What Does Withdrawal Feel Like Exactly?

Approximately 10% of adults in the United States suffer from some form of drug addiction. One of the primary factors that make quitting so difficult is experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

In some cases, these can be so debilitating that medical attention is required.

But, what does withdrawal feel like? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.

Heavy Fatigue

One of the most common symptoms of withdrawal is the feeling of overwhelming fatigue or exhaustion. For example, someone who normally feels full of energy and has no problem taking part in athletic activities they feel like it’s impossible for them to reach the same level of performance.

In some cases, the affected individual may even have trouble getting out of bed, Which could adversely impact their obligations related to work or family.

Physical Discomfort/Pain

As your body acclimates to the reduced consumption of a particular substance, you will often feel significant physical discomfort and even pain. It’s also not uncommon to experience a tingling, burning, or throbbing sensation throughout your entire body.

Many times, the physical discomfort associated with withdrawal mimics flu-like symptoms, such as chills, increased body temperature, etc. Depending on how strong your previous addiction was, the symptoms could last for days or weeks without showing signs of slowing down. 

Nausea

Unfortunately, there’s another symptom that could significantly impact your quality-of-life during withdrawal— nausea.

Those experiencing withdrawal-related nausea often claimed that it is highly debilitating. But, it frequently comes in waves as opposed to being constant. It’s also not uncommon to vomit frequently even when your stomach is entirely empty. 

This symptom alone is often enough for people to seek medical attention, as withdrawal-related nausea can easily become overwhelming.

Psychological Complications

Individuals who are experiencing withdrawal often deal with a handful of psychological symptoms in addition to the aforementioned conditions. Some of the most common are feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and extreme irritability.

The latter is one of the most frequently seen, and those experiencing withdrawal often lash out at friends or family for unexplained reasons. These feelings also tend to rapidly shift, causing you to experience periodic spikes in psychological symptoms that come and go on their own.

These symptoms can be just as cropping as physical ones, and it’s highly recommended to seek treatment if you feel unable to accommodate them on your own. 

You can visit this resource for five tips to know when overcoming withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding ‘What Does Withdrawal Feel Like’ Can Seem Difficult

But it doesn’t have to be.

With the above information about the answer to ‘what does withdrawal feel like’ in mind, you’ll be well on your way toward making the decisions that are best for you and your future.

Want to learn more tips that can help you out down the road? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog.

katy petter

Passionate health content writer dedicated to simplifying complex medical topics and promoting wellness. With expertise in nutrition, fitness, and medical breakthroughs, I create informative and engaging content to empower readers in their journey to better health. Let's inspire a healthier world together.

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