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Originally Posted On: When Do Withdrawal Symptoms Start? – America’s Rehab Campuses

Overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction is no easy feat. It takes an immense amount of courage to ask for help and start taking steps in the right direction. Because you may encounter many different obstacles on the path to recovery, it’s crucial to have a strong support system in place. This will help you make meaningful progress on your journey towards a better life.

One of the biggest hurdles that recovering addicts face is withdrawal. This is often the most challenging part of recovery, as the symptoms of withdrawal can be very severe and painful. However, understanding the nature of the withdrawal process and knowing what to expect can allow you to cope better. If you have questions about drug or alcohol withdrawal, such as when symptoms begin, we’re here to give you all the answers you need.

Understanding Withdrawal

Withdrawal is your body’s response to the process of abstaining from drugs or alcohol. When you suddenly stop drinking or taking drugs, your body begins to crave the missing substance and reacts by developing unpleasant symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms vary widely from one person to the next. However, there are several core symptoms that are highly common for many recovering addicts. These include the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Hallucinations
• Sweating
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Shakiness

Familiarizing yourself with these side effects can help you better recognize them if they appear. It’s important to note that enduring the withdrawal process on your own is not only difficult, but it can also be dangerous. A medical drug detox is a far safer and more effective way to manage your symptoms in a controlled environment. When you’re closely monitored by medical professionals, you can reduce the risk of dangerous complications that may result from severe symptoms.

When Do Withdrawal Symptoms Start?

Withdrawal symptoms begin at different stages of the recovery process depending on a variety of factors. The type of substance you’ve been using, how long you’ve been using it, and the manner in which you used the substance all play a role in how long it takes your symptoms to appear. Moreover, personal factors such as your genetic profile and metabolism are known to influence the onset of side effects.

That said, it’s most common for withdrawal symptoms to begin about 8 hours after your last time using drugs or alcohol. Once they appear, these symptoms tend to reach their peak 24-72 hours later. However, this is just an average, and your experience will likely be different from someone else’s.

The duration of withdrawal also varies from one patient to the next. While some patients may only struggle through the withdrawal process for several days, others might not find relief until weeks or even months later. The detox process is therefore unique to each recovering addict, as everyone experiences withdrawal in a different way.

Conquering Your Addiction

When going through the withdrawal process, it’s vital to seek out the resources you need to support you every step of the way. Addiction recovery is a highly personal experience, and it’s crucial to ensure that the treatment program you choose is tailored to your individual needs. America’s Rehab Campuses offers medical detox to help you recover safely from a drug or alcohol addiction. Contact us today to learn more about our custom-tailored treatments to help you overcome drug dependence.