Substance Withdrawal
What Is Substance Withdrawal?
Substance withdrawal is a set of various symptoms brought on by the removal of an addictive substance from the body of an addicted person. These symptoms can range from nuisance to life threatening, depending on the substance involved and how long the addict has been using the substance. It is also sometimes seen in newborn babies born to addicted mothers.
What Are the Symptoms of Substance Withdrawal?
The exact symptoms suffered by a recovering addict will vary based on length of drug use and type of substance the person has been addicted to. The symptoms may include both physical and psychological problems.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Hyperactivity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Heart palpitations
- Intense itchiness that is not resolved by scratching
What Are the Causes of Substance Withdrawal Symptoms?
These symptoms are caused by the lack of the addictive substance in the body. Only a person who is addicted to something can suffer from substance withdrawal.
Can Any Complications Arise If Left Untreated?
In many cases, over time the body's dependence on the addictive substance will wane and the symptoms will abate. In the case of some narcotics and illicit drugs, withdrawal symptoms may be life threatening if it is not done under medical supervision. The risks of withdrawal heavily outweigh the dangers associated with continuing to use the addictive substance.
What Medications Treat Substance Withdrawal?
The exact medications needed to help a person through substance withdrawal depend on the type of substance they are trying to break free from and their general health. The earlier in the addiction the person can stop, the fewer the withdrawal symptoms and the better the chances of long-term success. Here are a few medications used to treat various substance withdrawal symptoms.
Common medications may include
Agents for Opioid Withdrawal, Opioid-Type
Drugs used to relieve moderate to severe pain caused by opioid withdrawal.
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Analgesic Narcotic Agonists and Combinations
Drugs used to relieve moderate to severe pain. These can be used seperately or in combination with another non-narcotic/opioid analgesic
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Analgesic Opioid Agonists and Combinations
Drugs used to relieve moderate to severe pain. These can be used seperately or in combination with another non-narcotic/opioid analgesic
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Antianxiety Agent - Antihistamine Type
Drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions. Specifically using antihistamines.
Antianxiety Agent - Benzodiazepines
Drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions. Specifically using benzodiazepines.
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Antianxiety Agent - Dicarbamate Type
Drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions. Specifically using dicarbamates.
Antianxiety Agent - Non-Benzodiazepine
Drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions. Specifiically using non-benzodiazepines.
Anticonvulsant - AMPA-Type Glutamate Receptor Antagonists
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Barbiturates and Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures. Derived from barbituric acid that act as depressants to the central nervous system.
Anticonvulsant - Benzodiazepines
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures. Benzodiazepines are primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions.
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Anticonvulsant - Cannabinoid Type
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures primariily using cannabinoid.
Anticonvulsant - Carbamates
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Functionalized Amino Acid
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - GABA Analogs
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - GABA Modulators
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Hydantoins
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Iminostilbene Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
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Anticonvulsant - Monosaccharide Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Phenyltriazine Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Pyrrolidine Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Succinimides
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Sulfonamide Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant - Triazole Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Anticonvulsant Others
Drugs that prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of seizures.
Antidepressant - Alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists (NaSSA)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant - Monamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders. These inhibit MAO and thus they increase epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
Antidepressant - Neuroactive Steroid GABA-A Receptor Modulator
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant - Norepinephrine & Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders. These work by increasing the bodys serotonin level.
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Antidepressant - Serotonin-2 Antagonist-Reuptake Inhibitors (SARIs)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant - Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
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Antidepressant - SSRI and 5HT1A Partial Agonist
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant - SSRI and Serotonin (5-HT) Receptor Modulator
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant - Tricyclics & Related (Non-Select Reuptake Inhibitors)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders. These block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the nerve endings, thus increasing the actions of both in the nerve cells.
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Antidepressant Combinations
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antidepressant-Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs)
Drugs that reduce symptons of depressive disorders.
Antiemetic - Selective Serotonin 5-HT3 Antagonists
Drugs used to treat nauseau and vomitting.
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Antipsychotic - Atypical Agents, General
Drugs that have the capacity to sedate, tranquilize, blunt emotional expression, and attenuate aggressive and impulsive behavior.
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Antipsychotic - Dopamine Antagonists
Drugs that have the capacity to sedate, tranquilize, blunt emotional expression, and attenuate aggressive and impulsive behavior.
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Antipsychotic - Dopamine-Serotonin Antagonists
Drugs that have the capacity to sedate, tranquilize, blunt emotional expression, and attenuate aggressive and impulsive behavior.
Beta Blockers Cardiac Selective, All
Drugs that reduce blood pressure, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents. Nonselective blockers lower blood pressure without a reduction in heart rate or reflex tachycardia.
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Bipolar Therapy Agents - Anticonvulsant Type
Drugs used to treat bipolar disorder and have anti seizing properties.
Minerals & Electrolytes - Electrolytes & Combinations
n/a
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Minerals and Electrolytes - Electrolytes and Combinations
n/a
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Sedative-Hypnotic - Non-Barbiturates
Drugs used to reduce tension and anxiety and induce calm or to induce sleep not consisting of or pertaining to barbiturates
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Smoking Deterrents, Systemic
Used for smoking cessation, effects the entire system
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References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112