After completing the medication intended for the relief of various conditions, symptoms may return to the patient. At the same time, they appear with greater force. As a result, the patient’s condition worsens significantly, and he may fall into a coma. A similar manifestation is called withdrawal syndrome. This phenomenon was first discovered by doctors when using hormone replacement therapy.
Causes
Cancellation syndrome is an acute manifestation, the cause of which is a violation of biological, chemical and hormonal processes, caused by the fact that when we refuse to take medications, our body does not receive certain substances necessary for normal functioning. This is due to the fact that any hormonal drugs have a negative effect on the nervous system, disrupting the normal psychological and emotional background. If you take these medicines for a long period of time, then the patient may develop a feeling of constant discomfort and depression. Therefore, do not use medicines without the recommendation of a qualified specialist.
The most common drugs and substances that are addictive and can lead to the development of withdrawal symptoms when you refuse to take them are:
- narcotic substances, for example, cocaine, opium, etc.
- psychostimulants and antidepressants;
- alcohol;
- nicotine.
Each provocateur listed in the list has a different degree of addiction. Therefore, dependence on them develops in a person over a different period of time. For example, addiction to narcotic substances develops much faster than to nicotine or alcohol. The most dangerous thing is that such a dependence has a detrimental effect on the body. In some cases, there may even be a fatal outcome.
A frequent picture is the withdrawal of hormonal ointments, which are widely used in gynecology for the treatment of various diseases. The cancellation of their use leads to hormonal failure, and therefore to withdrawal.
Withdrawal Syndrome: Symptoms
Manifestation syndrome is always the same. This applies to absolutely all cases, regardless of what caused the addiction. An exception can be considered only those situations where withdrawal symptoms are not so pronounced.
The main symptoms of withdrawal are:
- deterioration of health, constant depression, decreased performance;
- increased irritability, aggressiveness, apathy, depression;
- violation of the normal functioning of the internal organs, accompanied by shortness of breath, increased heart rate, nausea, indigestion, trembling in the muscles, increased sweating;
- a constant desire to take a substance that has become addictive.
Throughout the withdrawal symptom, the patient can practically think of nothing more.
All of the above manifestations indicate that the patient has developed withdrawal syndrome. Signs in this case can be either pronounced or less visual.
When does withdrawal symptoms begin?
Manifestations of withdrawal symptoms can occur at different times and depend on many factors, the main among which are the degree of dependence caused by certain substances.
In most cases, abstinence makes itself felt in such terms as:
- in the case of nicotine addiction, a desire to smoke may arise only an hour after the last smoke break;
- whether there is a withdrawal syndrome with alcohol abuse can be found in a few hours;
- withdrawal symptoms caused by the use of antidepressants appear 1-2 days after refusing them;
- when using narcotic substances, withdrawal occurs approximately one day after the last dose.
It is worth noting that with the onset of withdrawal symptoms do not appear immediately, but gradually.
Duration of withdrawal
Many people are interested in the question of how long the withdrawal syndrome lasts. Is it dangerous or not? However, a definite answer does not exist, since each organism is individual and differently tolerates refusal to take substances that caused addiction. The duration of the syndrome is also affected by the time the body needs to remove toxins.
Despite the fact that there are no exact figures, nevertheless, scientists were able to calculate the approximate time duration of withdrawal.
The observation results are as follows:
- in case of refusal of alcohol, the duration of withdrawal can be from one week to several months;
- withdrawal syndrome when refusing to take drugs lasts several weeks;
- in case of quitting smoking, withdrawal symptoms can last from several days to several weeks, depending on the length of service of the smoker;
- withdrawal syndrome caused by taking antidepressants can be felt within three weeks.
According to doctors, withdrawal is much easier to tolerate with family support. The substituted shoulder of loved ones adds determination and increases the patient's willpower. Therefore, the likelihood of completely getting rid of addiction increases.
Alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can significantly worsen the patient’s well-being. This is accompanied by mental, neurological and somatic abnormalities. Clinical manifestations of withdrawal symptoms begin 3 days after a complete cessation of alcohol, and the first manifestation is a hangover. In some cases, withdrawal can cause hallucinations, which in turn increase the patient's aggressiveness.
Neurological manifestations of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Refusal of alcohol after a long intake of it creates a big load on the nervous system, so the patient’s hands begin to tremble, there may be cramps and pseudoparalysis. Due to an increase in the sensitivity of the skin, the patient increases perspiration, not related to the temperature in the room or on the street.
Physiological manifestations
With the syndrome of alcohol withdrawal, the digestive, genitourinary and cardiovascular systems suffer. As a result, the following symptoms appear:
- indigestion, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and loose stools;
- decreased sexual activity;
- frequent urination.
It is worth noting that drinking alcohol over a long period of time causes physiological changes in the myocardium. As a result, a sharp rejection of alcohol can lead to cardiac arrest.
Withdrawal from hormone withdrawal
An abrupt cessation of hormonal drug administration causes a withdrawal syndrome, which may be accompanied by various symptoms, depending on the principle of the effect of the drug on the body. First of all, a disease that was treated with hormonal drugs makes itself felt in a more severe form. In addition, the patient may develop adrenal insufficiency syndrome, progressing very quickly and often leading to cardiac arrest.
This type of withdrawal is very rare, as doctors prescribe a phased withdrawal of hormonal drugs to their patients, gradually reducing the dosage.
Withdrawal from antidepressants
Antidepressants are widely used in psychiatry to treat various disorders. However, they have a strong effect on the nervous system. Therefore, the withdrawal syndrome of "Phenazepam" or any other similar drug leads to a sharp deterioration in well-being and various problems throughout the body.
Clinical manifestations
After a sharp refusal to take antidepressants, the patient again manifests depression, and withdrawal syndrome also develops. What to do in such a situation so that the clinical manifestations are not so pronounced? Stop taking drugs should be gradually, gradually reducing the dosage. It is important to understand that withdrawal will still make itself felt. It’s just that the patient will be able to bear it easier.
To cope with a dreary mood, you can take various herbal remedies and drugs of the normotonic group. At the same time, it is very important that the intake of any medication is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a qualified specialist, since self-medication can lead to dangerous complications.
Symptoms of withdrawal when withdrawing antidepressants are:
- insomnia;
- apathy;
- lack of good mood;
- involuntary convulsions;
- trembling limbs;
- palpitations.
The patient’s well-being and clinical manifestations of withdrawal can be aggravated by various medications. Therefore, it is not recommended to take any medications on your own to combat depressed mood.
Smoking Cessation Abstinence
The course of the withdrawal syndrome when you quit smoking is very much like the same that occurs when you stop drinking alcohol. But its clinical manifestations are milder, despite the psychological dependence. Experts note that in medicine withdrawal symptoms do not occur when quitting smoking, but the smoker acquires it on their own.
When quitting nicotine, no treatment is required, since the signs and manifestations that accompany the withdrawal symptom do not pose any threat to health and life. Symptoms of abstinence are increased irritability and a constant obsessive desire to smoke a cigarette. But if a smoker receives proper moral support from relatives, then he will be able to easily cope with it. The most difficult period is the first week of breaking the habit. Then it becomes much easier.
Conclusion
Withdrawal Syndrome is a phenomenon that can happen to everyone. No matter how strong the dependence on the drug or any addictive substance, and no matter how much withdrawal symptoms appear, the patient will be able to cope with everything. Especially if he is serious about getting rid of the habit, as well as if he feels the constant support from loved ones. But you should not rely only on relatives and engage in self-medication, since withdrawal is a very serious manifestation that can constitute a threat to human health, as well as lead to death.