Detox From The Six Most Addictive Drugs on the Planet

Many millions in the U.S are facing addiction in one form or another. The disease of addiction, be it with legal or illegal drugs, is a progressive and chronic condition that ruins lives. Many addicts go through the process of withdrawal, detox, and rehab to ease their pain, only to relapse time and again. Detoxing from some of the most addictive drugs in the world comes with extreme physical and emotional pain, and that’s the reason so many people look for treatment in the first place. Even though some can dry out on their own, they likely will not be able to cope with the underlying pain that caused them to use drugs to begin with. It’s critical that they get proper guidance addiction treatment facilities offer. Drugs alter structures in the brain, causing physical issues to the body too, and that’s why addiction is considered a brain disease. Stopping the use of such drugs is not easy. Because of this the most effective treatment starts in a setting where the patient gets adequate support.

Opiate Drugs

There is a tremendous family of opiate drugs. Some are illegal narcotics like heroin. Some are medications like methadone which help people with dependency issues but can cause dependency issues in other users. There are opioid pain relievers that are legally prescribed which resulted in the opioid crisis in the United States. Heroin is a drug we all consider the most addicting drug on the drug market. Research has shown that a single dose of heroin is enough to keep a user coming back for more. Almost 25% of persons who use heroin at least once will become dependent on it. It gives absolute sense of bliss while deadening an individual’s physical and emotional pain. Heroin causes the dopamine receptors that exercise control over pleasure to wear out. When not under the influence of the drug a person experiences feeling of severe discontent. The body is conditioned to require the heroin to elevate its state. Prescription medications are similar, their goal is to help, but they stimulate the brain and up dopamine levels which further complicates dependency issues. Those dope feigning “innocent” opiates can be abused by laying waste to the tablets and injecting/snorting them instead. This gives them a euphoric sensation similar to heroin. That can be achieved because those tablets lack the long term release system.

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Experiencing Opiate Withdrawal

The level of an individual’s dependence on opiates varies from one person to the other, and often depends on the route of administration. For example, injecting the opioid will have much greater dependence as compared to smoking it. The action of opiates on the body involves the Central Nervous System (CNS) and its respiratory functions. The heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate along with temperature control will all be depressed. These symptoms will manifest as soon as the person stops taking opiates. Once again, the symptoms associated with the opioid withdrawal will differ depending on the kind of opioid, the route of administration, and the level of dependence. This sometimes happen with prescription pain medication where the patient has not taken them for long durations. Some mild withdrawal symptoms include:

• Muscle aches
• Sweats and chills
• Nausea
• Belly pain
• Runny nose

Moderate withdrawal symptoms often associated with OxyContin recreational use include:

• Tremors
• Goose bumps
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Restlessness

Moderately severe Opioid Withdrawal symptoms tend to occur with greater frequency amongst OxyContin users. With severe withdrawal symptoms, the tremors, fatigue, and depression become more pronounced.

Severe withdrawal symptoms have often been reported by those who use opiates, particularly those who use heroin through intravenous injections. The withdrawal symptoms that accompany these include:

• Deep depression
• Muscle spasms
• Drug cravings
• Breathing difficulties
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Anxiety
• Sleeping difficulties

Effective strategies to counterfeit opiate withdrawal symptoms

The most severe form of opiate detoxification involves the removal of heroin from one’s body.

After a few days withdrawal symptoms peak. This is the reason why a heroin addict is better off admitted to addiction treatment. It is the least painful method to endure the symptoms and urges of heroin withdrawal. Medicating detox should take place before heroin leaves the body. This is done in a clinical setting. This period lasts for 7 to 10 days. There are many different types of medication that assist with fighting the addiction against opioids. To help lessen the severity of heroin withdrawal, methadone may be used. This is known as a tapering method and should also curb any dependence on methadone itself. This technique will reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Another medicine that can assist with getting over opioid addiction is Buprenorphine. Because it is a partial opioid agonist, it has a plateau effect. There is little to no high effect, which lowers the chances of misuse. Another opioid antagonist that is used for long-term maintenance is Naltrexone, because it blocks opioid receptors. Users will not feel the euphoric sensation they are used to. With the use of naloxone, quick withdrawal symptoms will occur, that’s the reason why users will not feel the dependence they crave

Amphetamines

The central nervous system is stimulated by amphetamines usage. They are utilized in treatments of varied emotional and physical disorders. For example, Adderall, which is often prescribed to children and adults with ADHD, is a type of amp hochwertige. Other patients with narcolepsy, depression, or even some obesity cases can also be treated with amphetamines. Aside from medical purposes, amphetamines are used for other ‘off-label’ purposes. Many patients who rely on the substance become trapped in a psychologically induced dependence. The long-term consequences create severe changes in the brain which lead addiction changes.

