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Causes

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Withdrawal, or substance withdrawal, is a process the mind and body go through after a person stops consuming a substance or consumes less of the substance.In general, people who consume more of a substance and more often are most likely to suffer from withdrawal. People who have previously gone through withdrawal, have asubstance use disorder, or have a mental health condition are also at an increased risk.

Roughly 8.5 million adults suffer a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time in the United States.Withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe. For example, it could just be a headache or difficulty sleeping, or it may result in death.

This article will review the causes, symptoms, and treatment of withdrawal for a variety of substances.

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What Is Addiction?

Types of WithdrawalCommon types of withdrawal include:AlcoholAntidepressantBenzodiazepineCaffeineMarijuanaNicotineOpioidStimulant

Types of Withdrawal

Common types of withdrawal include:AlcoholAntidepressantBenzodiazepineCaffeineMarijuanaNicotineOpioidStimulant

Common types of withdrawal include:

When a person uses a substance regularly, the body and mind get used to that substance. Initially, the substance will throw off the balance in the body, but then the body will adjust to the substance and register it as normal. This leads to a tolerance of the substance, which is when the body does not respond the same way unless the amount consumed is increased.

Addiction vs. Substance UseAddictionis another risk of substance use. It is sometimes confused with tolerance and dependence. However, it is different. Addiction is a disease that involves not being able to stop using a substance even when continuing has negative consequences.Signs of addiction may include loss of controland denial.

Addiction vs. Substance Use

Addictionis another risk of substance use. It is sometimes confused with tolerance and dependence. However, it is different. Addiction is a disease that involves not being able to stop using a substance even when continuing has negative consequences.Signs of addiction may include loss of controland denial.

How Addiction Is Diagnosed

The processes of becoming tolerant, dependent, and addicted involve changes in the brain.Neurotransmittersare chemical messengers in the brain and body that send messages between cells. This is how the body and brain communicate to allow a person to think, feel, act, and experience the environment.

Substances can change the way neurotransmitters function, which changes the way substance users think, feel, act, and experience the environment.Depending on the substance, neurotransmitter activity can increase or decrease. With regular substance use, the changes become the new normal. When the substance is stopped or decreased, the person experiences withdrawal.

Alcohol

Mostalcohol withdrawal symptomsresolve within several days, but they can last longer.Symptoms can include agitation,anxiety, decreased energy, delirium, dizziness, emotional outbursts, fever, feeling disoriented, hallucinations, headaches, increased blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, memory loss, nausea, seizures, shaking, sweating, tremors, and vomiting.

Alcohol withdrawal is very serious and could lead to death, so it is important to seek professional help when decreasing or stopping alcohol consumption.

What Is Delirium Tremens (DTs)?Delirium tremensis an extreme syndrome of alcohol withdrawal. This can result in death, so it is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. Symptoms may include severe agitation, anxiety, disorientation, elevated body temperature,hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, paranoia, sweating, and tremors.

What Is Delirium Tremens (DTs)?

Delirium tremensis an extreme syndrome of alcohol withdrawal. This can result in death, so it is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. Symptoms may include severe agitation, anxiety, disorientation, elevated body temperature,hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, paranoia, sweating, and tremors.

What to Expect From Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Antidepressant

Withdrawal symptoms of suddenly stopping certain antidepressants include anxiety,chills, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, headaches, increased depression symptoms, irritability, muscle aches, nausea, sensations of electric shock, sleepiness, andvivid dreams.These symptoms can last a few weeks. Symptoms can be severe, including a return of symptoms of depression, so it is important to talk with a doctor before stopping these medications.

Benzodiazepine

Withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepine include anxiety, cravings,delirium, depression, difficulty sleeping, hallucinations, headache, heart palpitations, panic attacks, seizures, stiff muscles, sweating, tension or irritability, and tremors. Symptoms can last up to a few weeks. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can lead to death, so it is important to seek professional support for this substance.

Caffeine

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms include headaches, irritability and other mood changes, nausea, sleepiness, painful muscles, and trouble with concentration.These symptoms can last over a week. Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal range from mild to moderate.

Learn If You Should You Let Your Teenager Drink Caffeinated Drinks

Marijuana

Although marijuana is commonly believed to not be harmful, 47% of people who use the substance regularly experience withdrawal symptoms.These symptoms include abdominal pain, aggression, anger, anxiety, changes in appetite or weight,depression, difficulty sleeping, headache irritability, nausea, nervousness, restlessness, sweating, and vomiting.

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms usually last a couple of weeks, but some may remain for several months. The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and it is important to seek professional support for the emergence of symptoms such as depression.

Cannabis Withdrawal: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment

Nicotine

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include urges to smoke or use tobacco products, negative changes in mood, restlessness or jumpiness, difficulty concentrating, sleeping difficulties, weight gain or hunger, anxiety, and depression.The withdrawal symptoms tend to be worse in the first week but can last several weeks after quitting.

While most symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are not life-threatening, depression and other mental health concerns that may occur are linked to suicide. Therefore, it is important to seek professional support if any mental health concerns emerge when going through nicotine withdrawal.

