With alcohol abuse, drug use and smoking, withdrawal symptoms occur. This is a specific reaction of the body, manifested in the form of a violation: psychological, somatic and neurological in nature.
Specific manifestations occur as a result of the abandonment of alcohol, drugs and nicotine. The condition of withdrawal is not critical, as there are certain methods that help withstand a difficult period of weaning.
What is withdrawal
Many people suffering from alcohol and nicotine addiction are interested in what withdrawal symptoms are. This condition is formed gradually and at different times. This is a kind of mental and physical disorder after a reduction 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 addiction can also develop as a result of prolonged use of psychotropic drugs or analgesics. The rate of development of this condition largely depends on the duration of alcohol or drug use, age, gender, as well as the general condition of the person. It is much easier to refuse the use of harmful substances to smokers, and most difficult to drug addicts.
Causes of occurrence
It is important to know what abstinence is, as well as for exactly what reasons a similar condition occurs. It leads to prolonged consumption of alcohol or drugs in high dosages.
In alcoholics, a similar syndrome forms after about 1-2 years of constant consumption of alcohol. The fastest addiction occurs in people taking heroin, cocaine. Slowest of all, its development occurs when hash is consumed. Very quickly, a state of withdrawal occurs when you refuse to consume them: spice, sleeping pills and stimulants.
Key features
What is abstinence and what are the symptoms of this condition that interests so many people who consume alcohol or drugs. Given the severity of the course of this syndrome, 4 degrees are distinguished. Each subsequent indicates a deterioration in well-being, as well as a significant dependence on the receipt of ethanol or the difficulties that arise during the treatment.
With the course of withdrawal symptoms are observed such signs as:
- attenuation of attention;
- feeling of anxiety;
- weakness.
Mild withdrawal symptoms have a more pronounced symptomatology, which manifests itself in anxiety, the occurrence of insomnia, lack of appetite, increased heart rate and breathing. This condition can be diagnosed very quickly, confirming it by certain measurements.
More pronounced withdrawal is manifested in the occurrence of hallucinations and a change in consciousness, sleep disturbance with terrible dreams. In addition, a person refuses to consume food. He has shortness of breath and a very frequent pulse.
Symptoms of severe withdrawal symptoms are expressed in significant changes in the psyche, which manifests itself in the form of hallucinations, anxiety, aggressiveness, inadequate reactions. In addition, there is a strong sense of fear, completely disrupted appetite and sleep. There is a very strong hand tremor, severe sweating, cramps, a frequent pulse, shortness of breath. If incorrect or untimely treatment is carried out, there is a possibility of death.
How long does it last
What is abstinence and how long does it last, it is important to know for all addicted to alcohol, smoking or drugs. 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 body.
Each person differently tries to get rid of this difficult condition, however, it is advisable to seek qualified help from specialists. The duration of this syndrome to a mild degree is 1-5 days. Dependent people with experience experience painful conditions for several weeks or even months. Without proper treatment, the period of withdrawal can last much longer, and the consequences can be very dangerous.
Stages of Withdrawal Syndrome
Doctors distinguish the first and second stage of this condition. Pathological manifestations begin with minor disorders, which, without appropriate treatment, become more severe. It happens that a person immediately has the last stages of withdrawal symptoms.
At the first stage, the patient can still struggle with the desire to take psychotropic drugs, so the withdrawal period lasts for no more than 2 days. With the course of the second degree, the disease progresses noticeably. The need to take a psychotropic drug significantly exceeds everything else. At this stage, the process of personality degradation occurs.
The last stage is characterized by a very painful state of the patient, who constantly lives with the thought of only receiving the next dose. He is not able to sleep normally, and even it is difficult for him to move independently.
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 symptoms is required. Therapy should not be carried out at home. The patient must be placed in a narcological clinic, as he is not able to adequately perceive everything that happens. In this case, narcologists initially stop the acute syndrome, and then carry out therapy so that the patient subsequently abandons the consumption of psychoactive substances.
Removal of abstinence is carried out with the help of medications, in particular such as:
- detoxifying agents;
- tranquilizers;
- antidepressants;
- antipsychotics;
- non-steroidal drugs.
In addition, it is necessary to eliminate insomnia and anxiety. For this, nootropic drugs are prescribed. Substitution therapy is carried out with drugs connected to opium receptors.
Possible complications
The most dangerous is the withdrawal syndrome that develops with alcoholism, as this condition can be deadly. In this case, cerebral edema and internal bleeding of the digestive organs can be observed. In some cases, an exacerbation of chronic diseases occurs.
In addition, among the complications can be identified:
- the appearance of nightmares;
- hallucinations;
- insomnia
- complete degradation of personality.
Long-term mental disorders lead to the development of delirium tremens. Often its manifestations are threatening and lead to suicide.