Amphetamines withdrawal is emotionally uncomfortable and the spells that come with it are quite intense. Most of the patients take the medicine in order to boost their self-esteem and feel confident. When they stop taking the medication, it causes the opposite of what they were expecting it to do. Due to the cessation of intake of the drug, the brain immediately starts releasing dopamine which causes the gushing feel of relief. The neurotransmitters around the brain get a boost boost which allows the individual to feel euphoric. However, without the drug, the body relies on the medication to function, which means, the brain stops functioning normally when the drug is not in the body. It is also important to note that once the drug is cut off from the body, the withdrawal symptoms begin showing immediately. This includes both psychological issues as well as physical and carries a lot of intensity with it. The intensity of the symptoms is directly depend on how the drug amphetamines are taken; using snorting and injecting methods make the user more reliant on the drug and increases dependency. The most common symptoms that have been associated with amphetamines withdrawal are:

Depression.

Anxiety.

Uncontrollable cravings.

Extreme lethargy.

Gains in appetite.

Loss of ability towards feeling any kind of pleasure.

Management Techniques for Amphetamine Withdrawal

There are no currently FDA approved medical interventions for the withdrawal phase. Medical personnel may prescribe medications to alleviate certain symptoms. For example, antidepressants can help reduce feelings of severe depression and the risk of suicidal thoughts. Medical staff and support groups can be helpful in supervised detox in the initial phase of amphetamine withdrawal in an addiction clinic. The individual coping with the phase receives medical attention and the emotional aid they require during the spouts of acute withdrawal. These first few days are especially tough for people withdrawing from amphetamines as their body is adapting to new surroundings. This process is accompanied with serious side effects that can pose a health risk to the addict and people around them. These are side effects like hallucinations in which a person is not fully engaged with the real world, which puts them in danger. While the physical withdrawal symptoms can be controlled within a week, the psychological symptoms can be much more difficult. Because these symptoms require more attention, the addict will need to stay in the rehabilitation phase longer.

Methamphetamines (Crystal Meth)

Methamphetamines is a potent, central nervous system stimulant that has some characteristics of amphetamines. It is highly addictive and known on the street as meth, ice, and crystal. Meth comes in a crystal form that lacks any smell and has a bitter flavor. The operator drug, amphetamine from which meth derives, was once prescribed in cold medications. Meth, like the other forms of amphetamines, induces euphoria and decreases appetite. Unlike other forms of amphetamines, Meth is much more potent. If taken in equal doses as amphetamines, Meth reaches the central nervous system faster and in higher concentrations which leads to a higher degree of stimulation. This increases the risk of abuse and addiction. Meth is an illicit drug due to its high potential for abuse and dependency and is banned from over the counter use. Due to Meth’s strong effects, Methamphetamine withdrawal is intense because of the drug’s very strong effects. One of the reasons it is very potent is due to the changes it makes to the user’s metabolism and heart rate.

The Effects on the Body after Abstinence from Methamphetamine

When a person starts abusing crystal meth their personality tends to change and development stops. As with cocaine, methamphetamine increased the activity of dopamine neurotransmitters. Therefore, a person abusing these drugs becomes completely dependent as the brain’s self-sustaining system fails. When the addict makes the decision to quit, there comes a point when depression and feelings of complete sadness sets in. People going through withdrawal might tend to hallucinate, suffer from memory loss, and have the feeling of complete psychosis. The worst cases will even push them towards taking their own life. Meth can be ingested in different forms, snorting, smoking or injecting being the most common types, and it is widely accepted that it is one of the hardest drugs to get off from. This is especially the case for people who inject the substance. If an addict works well, then a higher dependency is placed on the substance. The detoxification period ranges from rough 7 to 10 days. After this time window the excruciating physical symptoms will subside but cravings along with episodes of depression might persist. Sufferers might go a month with severe insomnia. But after 30 days the addict starts feeling normal, this is especially true for addicts who are only abusing meth.

