What Are Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms?
Psychological withdrawal symptoms refer to the emotional and psychological effects that can occur when someone stops or drastically reduces their use of drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors.
Unlike the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal, psychological symptoms tend to be more prolonged and can pose significant challenges on the road to recovery.
For a free, confidential consultation with a pH Wellness intake specialist, call 844-549-2488.
What Causes Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms?
Psychological withdrawal symptoms are caused by complex changes in brain chemistry that occur with long-term substance abuse. Here's an overview:
The brain adapts to the constant presence of a drug or alcohol, altering neurotransmitter levels and communication pathways to compensate. Neurotransmitters impacted include dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate.
When substance use stops, these brain adaptations cause imbalances as the system struggles to readjust. This leads to the emergence of withdrawal symptoms.
Both physical and psychological factors play important and interrelated roles in this process. Psychological symptoms can be just as disruptive as physical ones.
According to SAMHSA’s National Helpline, withdrawal symptoms depend on many factors such as the substance used, length of use, age, health status, route of administration, and co-occurring disorders.
Psychological symptoms may be severe for anyone who undergoes withdrawal, but they may be especially intense for those with trauma histories or mental health issues.
Common Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the most common psychological withdrawal symptoms include:
Anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness
Irritability, emotional volatility, angry outbursts
Sadness, lack of motivation, fatigue
Difficulty experiencing pleasure or joy
Sleep disturbances, appetite changes
Intense substance cravings
Impaired cognition, concentration, memory
Mood swings, emotional overreaction
Social isolation, loneliness
Low self-esteem, lack of confidence
More severe psychological symptoms can also occur like hallucinations, delusions, suicidal ideation, and self-harm tendencies. These require urgent medical care. The timeline and duration of symptoms can vary significantly by substance. According to the NCBI, psychological symptoms may persist for weeks to months during protracted withdrawal.
Risk Factors and Dangers
Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of experiencing more severe psychological withdrawal symptoms:
Underlying mental illness or trauma history
Prior unsuccessful withdrawal attempts
Polysubstance abuse
High-dose, long-term, or IV drug use
Lack of social/recovery support system
The dangers of unmanaged psychological withdrawal include:
Increased risk of relapse without proper support
Self-harm behaviors and suicide risk
Severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)
Impaired functioning and quality of life
Seeking medical help for detox and psychological care is vital.
Timeline of Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms
The timeline of psychological withdrawal differs by substance but often follows three general phases:
Acute Withdrawal Phase
Starts hours to days after the last use
Most intense physical and psychological symptoms
Lasts days to weeks depending on the substance
Alcohol and benzodiazepines have the quickest onset
Protracted Withdrawal Phase
Follows acute phase
Less severe but persistent symptoms
Depression, cravings, fatigue, insomnia
Can last weeks to months
Post-Acute Withdrawal Phase
Starts a few months after the last use
Periodic resurgence of symptoms
Cravings, mood swings, lack of concentration
Can persist for 18-24 months
Treatment Options for Psychological Withdrawal
It's vital to seek comprehensive treatment support when experiencing psychological withdrawal symptoms. Key components include:
Therapy modalities like CBT, DBT, EMDR, and mindfulness
Medications to alleviate symptoms if needed
Treatment for any co-occurring mental health issues
Developing healthy coping strategies and self-care skills
Access to ongoing aftercare and community support
A proper treatment plan focused on the individual's needs can help effectively manage symptoms and prevent relapse. Building a strong recovery community is also essential for overcoming psychological withdrawal.
Conclusion
Psychological withdrawal involves a complex set of emotional and psychological symptoms stemming from substance dependence and addiction. While extremely disruptive, these symptoms can be managed with proper professional treatment and recovery support.
The most dangerous aspect of psychological withdrawal is increased relapse risk. Long-term recovery is possible by addressing all bio-psycho-social needs of a person in recovery, developing healthy coping skills, and offering compassionate support through each phase.
If you or a loved one are seeking withdrawal assistance from a recovery center, and you live or will travel to Southern California, consider ph Wellness drug detox & rehabilitation.
To learn more or to speak confidentially and at no cost with a pH Wellness intake specialist, call 844-549-2488.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
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Physiological withdrawal symptoms refer to the physical effects that occur when stopping drug or alcohol use, such as nausea, vomiting, tremors, sweating, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
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Symptoms of emotional withdrawal include loss of interest in relationships, appearing detached or numb when with others, lack of empathy, avoidance of interactions, preferring isolation, and difficulty expressing affection.
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The two main types of withdrawal are physical/physiological withdrawal and psychological/emotional withdrawal.
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The DSM 5 does not list general withdrawal symptoms but has criteria for withdrawal from specific substances like alcohol, opioids, sedatives, and stimulants. Common symptoms include autonomic instability, tremors, nausea, and psychological distress.
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Withdrawal is not a core symptom of depression, but substance withdrawal can lead to depressive symptoms like sadness, lack of motivation, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts. Unmanaged withdrawal may also trigger or worsen clinical depression.
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Examples of withdrawal behavior include avoiding social situations, becoming detached from friends and family, lack of communication, irritability when interacting with others, and spending increasing amounts of time alone.
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Trauma withdrawal refers to emotionally detaching from people and relationships as a way to avoid further hurt. It is a common coping mechanism among trauma survivors.
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Tips to stop withdrawing from life include getting professional help to address underlying issues, pushing yourself to engage in social activities, communicating your feelings to loved ones, finding healthy distractions you enjoy, and joining a support group.
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A physiological withdrawal state refers to the changes in physical functioning and autonomic instability that occur when someone dependent on a substance stops using it. Symptoms are wide-ranging and depend on the substance used.
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Yes, withdrawal can be a trauma response. Detaching from people or situations that remind someone of a traumatic event allows them to avoid distressing memories and emotions. But it can be maladaptive long-term.
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Withdrawal itself is not a direct symptom of anxiety disorders. However, conditions like social anxiety may cause people to isolate themselves to avoid triggers. Drug withdrawal can also lead to anxiety symptoms.
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Yes, the various symptoms of withdrawal are inherently negative, unpleasant, and disruptive. They occur because substance dependence has altered normal brain functioning.
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Yes, while physical dependence is required for physiological withdrawal symptoms, psychological withdrawal often accompanies and exacerbates the difficult experience of stopping drug use. Psychological dependence perpetuates addiction as well.