And the answer to the first drug is nicotine, that naturally occurring pesticide, one of the world’s most popular drugs and probably the most costly world wide too. Many of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are similar to those of other drug withdrawal syndromes: anxiety, awakening during sleep, depression, difficulty concentrating, impatience, irritability/anger and restlessness. Slowing of the heart rate and weight gain are distinguishing features of tobacco withdrawal.
Nicotine withdrawal can last for several weeks and can be severe in some smokers.
Many people would argue that regular smoking can be far worse for your health than quite a few illicit drugs would be. If you want to do your body a favour, try calling the Quitline on 13 7848 and talk through all the various options. Smoking costs the government millions of dollars in health care every year so they have developed a lot of supports for anyone wanting to kick the weed...
Probably the world’s most ancient drug, our second drug is good old alcohol. Withdrawals from heavy alcohol use can be life threatening and the DTs (delirium tremens) are no fun, with hallucinations and profound confusion setting in. Once DT’s begin, there is no known medical treatment to stop them. Grand mal seizures, heart attacks and stroke can occur during the DT’s, all of which can be fatal.
Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms, but most people who have been drinking for a long period of time, or drinking frequently, or drink heavily when they do drink, will experience some form of withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking suddenly.
It can be a good idea to talk with a medical professional before going cold turkey if you have been drinking pretty heavily. There are detox units available too, where medication can help with potentially dangerous severe withdrawals.
In third place we have the world’s most popular recreational drug, caffeine, the only one you can engage in at pretty much any workplace or social situation (unless you are a Mormon).
Reduction in serotonin levels when caffeine use is stopped can cause anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks; in extreme cases it may cause mild depression.
Withdrawal symptoms may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days - representing the time required for the number of adenosine receptors in the brain to revert to “normal” levels, uninfluenced by caffeine consumption. Analgesics, such as aspirin, can relieve the pain symptoms, as can a small dose of caffeine.
Copyright © 2007 Safer Injecting: harm reduction for injecting drug users.
Nicotine withdrawal can last for several weeks and can be severe in some smokers.
Many people would argue that regular smoking can be far worse for your health than quite a few illicit drugs would be. If you want to do your body a favour, try calling the Quitline on 13 7848 and talk through all the various options. Smoking costs the government millions of dollars in health care every year so they have developed a lot of supports for anyone wanting to kick the weed...
Probably the world’s most ancient drug, our second drug is good old alcohol. Withdrawals from heavy alcohol use can be life threatening and the DTs (delirium tremens) are no fun, with hallucinations and profound confusion setting in. Once DT’s begin, there is no known medical treatment to stop them. Grand mal seizures, heart attacks and stroke can occur during the DT’s, all of which can be fatal.
Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms, but most people who have been drinking for a long period of time, or drinking frequently, or drink heavily when they do drink, will experience some form of withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking suddenly.
It can be a good idea to talk with a medical professional before going cold turkey if you have been drinking pretty heavily. There are detox units available too, where medication can help with potentially dangerous severe withdrawals.
In third place we have the world’s most popular recreational drug, caffeine, the only one you can engage in at pretty much any workplace or social situation (unless you are a Mormon).
Reduction in serotonin levels when caffeine use is stopped can cause anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks; in extreme cases it may cause mild depression.
Withdrawal symptoms may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days - representing the time required for the number of adenosine receptors in the brain to revert to “normal” levels, uninfluenced by caffeine consumption. Analgesics, such as aspirin, can relieve the pain symptoms, as can a small dose of caffeine.
Copyright © 2007 Safer Injecting: harm reduction for injecting drug users.