With alcohol abuse, drug use and smoking, withdrawal syndrome occurs. This is a certain reaction of the body, manifested in the form of a violation: psychological, somatic and neurological.
Specific manifestations occur as a result of the refusal of alcohol, drugs and nicotine. The state of withdrawal is not critical, as there are certain techniques that help to endure the difficult period of withdrawal.
What is withdrawal
Many people suffering from alcohol and nicotine addiction wonder what withdrawal is. This state is formed gradually and in different periods. This is a kind of mental and physical disorder after a decrease in the dosage of harmful substances or a complete cessation of their entry into the body.
Often this syndrome develops in drug addicts and alcoholics, but it also happens that dependence can be developed as a result of prolonged use of psychotropic drugs or analgesics. The rate at which this condition develops dependsfrom the duration of alcohol or drug use, age, gender, as well as the general condition of the person. It is much easier for smokers to stop using harmful substances, and the most difficult for drug addicts.
Causes of occurrence
It is important to know what withdrawal is, and also for what reasons such a condition occurs. It is caused by long-term high-dose alcohol or drug use.
In alcoholics, a similar syndrome is formed after about 1-2 years of constant alcohol consumption. The fastest addiction occurs in people who take heroin, cocaine. The slowest development of it occurs with the consumption of hashish. Very quickly there is a state of withdrawal when you refuse to consume them: spices, sleeping pills and stimulants.
Key Features
What is withdrawal and what are the symptoms of this condition are of interest to many people who consume alcohol or drugs. Given the severity of the course of this syndrome, 4 degrees are distinguished. Each subsequent one indicates a deterioration in well-being, as well as a significant dependence on the intake of ethanol or difficulties arising in the course of treatment.
When withdrawal occurs, symptoms such as:
- weakening of attention;
- feeling uneasy;
- brokenness.
Moderate abstinence has more pronounced symptoms, which manifests itself in anxiety, insomnia, lack of appetite,increased heart rate and respiration. This condition can be diagnosed very quickly by confirming it with specific measurements.
A more pronounced abstinence is manifested in the occurrence of hallucinations and changes in consciousness, sleep disturbance with terrible dreams. In addition, a person refuses to eat food. He is short of breath and has a very rapid pulse.
Withdrawal symptoms in severe form are expressed in significant changes in the psyche, which manifests itself in the form of hallucinations, anxiety, aggressiveness, inadequate reaction. In addition, there is a strong feeling of fear, appetite and sleep are completely disturbed. There is a very strong trembling of the hands, severe sweating, convulsions, frequent pulse, shortness of breath. Incorrect or delayed treatment, there is a possibility of death.
How long does it last
What is abstinence and how long does it last, it is important for everyone who is addicted to alcohol, smoking or drugs to know. It is very difficult to name a specific period, since this time largely depends on the duration of taking psychotropic drugs, as well as the individual characteristics of the organism.
Each person tries to get rid of this difficult condition in different ways, but it is advisable to seek qualified help from specialists. The duration of this syndrome in a mild degree is 1-5 days. Dependent people with experience experience excruciating conditions for several weeks or even months. Without competent treatment periodwithdrawal can last much longer and the consequences can be very dangerous.
Stages of withdrawal symptoms
Doctors single out the first and second stages of this condition. Pathological manifestations begin with minor disorders, which, without appropriate treatment, become more severe. It happens that a person immediately experiences the last stages of withdrawal symptoms.
In the first stage, the patient may still struggle with the desire to take psychotropic drugs, so the withdrawal period lasts no more than 2 days. With the course of the second degree, the disease progresses noticeably. The need to take a psychotropic drug greatly exceeds everything else. At this stage, the process of degradation of personality occurs.
The last stage is characterized by a very painful condition of the patient, who constantly lives with the thought only of receiving the next dose. He is unable to sleep properly and even has difficulty moving around on his own.
How to eliminate withdrawal symptoms
This condition should not be confused with an ordinary hangover and poisoning of the body. If a person needs to eliminate the symptoms of intoxication, then a more thorough and comprehensive treatment of withdrawal is required. Therapy cannot be done at home. The patient must be placed in a narcological dispensary, since he is not able to adequately perceive everything that happens. At the same time, narcologists initially stop the acute syndrome, and then carry out therapy so that the patient subsequently refusessubstance use.
Withdrawal withdrawal is carried out with the help of medications, in particular such as:
- detox products;
- tranquilizers;
- antidepressants;
- neuroleptics;
- non-steroid drugs.
In addition, it is imperative to eliminate insomnia and anxiety. For this, nootropic drugs are prescribed. Substitution therapy is being carried out with drugs connected to opium receptors.
Possible Complications
The withdrawal syndrome that develops with alcoholism is considered the most dangerous, since this condition can be deadly. In this case, swelling of the brain and internal bleeding of the digestive organs can be observed. In some cases, exacerbation of chronic diseases occurs.
In addition, complications include:
- appearance of nightmares;
- hallucinations;
- insomnia;
- complete degradation of personality.
Prolonged mental disorders lead to the development of delirium tremens. Often, its manifestations are threatening and lead to suicide.
