fevers, sweating, runny nose, watery eyes
- stimulants (cocaine, crack, amphetamines, methamphetamines) ~ depression, fatigue, insomnia, appetite loss
Although, widely known substance withdrawal symptoms are tied to the use of nicotine, alcohol or illegal drugs. The fact is, there are many other substances your body can become dependent on for which an abrupt withdrawal causes symptoms, for instance:
- tranquilizers
- antidepressants
- baclofen ~ muscle relaxant
- corticosteroids (prednisone)
- beta blocker ~ treat hypertension
- nitrates (nitroglycerine) ~ treat angina
- Clonidine ~ treat hypertension, opiate withdrawal
If you believe your body may be substance dependent, ask your health care provider if a withdrawal needs to be managed and potential withdrawal symptoms before taking a flying leap into abstinence.