Article Written By: Shruthi Mohanraja
Article Cover By: Sofia Holmes
Withdrawal is one of the hardest parts of detoxification. Whether it’s cutting down on substance use or bad habits, withdrawal symptoms usually deter people from completely stopping. It is okay to seek help to withdraw from something you think is unsafe for you, and there are several facilities to help. But first: what exactly is withdrawal, and why is it so hard?
Withdrawal, formally, is to cut down and cease taking an addictive drug. Most people are willing to stop, but they can’t deal with all the symptoms and pain that come along with it. Symptoms worsen depending on a lot of factors, including:
The type of substance or behavior
How long it was used
A person’s physical and mental characteristics
What process of withdrawal is used
Another reason why withdrawal is difficult is because of addiction. Addiction to a substance or behavior makes it hard to let go. As someone indulges more and more into a drug, that drug changes the person’s self control. Furthermore, once a person builds tolerance to the certain amount of drug they take, their level of euphoria decreases compared to when they first took the drug. People often increase their dosage to chase after the euphoria.
Since there are so many factors to weigh in regarding withdrawal, there are also several accommodations for withdrawing. The three main services for serious withdrawal are home-based withdrawal, outpatient withdrawal, and residential withdrawal.
Home-based is for uncomplicating withdrawal, where a team consisting of a doctor, a nurse, and a support person (friends/family) operate from the patient’s home. Outpatient involves check-ins with a health professional for several hours a day, but the patient can continue with their daily routine. Residential withdrawal is for people who have not had much success with other withdrawal programs. This includes 24 hour supervision in a medical facility, such as a hospital, and is usually for two to three months (but can depend on the patient).
Although withdrawal seems like a lot of work, it can be done with the right help and support. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when it comes to withdrawing, because it will be harder to do so later on.
Sources: