What Causes Drug Withdrawals? | Symptoms & Timelines
This article has been clinically reviewed by Dr. Sean Barlow.
What Are Drug Withdrawals?
When a person uses substances repeatedly, the brain rewires itself to depend on them. Drugs offer certain chemicals that should occur naturally in your brain. Neurotransmitters like dopamine, GABA, and serotonin are present in everyone. They affect pleasure, mood, relaxation, and more. When we take certain types of addictive drugs, we create an artificial sense of reward, relaxation, or euphoria. This is the science behind the high. You may think you are taking a substance to feel good in the moment, but the physical effects go much deeper.
Our brains are quite efficient. So, when these drugs supply the neurotransmitter at a pretty regular interval, our brains don’t have to make them anymore. Of course, we still need these chemicals, so our bodies rely on the drugs to supply them.
What happens when we stop supplying these necessary neurotransmitters? Our body has a problem. And the result is what we call drug withdrawals.
Drug Withdrawal: A Recalibration
When a substance like cocaine or alcohol is suddenly absent, so are the chemicals. At that point, the brain is left scrambling, like losing Wi-Fi in the middle of an important upload. Things are stuck, and resources need to be adjusted to get back on track for a natural supply of neurotransmitters.
This physiological recalibration is withdrawal: a process that can feel like being dragged backward through your own biology.
It is important to remember withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but it is not punishment. It’s the body healing, finding balance, and reinstating what it was like before substances took over. It’s messy, yes, but profoundly human and even courageous.
What Are the Symptoms of Drug Withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms can range from the uncomfortable to the outright harrowing, depending on the substance, the duration of use, and the individual.
Common symptoms include nausea, sweating, tremors, and headaches. Emotional distress—think anxiety and irritability—often comes along for the ride because your brain’s reward system is in the process of a reboot.
For some substances, withdrawal can be life-threatening. Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids are notorious for severe symptoms, including seizures, delirium, or respiratory distress.
These symptoms aren’t just inconvenient—they’re the body signaling it’s in over its head.
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms: Mild to Severe
Mild Withdrawal Symptoms
Fatigue and low energy
Headache
Irritability or mood swings
Mild anxiety or restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleep)
Moderate Withdrawal Symptoms
Intense cravings
Emotional instability (e.g., anger, sadness)
Increased sweating or chills
Nausea or mild gastrointestinal discomfort
Muscle aches or mild tremors
Reduced appetite or overeating
Severe Withdrawal Symptoms
Severe anxiety or panic attacks
Depression or suicidal thoughts
Vomiting and persistent nausea
Significant sleep disturbances (e.g., vivid dreams, insomnia)
Severe muscle pain or stiffness
Heart palpitations or elevated blood pressure
Life-Threatening Withdrawal Symptoms
Seizures
Delirium or confusion
Hallucinations (visual or auditory)
Severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea
Irregular heart rate or chest pain
Extreme agitation or violent behavior
How Long Does Drug Withdrawal Last?
The timeline of withdrawal will be completely dependent on the person. It goes back to the duration of use, the amounts, and the person’s body and metabolism. That said, short-acting substances like heroin or alcohol may trigger symptoms within hours, while longer-acting drugs like benzodiazepines can take days to show up.
Generally, withdrawal follows a predictable arc:
Acute Phase: Symptoms peak within 1–3 days.
Subacute Phase: Symptoms gradually wane over the next 1–2 weeks, though cravings and mood swings may linger.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): For some, subtle symptoms persist for months, a testament to how deeply substances can entrench themselves in the psyche.
What Happens in a Drug Detox?
If withdrawal is the storm, detox at SolutionPoint in Palm Springs is the harbor where you can weather it. Detoxification is the body’s way of purging the substances while recalibrating its systems.
During detox, the liver works overtime, metabolizing and excreting the remnants of the substances, while the brain tries to rewire its circuits.
Heart rates may spike, and sleep cycles can look a bit chaotic.
This is where professional help becomes indispensable. Medical supervision ensures that symptoms are managed, complications are mitigated, and the process is as safe as possible.
Reach Out to Detox in Palm Springs, California
Drug withdrawal is a storm, but storms pass. And when they do, and with help from a professional addiction treatment center, they can leave behind clear skies and fresh air.
If you or someone you love is facing the daunting path of withdrawal, know that professional help isn’t just an option—it’s a lifeline.
Call our team at SolutionPoint today. Our team is here to walk you through your options and offer the best help you can get. Call today: (844) 696-1719.
This article has been clinically reviewed by Dr. Sean Barlow.
