Alcohol or drug withdrawal
Withdrawal refers to the physical problems and emotions you experience if you are dependent on a substance (such as alcohol, prescription medicines, or illegal drugs) and then suddenly stop or drastically reduce your intake of the substance.
Symptoms of withdrawal are caused by decreased amounts of alcohol or drugs in the blood or tissues of a person who has grown accustomed to prolonged heavy use and who then suddenly stops. Withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that occur when you decrease or stop drinking or using drugs after using alcohol or drugs for a long time.
Alcohol
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may begin from 4 to 12 hours after you cut down or stop drinking, or as long as several days after the last drink, and can last a few days. They can range from mild to life-threatening.
- Mild symptoms
- Intense worry
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Mild or moderate feeling of being tense or edgy
- Severe symptoms
- Confusion and irritability
- Feeling things on your body that are not there (tactile hallucinations)
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there (visual or auditory hallucinations)
- Severe agitation
- Severe trembling
- Life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal are called delirium tremens (DTs). Symptoms of DTs include all of the symptoms listed above plus seizures. Untreated DTs can lead to death.
Prescription medicines or illegal drugs
Symptoms of withdrawal from either illegal drugs or prescription medicines depend on the drug or combination of drugs. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Drenching sweats.
- Nervousness and shaking.
- Seizures.
- Death
If you are dependent on alcohol or drugs and are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, you may need a visit to your health professional to help you manage your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: January 18, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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