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Medically Reviewed by Julie Bilbrey
Last Updated on:
March 19, 2025
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Withdrawal is one of the most challenging aspects of overcoming substance use disorders.
When someone dependent on drugs or alcohol stops using, their body and mind react with a number of symptoms that can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening.
Approximately 20.4 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in 2019, yet only about 10% of those individuals received specialized treatment.
One significant barrier to seeking help is fear of withdrawal symptoms.
Understanding what to expect can help individuals and their loved ones prepare for this crucial first step toward recovery.
Withdrawal is physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone who has developed a dependence on drugs or alcohol suddenly reduces or stops their use.
During regular substance use, the brain adapts by adjusting its chemical balance. Because alcohol enhances the effects of GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter) and suppresses glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter), the brain compensates by reducing GABA receptor sensitivity and increasing glutamate activity.
When alcohol is suddenly removed, this chemical imbalance results in the nervous system becoming hyperactive, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms vary widely depending on:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes that withdrawal is not merely a matter of willpower but a complex physiological and psychological process requiring proper medical attention in many cases.
Nashville Treatment Solutions is an industry leader in addiction treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
Withdrawal timelines vary significantly based on the substance used. Here’s a detailed breakdown for common substances:
Alcohol withdrawal can be extremely dangerous potentially leading to life-threatening complications without proper medical supervision.
Common alcohol symptoms:
Approximately 50% of alcohol-dependent individuals will experience withdrawal symptoms, with 3-5% developing severe symptoms like delirium tremens, which has a mortality rate of 1-4% without proper treatment.
Opioid withdrawal, while rarely life-threatening, produces intensely uncomfortable physical symptoms that can drive individuals back to use without proper support and treatment.
Common opioid withdrawal symptoms:
More than 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, with opioids involved in approximately 70% of those deaths.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be particularly dangerous and unpredictable, potentially causing severe complications including life-threatening seizures when discontinued abruptly after long-term use.
Common symptoms:
40% of people who take benzodiazepines daily for six weeks or longer will experience moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the medication, with up to 10-15% developing a protracted withdrawal syndrome lasting months or years.
Methamphetamine withdrawal is marked by a profound crash period followed by extended psychological symptoms that can persist for months, making it one of the most challenging substances to discontinue.
Common symptoms:
Methamphetamine withdrawal is often characterized by significant neuropsychiatric symptoms, with depression and suicidal ideation being particularly concerning and requiring close monitoring.
Ketamine withdrawal primarily manifests as psychological symptoms rather than physical ones, with depression and cravings being particularly challenging aspects of discontinuation.
Common symptoms:
Psychological symptoms often predominate in ketamine withdrawal, with depression being particularly concerning due to the risk of suicidal ideation.
Suboxone withdrawal symptoms can happen, even when discontinued, particularly if stopped abruptly rather than through a gradual taper.
Common symptoms:
Research in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment indicates that Suboxone withdrawal can be more prolonged than with short-acting opioids due to its long half-life, though symptoms may be less intense when properly tapered (Ling et al., 2009).
Adderall withdrawal symptoms typically involve a “crash” characterized by extreme fatigue, depression, and cognitive difficulties as the brain adjusts to functioning without stimulation.
Common symptoms:
Though often marketed as a milder alternative to traditional cannabis, this drug can still produce delta-8 withdrawal symptoms in heavy, regular users when consumption stops.
Common symptoms:
Research on Delta-8 THC withdrawal is still emerging, but a 2022 report in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research suggests that withdrawal symptoms are generally milder than with Delta 9 THC but follow similar patterns.
Kratom withdrawal symptoms can produce withdrawal symptoms similar to traditional opioids when used regularly in high doses.
Common symptoms:
To understand withdrawal, it’s essential to recognize the difference between dependence and addiction:
Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to a substance’s presence and requires it to function normally. When the substance is removed, physical withdrawal symptoms emerge.
Psychological dependence involves emotional and cognitive reliance on a substance to manage stress, emotions, or daily life.
Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite harmful consequences and typically involves both physical and psychological dependence.
The severity of withdrawal symptoms directly correlates with the degree of dependence.
Effective management not only minimizes discomfort and reduces risks but also establishes a foundation for long-term recovery.
Proper withdrawal management can significantly improve treatment retention rates and early recovery outcomes, with professionally managed withdrawals showing up to 30% better completion rates than unmanaged attempts.
Treatments for withdrawal symptoms should be monitored by substance use disorder professionals and can include:
Detox provides supervised withdrawal in a controlled environment where medical professionals can monitor vital signs, administer medications as needed, and respond immediately to complications.
A comprehensive medical detox program typically includes:
Medication-Assisted Treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a “whole-patient” approach to substance use disorders.
Common MAT approaches include:
For Opioid Use Disorder:
For Alcohol Use Disorder:
Residential or inpatient rehab provides a structured, substance-free environment where individuals can focus entirely on recovery without external triggers or access to substances.
Withdrawal, though challenging, is a necessary and manageable first step toward recovery from substance use disorders. At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to withdrawal management that address both the physical and psychological aspects of this process.
With appropriate medical supervision, support, and ongoing treatment, the discomfort of withdrawal can give way to the lasting rewards of recovery.
Learn more about our Nashville addiction treatment programs or call us now at 615-234-9425.
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