drug withdrawal symptoms

What to Expect When You’re in Withdrawal

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines withdrawal syndrome as a predictable group of signs and symptoms that result from either the sudden removal of, or an abrupt decrease in a regular dosage of a drug. Although some of the after-effects of excessive drug use may vary, depending on the drugs used, they usually emphasize the emotional and physical functions that were being suppressed in the first place. Drug withdrawal symptoms can end up to be very dangerous and it is important that anyone going through withdrawal seek professional supervision.

effects of drug and alcohol withdrawal headache

Potential Effects of Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal

When it comes to the potential effects of drug and alcohol withdrawal, there is a great deal of variation based on many factors. The symptoms that patients may experience range, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. Opioid withdrawal may cause diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and other effects. Severe cases of alcohol withdrawal have been known to sometimes cause life-threatening conditions. Effects range from physical symptoms to social consequences. In order to provide a better overview of what to expect, we need to look at the effects based on the substance(s) used.

See the charts below for the full breakdown of the symptoms and side effects of drug and alcohol withdrawal.