Di from CADS on everything you need to know about withdrawing from drugs
Wednesday, 28 March 2007.
Originally from express article 28 March 2007
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Di from CADS on everything you need to know about withdrawing from drugs. |
Autumn for a lot of us signals the end of the party season. It may be the time when you consider cutting down or even stopping your drug use. Now the truth is that every time you use any psycho-active substance, (i.e. alcohol, nicotine or methamphetamine) it is going to have an effect on your central nervous system (CNS - your noggin/brain).
If you use these substances regularly and over a long time, your body will go through a number of changes to get used to having these substances in your system. When the substance effect wears off, your body reacts - this reaction is called withdrawal. Of course, the more your body has adapted to the substance, the more intense the withdrawal. It is a period of readjustment.
The type of symptoms that people go through during withdrawal varies according to the kind of drug they are withdrawing from. The experiences of individuals also varies, some people have an easier time of it – even if they have used the same drug for the same amount of time. Other factors that influence withdrawal are: general health, how hydrated you are, how well you eat, if you have been using on a regular basis, the environment and what is happening in your life.
So taking all that into consideration I will outline some of the more common withdrawal symptoms for heavy long term users of methamphetamine, alcohol and cannabis.
Withdrawing from methamphetamine
I will start with this one, as it has received the most press lately. The most intense withdrawals are experienced in the first 10 days. This can include exhaustion, increased sleep, depression, cravings (strong urges to use), mood swings: from feeling anxious, irritable or agitated to feeling flat and lacking energy, poor sleep, general aches and pains, headaches, increased appetite, strange and paranoid thoughts (people out to get you), and confusion/misunderstanding things. After about 7 days most symptoms start to settle down, although mood swings, poor sleep and cravings can last up to three months (from “Getting through Amphetamine Withdrawal” – Turning Point, Australia).
Withdrawing from alcohol
The first thing I have to mention is that if a heavy long term drinker is thinking about stopping, I would strongly recommend they talk to their local Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) or doctor, as withdrawal from alcohol can be life threatening – unlike withdrawal from most other drugs. Withdrawal symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, anxiety, inability to sleep, irritability, confusion, tremors, sweating and cravings. These symptoms tend to settle down after 4 to 7 days.
Withdrawing from cannabis
The withdrawal symptoms of cannabis can be more subtle, but can include irritability, nervousness, sweating, upset stomach, sleep disturbances, and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually only last about a week, although some symptoms such as sleep disturbances and irritability may last longer.
Forewarned is forearmed so they say – next issue I will talk about how to plan for a successful withdrawal.
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other drug use, or if you'd like more information, contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz or if you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
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