Opioid

Symptoms ofopioid withdrawalinclude aches and pains, agitation, anxiety, cramping, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, goose bumps, increased heart rate or blood pressure, nausea, pupil dilation, sweating, vomiting, watering eyes or dripping nose, and yawning. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can last a few days to a few weeks. Opioid withdrawal can lead to potentially serious medical complications and relapse, so it is important to seek professional support.

Stimulant

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, changes in appetite, depression, difficulty focusing or concentrating, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, irritability, andmood swings. Symptoms can last for a few days to a few weeks, or longer in some cases. They can range from mild to severe. It is important to seek support for withdrawal symptoms such as depression, especially if there are suicidal thoughts.

How is Cocaine Addiction Treated?

Seeking care from a qualified healthcare professional is an important step before reducing or stopping substances. This can help to prevent or minimize symptoms of withdrawal. They are able to help determine the risk of severe symptoms and provide information, resources, and possibly other necessary treatment options.

Treatment of withdrawal depends on the substances used, the symptoms, and the severity of symptoms. This may be done at home or in a medical facility.

Detoxification

Detox, or detoxification, is a process of supporting a person going through withdrawal to help them get the substances out of the body more safely.

Detox can be done at a clinic, hospital, or rehabilitation center and may include medications to manage withdrawal and help to reduce symptoms. After the detox process, continuing treatment with groups such asAlcoholics AnonymousorNarcotics Anonymousis recommended to keep you substance free.

Tapering

Tapering is a process of slowly decreasing the use of a substance, such as a prescription medication, over time to prevent withdrawal. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to help decrease or stop using some substances. For example, nicotine patches and gum can be used to make it easier to stop smoking.

Prescription medications may also be used. For example:

Assistance HelplineIf you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

Assistance Helpline

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

Summary

Withdrawal is a reaction of the mind and body that happens when a person reduces or stops using a substance. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and withdrawal may even result in death. It is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional before reducing or stopping substances and to treat withdrawal symptoms.

A Word From Verywell

Withdrawal may come with many emotions and fears, and it can be difficult to ask for help. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or withdrawal, you are not alone. Reach out to a healthcare professional for support. If you are not sure where to turn, the SAMHSA Helpline is a great resource.

Knowing the possible withdrawal symptoms for particular substances can help aid in their identification if they occur. It is important to talk to a healthcare professional before decreasing or stopping a prescription medication or other substance. Also, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional when undergoing withdrawal symptoms.

Yes, it is possible to die from certain types of withdrawal. This is one of the reasons why it is important to seek the support of trained professionals when going through withdrawal. TheSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineis a great resource for help.

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17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Substance withdrawal.Wood E, Albarqouni L, Tkachuk S, et al.Will this adult patient develop severe alcohol withdrawal? The Rational Clinical Examination Systematic Review.JAMA. 320(8):825-833. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.10574Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.2017 NSDUH annual national report.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is drug addiction?National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: the science of addiction.Alcohol and Drug Foundation.Withdrawal.Alcohol Rehab Guide.Alcohol withdrawal.American Psychological Association.Delirium tremens (DTs).Harvard Medical School.Going off antidepressants.Fluyau D, Revadigar N, Manobianco BE.Challenges of the pharmacological management of benzodiazepine withdrawal, dependence, and discontinuation.Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 8(5):147-168. doi:10.1177/2045125317753340Cleveland Clinic.Caffeine: How to hack it and how to quit it.Bahji A, Stephenson C, Tyo R, Hawken ER, Seitz DP.Prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms among people with regular or dependent use of cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 3(4):e202370. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.Shah M, Huecker MR.Opioid withdrawal. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.Desert View Recovery.Stimulant withdrawal.American Psychological Association.Detoxification.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Substance withdrawal.Wood E, Albarqouni L, Tkachuk S, et al.Will this adult patient develop severe alcohol withdrawal? The Rational Clinical Examination Systematic Review.JAMA. 320(8):825-833. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.10574Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.2017 NSDUH annual national report.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is drug addiction?National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: the science of addiction.Alcohol and Drug Foundation.Withdrawal.Alcohol Rehab Guide.Alcohol withdrawal.American Psychological Association.Delirium tremens (DTs).Harvard Medical School.Going off antidepressants.Fluyau D, Revadigar N, Manobianco BE.Challenges of the pharmacological management of benzodiazepine withdrawal, dependence, and discontinuation.Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 8(5):147-168. doi:10.1177/2045125317753340Cleveland Clinic.Caffeine: How to hack it and how to quit it.Bahji A, Stephenson C, Tyo R, Hawken ER, Seitz DP.Prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms among people with regular or dependent use of cannabinoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 3(4):e202370. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2370Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.Shah M, Huecker MR.Opioid withdrawal. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.Desert View Recovery.Stimulant withdrawal.American Psychological Association.Detoxification.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.

American Psychological Association.Substance withdrawal.

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.2017 NSDUH annual national report.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is drug addiction?

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, brains, and behavior: the science of addiction.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation.Withdrawal.

Alcohol Rehab Guide.Alcohol withdrawal.

American Psychological Association.Delirium tremens (DTs).

Harvard Medical School.Going off antidepressants.

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Cleveland Clinic.Caffeine: How to hack it and how to quit it.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.7 common withdrawal symptoms.

Shah M, Huecker MR.Opioid withdrawal. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Desert View Recovery.Stimulant withdrawal.

American Psychological Association.Detoxification.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction.

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