There’s no drug that should be considered safer than another based on its withdrawal symptoms. That being said, it’s good to know what to expect from some of the most impactful drugs and their withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction and substance abuse cause severe changes to mood, memory and critical thinking skills both during use and, in some cases, for the rest of the individual’s life. The worst withdrawal symptoms come from substances that impact how the brain operates, primarily increasing the sense of pleasure felt during use. Here are the top five drugs with the most withdrawal symptoms.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a popular stimulant drug that provides a short but intense period of euphoria and excitement followed by an immediate come down into depression. The rush of dopamine created by cocaine leads to the brain creating less of it on its own, the cause of consistent depression following cocaine use. Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine include:
- Irritability
- Intense cravings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Night terrors
- Suicidal thoughts
Methamphetamine and Crystal Meth
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a synthetic stimulant that can be ingested in multiple ways leading to high accessibility for a potent but fleeting drug experience. Whether it’s in powder or crystal form, meth quickly leads to an intense and overwhelming high along with increased aggression and possible psychosis.
Due to how rapidly the effects of meth can come and go, there are near immediate side effects such as depression and muscle fatigue. Other methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms include:
- headaches
- psychosis
- muscle pain and spasms
- appetite changes
- intense cravings
- anxiety
- insomnia
- irregular sleep
- anxiety
In cases where meth abuse has occurred for years on end, extensive brain damage can occur. The negative consequences of this include trouble creating new memories, accessing old ones and regulating emotions. Thankfully these damages can be repaired but it takes years of abstaining from drug use to achieve.
Opiate and Opioid Drugs
Among the most common opioid drugs is heroin, another drug with rapid onset effects. The drug creates a euphoric effect for the user that is unachievable without it. Heroin is also one of the drugs often laced with fentanyl, a substance 50 times stronger than heroin.
Prescription opioid drugs are also commonly abused and can lead to addiction even if taken as directed. Name brand opioids include Vicodin and OxyContin with less common variants consisting of codeine, morphine and methadone. Opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Head and muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Flu-like symptoms
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Benzodiazepines
Typically used to aid in anxiety, benzodiazepines act as sedatives that reduce activity in the brain to lower stress levels and increase relaxation. Benzos are some of the most addicting drugs available with many cases of addiction starting with a valid prescription. Brands of benzos commonly abuse include Valium, Xanax and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms can present themselves as:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Muscle pains
- Sweating
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Depression
Severe cases of benzo withdrawal can even lead to hallucinations, numbness in limbs, seizures and sensory overload. If withdrawal is not done under the medical supervision of a rehab team, these symptoms can be fatal.
Alcohol
Even if you don’t consider alcohol a drug, the fact that it’s the most abused psychoactive substance in America has led to it receiving the same treatment as any other drug. As with any other substance that impacts the brain, alcohol begins altering the brain’s processes causing it to learn how to function alone once detox and withdrawals begin. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms consist of:
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
In severe cases, individuals can experience delirium tremens, also known as DTs. The symptoms associated with DTs are vivid hallucinations, extreme confusion, loss of a perception of reality and even fatal seizures.
Don’t Face Withdrawal Symptoms Alone
America’s Rehab Campus has years of experience helping individuals overcome their addiction to the above drugs and more. When the time comes for you or a loved one to end their substance abuse, we encourage you to reach out to our team for a private consultation today.
