Getting through withdrawal is a vital step on the path toward addiction recovery. But trying to do so on your own can put both your physical and mental health at risk. When you complete a detoxification program under the care of professionals who understand the relationship between mental health and withdrawal, you will be better prepared to navigate the challenges of recovery and achieve the best possible quality of life.
What is Withdrawal?
 When a person becomes addicted to alcohol or another drug, their body adapts to the presence of the substance they have been abusing. If that person abruptly ends their substance use, or if they are unable to acquire the drug that they’ve become dependent on, their body may react with a variety of painful symptoms. This experience is known as withdrawal. Withdrawal is one of the classic signs of addiction. Depending on which drug a person has become dependent upon, withdrawal can include both physical and psychological distress. In some extreme cases, withdrawal symptoms can even be life-threatening.
The pain of withdrawal can quickly push a person back into active substance abuse. This is one of the reasons why detoxification, or detox, can be such an important step. Detox is a professionally supervised program in which people can complete withdrawal safely and with minimized discomfort.
Withdrawals Effects on the Brain
When withdrawal is depicted in a television show or film, the physical symptoms are often highlighted. But withdrawal from addictive substances can also have a powerful effect on a person’s mind. The mental health implications of withdrawal underscore the importance of receiving professional treatment at a trusted detoxification program.
Alcohol Withdrawal and Mental HealthÂ
The mental health impact of alcohol withdrawal can include agitation, anxiety, and depression. In more severe cases, people who are completing alcohol withdrawal may experience auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations, along with delusions and extreme disorientation.
The ubiquity of alcohol in modern American society can also have an effect on a person’s mental health after they’ve completed withdrawal and finished treatment. Social pressure to drink is sadly common in both personal and professional settings. In addition to adopting effective strategies to resist these demands, it is also important for people to build the self-confidence that will allow them to stand up for themselves and protect their recovery.
Opioid Withdrawal and Mental Health
Anxiety and agitation are the most common mental health symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Opioid addiction is also associated with depression and irritability. The severity of these symptoms may change while a person is in the process of withdrawing from opioids.
Since many people first abuse opioids due to chronic pain, they may experience additional psychological distress when this discomfort is no longer masked by opioids. Therapy during treatment can introduce people to alternative means of managing their pain, so they can experience relief without resorting to opioids or other potentially addictive medications.
Amphetamine Withdrawal and Mental Health
Long-term amphetamine abuse and amphetamine addiction may increase a person’s risk for several severe mental health concerns. Studies indicate that the mental health impact of amphetamine abuse can include anxiety, panic, psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation. When a person is in the process of withdrawing from amphetamines, it is important that they receive care for these and any other mental health symptoms that they are experiencing.
The Connection Between Withdrawal and Depression
It is no secret that withdrawal can be a stressful experience. Physical discomfort, fear of the unknown, and worries about maintaining a drug-free future can have a negative impact on a person’s emotional well-being. If a person doesn’t have the ability to manage this stress in a healthy manner, they may be at risk for symptoms of depression.
When you complete the withdrawal process in a reputable detox program, you will work with caregivers who understand the association between mental health and withdrawal. These professionals may provide both medical and therapeutic support to help you manage the symptoms of depression and other mental health concerns.
Detox professionals can also provide essential care for those who had been experiencing depression symptoms prior to trying to end their substance abuse. For example, if a client has been taking antidepressants or receiving other services to help them manage their symptoms, their detox treatment team can take this information into account when developing their personalized care plan.
Importance of Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
When a person has a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder, it is essential that they receive comprehensive care that addresses both concerns. This is true during detox and throughout the rest of a person’s time in treatment.
Dual diagnosis treatment can help a person understand the relationship between their addiction and their mental health challenges.
If a person began to use substances as a means of self-medicating the symptoms of a mental health disorder, treatment can teach them more effective coping strategies. If their mental health challenges arose from the trauma of untreated addiction, their recovery plan can include the appropriate therapies and support services to address this concern.
Begin Detox in Nashville, TN
Brentwood Springs Detox is a premier source of holistic detoxification services for adults in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. Men and women who choose our center can expect to receive personalized care in a safe and supportive environment. When you are ready to start your recovery journey, the Brentwood Springs Detox team is here for you. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
