Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal in Charleston, SC

Alcohol and drug withdrawal can be a challenging process, and it may be tempting to go back to using just to make the uncomfortable symptoms stop. Although alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms will differ depending on the substance of abuse, abruptly stopping a substance can even be dangerous. Because of these discomforts and risk factors, alcohol and drug withdrawal is best undertaken in the supervised environment of a medical detox program.

Understanding Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal

Substance abuse causes the brain to change many of its chemical functions. For example, the use of alcohol boosts the production of GABA, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of well-being and calm; it also decreases the production of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that causes excitability. To compensate for these imbalances, the brain becomes more sensitive to glutamate and less sensitive to GABA. This phenomenon leads to the development of tolerance– at this point, higher doses of an abused substance are needed to achieve the desired effects.

Another effect of tolerance is seen when the brain becomes able to function normally only when the drug is present in the system. Once the drug is stopped, the brain attempts to rebound and withdrawal symptoms occur.

The Need for Medical Detox

Any quality Charleston treatment program is likely to begin with medical detox. In a medical detox program, clients are supervised by medical professionals and mental health professionals; support is always available, and medications are administered as needed to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox is also essential to avoid the risks and complications associated with withdrawal from certain substances.

Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

The exact symptoms of withdrawal will vary among different substances; in addition, the severity of withdrawal symptoms will depend on the duration of the addiction and the extent of the dependence. No matter what substance has been abused, strong cravings are a universal symptoms of withdrawal.

. Alcohol withdrawal: Detoxing from alcohol typically causes symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sweating, vomiting and hallucinations. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can cause life-threatening physical consequences. Paxil is often provided during alcohol detox to minimize depression and promote better sleep. Neurontin is administered to prevent seizures and help balance brain function.
. Opioid withdrawal: The withdrawal from drugs such as heroin or prescription painkillers can be intense and uncomfortable. Common symptoms include body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety and cold sweats. Methadone and buprenorphine are widely-used treatment medications that can block cravings and reduce some of these unpleasant symptoms.
. Stimulant withdrawal: Cocaine, meth and popular ADHD medications such as Adderall tend to share similar withdrawal symptoms: lethargy, severe depression, paranoia and agitation. No medications have been approved by the FDA to treat stimulant withdrawal, but bupropion can be given to help with depression and insomnia.
. Benzodiazepine withdrawal: Anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and Valium produce difficult and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Shaking, sweating and anxiety are common effects; in many cases, dangerous spikes in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure occur. No medications have been approved to treat benzodiazepine withdrawal. Treatment centers help patients avoid withdrawal symptoms by gradually tapering off the dose of the abused drug.

An Important First Step

Detox is an essential first step on the path to long-term recovery, but it’s not enough to conquer an addiction on its own. The detox process helps break the physical dependence on an abused substance while managing the symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal, but it doesn’t address the complex underlying issues that may contribute to addiction. During rehabilitation, many therapies are used to help clients tackle these issues and learn how to change their thought and behavior patterns. A comprehensive treatment plan at a Charleston treatment center can dramatically boost the chances of long-term recovery and an improved quality of life. Just give our recovery advocates at Charleston Drug Treatment Centers a call today at (843) 480-9956 to begin your recovery journey.