Methods to Prevent and Treat Methamphetamine Addiction

As with any other drug, it is very difficult to go through methamphetamine withdrawal at home. This is due to the strong and often violent symptoms that one may encounter and the chances of self-inflicted harm or harming others. As a means to cope with this, a support system such as a detoxification program is available in facilities where users can go to. If needed, patients going through meth withdrawal will be prescribed medication. After the patient has regained stability, clinicians on staff will modify current treatments. Moreover, the advice on what to do next, commonly referred to as aftercare, is also vital. Alongside proper rehabilitation, a transition program after post detoxification is beneficial. While there is no specific medication that targets withdrawal symptoms, there are some off-label drugs that can aid during the process. Bupropion, an antidepressant, is effective is reducing meth addiction. It is worth mentioning that while these drugs are effective in treating excessive tiredness and panic attacks, they are primarily used to treat withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines

Doctors prescribe benzos to patients suffering from insomnia, anxiety and even seizures. They are a form of depressants that attach themselves to the GABA and other neurotransmitters within a person’s brain. This means there will be less activity sustained within the neurons in the brain which changes the normal neural functioning. This means that feelings of nervousness and tension felt by muscles will, be relaxed, subsequently stopping harms spasms. While their use in the medical sector is amazing, their rampant misuse is very concerning. And that’s the crux of the problem: they set the stage for addiction. Both psychologically and physically, addicts will find everything else harder without them. Once they stop using it, a complete reversal will be apparent. In order to reach the same level of ‘relaxation’ that they began with, they will have to overdose themselves further.

The Experience of Benzodiazepines Withdrawal

Losing muscle tension will allow a person to feel far more relaxed, but people will find it difficult to remain calm when they come off benzos. This is because the person will be subjected to feelings of restlessness that will ultimately make them unnerved and angry. This feeling is because the ‘blacked out’ feeling that was once suppressed is now returning – ultimately showing the person the true feelings of anxiety that had been cautiously suppressed. Both panic attacks as well as severe anxiety may be on the clock. Symptoms for these attacks could vary in severity, but could range from the following:

Anxiety.

Dizziness.

Nervous breakdowns.

Insomnia.

Feeling as if life has lost its excitement.

Profuse sweating.

Feeling a tightening sensation within the chest.

Rapid heartbeat.

All of this can lead to deadly seizures.

Ways to Manage Benzodiazepines Withdrawal

Since the symptoms are both physical and psychological, medical detox under professional supervision is recommended. Most treatment programs to deal with benzodiazepines withdrawal will include a taper-off schedule. Rather than shocking the system with sudden abstinence, doses will be reduced in a controlled manner. Capsules of longer-acting, less strong Valium or Klonopin are used during the tapering-off phase. This enables the maintenance of less severe Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. A week will be required for initial benzodiazepine withdrawal. Months of monitored treatment may be needed after this to progress from the tapering-off period to complete cessation of the medication. To relieve the anxiety that triggered the use of benzodiazepines initially, there are likely to be medications and other alternative treatments available.

Alcohol

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, alcoholism is a medical condition that is chronic, progressive and incurable. Alcoholism is defined as the condition when drinking becomes an uncontrollable urge. It is the most abused drug in the United States. Estimates show that there are more than 17 million alcoholics in the country. People get addicted to alcohol because ethanol triggers several chemical processes in the brain, which people become addicted to. It does not take long for the abuser of alcohol to become dependent on it to feel normal. Alcohol alters GABA and other neurotransmitters in the brain. The brain enters an overly relaxed state and the long term abuse of alcohol will result in a person having a penchant to be less inhibited. As the body adapts more and more to drinking, a higher level of tolerance develops. This means a person will need to drink more alcohol to experience the original effects of alcohol. The levels of dopamine and endorphins are similarly affected by alcohol, which once alcoholism sets in, the brain alone is incapable of creating happiness for the person; one has to be dependent on alcohol.

Understand what’s it like to go through alcohol withdrawal.

