After a long period of use, stopping any medication or controlled substance abruptly can result in withdrawal symptoms that are uncomfortable at best and dangerous at their worst. Even going without caffeine for a day or two is enough to cause withdrawal symptoms for some people. Withdrawal is most difficult for those who have become dependent on a substance or a medication. In most cases, the worst part of withdrawal passes within a week or two.
College can come with a lot of stress and social pressure around drinking and substance use. Recovery programs for alcohol and substance use often don’t provide sufficient education or support when it comes to mental health. If your substance or medication helped you cope with stressful situations, you may need to find more positive coping strategies and relationships you can replace it with.
This article describes common effects that withdrawal from substances and medications can have on your mental health in the long run, and it offers some ideas on how to relieve your symptoms.
How can substance and medication withdrawal affect my mental health?
Withdrawal symptoms vary between different substances and medications and from person to person. During the initial, most intense period of withdrawal, people are most vulnerable to physical symptoms that can be very distressing and distracting. Some more acute mental health symptoms like agitation, irritability, hallucinations, hypervigilance, dizziness and discomfort will also subside after this period of intense withdrawal.
In the long term, withdrawal from a medication or a substance can continue impacting your mental health for weeks or months. You may experience anxiety, depression, cravings, insomnia or changes in appetite. Sometimes people go through a grieving period after the loss of a coping mechanism or the social life that comes with it. Mood changes and other symptoms can make it difficult to socialize, so maintaining supportive relationships during this time can be challenging. It may take some time to create healthier habits, but if you’re taking the time to read this article, you’re on the right track. Recovery is possible for you.
What mental health symptoms are typical with substance withdrawal?
Most mental health symptoms associated with substance withdrawal feel like anxiety or depression symptoms. Cravings, irritability and cognitive symptoms, however, can also occur. Those withdrawing from alcohol, opiates and other “harder” substances may risk more serious symptoms and complications, such as seizures, hallucinations and death. Delirium tremens (DTs) is unique to alcohol withdrawal. It’s an altered state that can involve disorientation, hallucinations and sometimes an abnormal activation of the autonomic nervous system. This might involve agitation, shakes or convulsions, a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, or fever. DTs can lead to serious complications or death, so it’s important to get medical attention.
The following are some symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, opiates and other substances that can affect your mental health:
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hypervigilance
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Insomnia
- Excessive sleep
- A general sense of discomfort or unease
- Changes in appetite
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
- Hallucinations
- Delirium tremens
What mental health symptoms are typical with medication withdrawal?
There’s a lot of variation in terms of withdrawal symptoms between different medications. We can’t cover all of the possibilities here. You should talk with your doctor before stopping any prescription medication or other medications that can cause dependence. However, some types of medication are known to cause common withdrawal effects.
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) is a common reaction to stopping antidepressant use that is unpleasant, but usually not dangerous. In contrast, other medications like benzodiazepines, Z-drugs (such as zolpidem), opioids, gabapentin, and pregabalin come with a high risk of dependency. Oxycodone is a long-acting opioid that can cause dangerous withdrawal effects. Talk with your doctor about how to taper off your medication safely, with minimal symptoms.
The following symptoms of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome can affect your mental health:
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Burning, tingling or shock-like sensations (paresthesia)
- Mood changes, like anxiety, irritability, agitation and aggression
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
The following symptoms of withdrawal from oxycodone and other prescription medications can affect your mental health:
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Issues with learning and memory
- Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
- Sleep problems
- Apathy or lack of pleasure
- Difficulty handling stress
How can I improve my mental health during and after withdrawal?
Your environment and the things you do to regulate your emotions are very important for mental wellness during withdrawal and beyond. If cravings are a problem for you, make sure your home is free of substances that may be harmful to your recovery process. You should also find positive activities that help you manage stress and negative emotions. Exercise, art projects, volunteering, and other hobbies like playing a musical instrument, reading or knitting all come with unique benefits.
A strong support system and positive relationships are also necessary for long-term mental well-being. You should have a therapist or clinicians at a higher level of treatment to provide objective and structured mental health support. However, they aren’t always available to talk outside of business hours. Find someone you can talk to when you’re feeling stressed, especially if you’re likely to relapse. If you don’t have anyone like this in your life, groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can be a great way to meet people.
Once you’ve made it through withdrawal, Residential Treatment (RTC) or a structured outpatient program can help you lay a foundation for long-term mental wellness. At higher levels of mental health care, you can receive a lot of one-on-one treatment while learning new coping skills and having great conversations with others on their own journeys to recovery.
At Lightfully, we provide holistic, forward-looking treatments that are highly personalized for each client. Our Precision Care Model (PCM) blends a unique selection of evidence-based treatments targeted to meet your current needs and help you make steps toward long-term goals. If you’re balancing a busy school schedule, we can work around it. Learn more about Lightfully U for college-aged young adults.
Have questions? Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today. You can make it through this transition, and a brighter future is possible.
