


In general, the symptoms of withdrawing from a certain drug tend to be the opposite of the symptoms that you experience when taking that drug.įor example, if you usually get constipated or your gastrointestinal system slows down when you take opioids such as Vicodin, your Vicodin withdrawal symptoms might be the opposite - diarrhea and other symptoms of an overactive gastrointestinal system, such as cramping, nausea, or vomiting. Withdrawal symptoms will vary depending on the type of drug you become dependent on. Common Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms When people abruptly stop using opioids after becoming addicted, their brains produce lower dopamine levels - leading to symptoms like anxiety and depression. After long-term use of opioids, the brain stops producing dopamine on its own and comes to rely on opioids for these effects.

But when you abruptly stop using drugs after long-term use, your body can become violently ill and produce a range of withdrawal symptoms as it tries to adapt to the sudden absence of drugs.įor instance, opioids like heroin and painkillers act on a brain neurotransmitter called dopamine that creates feelings of extreme happiness and euphoria. As you become physically dependent on drugs, your body gradually adapts to the presence of drugs in your system.