If a person has alcoholism, the withdrawal symptoms occur rapidly. It can happen in just two hours from the last drink. Symptoms may last for weeks and addicts can face complications. Cold turkey quitting can lead to seizures and delirium tremens in long time heavy drinkers. At the very minimum, heavy drinkers will experience: Anxiety, nausea, dysphoria, and insomnia. Then comes the increased blood pressure along with a rise in body temperature, confusion, and heart rate. Once they abstain for three days, the last withdrawal symptoms start kicking in. In this stage, patients can experience: Agitation, anxiety, fever, and visual hallucinations. Most symptoms should wane after a week, but during the first week detox should be medically assisted. Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous compared to any other substance.

Options for Treating Alcohol Withdrawal

In a medical setting, detoxification from alcohol can be dangerous, and hence monitored, as Delirium Tremens (DT) is a likely possibility. DT can develop insidiously after a couple of days post alcohol consumption. It can result in unexpected fatal outcomes. To alleviate the severity of alcohol withdrawal, the individual undergoing this process must be abstained from physical strain while being monitored for their vitals. Hospital grade medications must be administered to mitigate the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. The using of benzodiazepines is a common practice to aid in alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are used to prevent collateral damage by curbing the overstimulation of the central nervous system which leads to the onset of DT. Alcohol detoxification with the usage of disulfiram, naltrexone, or acamprosate has become a common practice. Research supports the use of these medications for patients with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These medications not only assist in symptom management but also aid in preventing relapse. Symptoms are managed by rendering the act of consuming alcohol undesirable with the use of naltrexone and disulfiram, while Acamprosate addresses long standing withdrawal symptoms. Doses can be administered to improve the mental state of the patient while battling through alcohol withdrawal. Dealing with alcohol withdrawal can be exceptionally difficult due to the malnutrition which an individual suffers from. Using properly balanced diets and supplements makes withdrawal manageable.

Cocaine

Cocaine is regarded as the second most abused drug globally. It is a potent stimulant that has harmful effects on its users. This extremely harmful substance can make the heart beat faster and raise the blood pressure at a fast pace. It comes in either powder form, which is known as cocaine, or in a rock crystal form, which is known as crack cocaine. Observers of drug users can tell when they have taken it due to cocaine’s side effects: rampant energy bursts, and a sense of bliss. Cravings, along with immeasurable energy, will follow the high’s onset which lasts for around 30 minutes. Just as any potent drug, it is not only harmful but extremely addictive. Cocaine’s mechanism of action is the relatively quick onset of euphoria alongside a short half life, both of which cause dependence. As a chemical that stimulates the user, there is constant dopamine released when the user consumes cocaine. The chemical’s most conspicuous consequence is the shutdown of the brain’s dopamine receptors. Once dependence is established, a person will start taking multiple doses over several consecutive periods. Every time the user wants to cease consumption, the brain will crave for more dopamine.

The experience during withdrawal of cocaine usage and addiction.

Cocaine withdrawal signs become prominent during addiction or when you reduce your intake caffeine. Abstaining cocaine will result in the user experiencing a cocaine crash first. Users that attempt cocaine for the first time usually undergo symptoms for a maximum of 24 hours. In some, the crash can persist from hours to weeks. During the users peak, he/she enjoys what they are experiencing but when it ends the consequences are dire. A cocaine crash is detrimental, but it’s the body’s way of balancing addiction. Dysphoria, anxiousness, and irritability are common symptoms during the crash for people. These symptoms can be unbearable and users report increased cravings but little to no energy while consuming food. In such situations, the person becomes inactive, rendering them physically weak and devoid of motivation.

Strategies to Cope with Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal can be severe due to how quickly it’s dependency is formed. It’s no surprise some users contact professionals for assistance. There is no medicine that can assist in this phase, but many argue that dealing with the psychological withdrawal should ease the process. This suggests that a mental health counselor or therapist can help during the processes. To avoid cocaine withdrawal, the user could even consider voluntary hospitalization. This, along with learning the roots of their addiction, aids through the difficult initial stage of withdrawal. Feeling out of control during their withdrawal can also assist them in building a resistance to cocaine. Expecting the user to have some control over themselves during such transitions might not be realistic, instead allowing for an enforced period of sobriety might be more beneficial. Before detoxing, users will need to acknowledge the problem, that is the first step. Strategies to prevent the problem will have to be devised later on but the first step will be the same.

Caring Hands Recovery Center

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