Withdrawal Not Limited to Alcohol, Drugs

Withdrawal isn’t limited only to alcohol and illegal drugs. We now know that users of legal substances can go through withdrawal as well. Prescription meds can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that require medical supervision. One can even feel withdrawal symptoms from certain foods or beverages including caffeine and sugar.

One of the hardest legal substances to quit is probably cigarette smoking. Quitting smoking leads to withdrawal symptoms due to the fact that the nicotine contained in cigarettes is powerfully addictive. In active tobacco users, a lack of nicotine produces a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, including any or all of the following:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Falling heart rate and blood pressure
• Fatigue, drowsiness, and insomnia
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Increased hunger and caloric intake
• Increased desire for the taste of sweets
• Tobacco cravings

While withdrawal symptoms are certainly unpleasant, they are temporary, and the benefit of quitting is better overall health and lowered risk for smoking-related diseases like lung cancer and stroke.

Often those battling substance abuse will begin smoking or continue smoking throughout treatment and recovery. While this isn’t incongruous with sobriety, as you get healthy in other areas, you might be more inclined to consider quitting smoking as well. Your body will certainly thank you!

Addiction Help at The Canyon

If you or someone you love needs help with substance use detox or drug treatment, call The Canyon at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.