Recognizing signs and symptoms of drug withdrawal: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

People who are experiencing withdrawal are often ignored or shunned. In fact, everyone who is already addicted to drugs will also go through the withdrawal stage if they want to be "clean" and stop being a user. But what is sakau? What will happen to the body of a drug user when he is on a withdrawal? And how can we help alleviate the pain of being on drugs? Check out the full explanation below.

Why do people get addicted to drugs?

Drugs make users feel so happy they are 'high'. This is the result of a surge in dopamine and serotonin released by the brain beyond tolerance, as a narcotic stimulation reaction. Automatically, effects collect this will cause the body to require repeated use of drugs to satisfy that need for extreme happiness.

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Prolonged substance and substance abuse destroys the brain's reward and motivation receptor systems and circuits, leading to addiction.

Reporting from Kompas, cases of drug and illegal drug abuse in Indonesia in 2015 nearly reached 6 million people. Furthermore, according to data from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), an estimated 50 people die every day due to narcotics abuse.

What is withdrawal and what causes withdrawal?

Sakau, or withdrawal, aka withdrawal, is a body symptom that occurs as a result of sudden withdrawal of drug use, or due to a drastic drop in the drug dose at once.

Symptoms of drug withdrawal include emotional and physical symptoms, namely:

Emotional symptoms that a withdrawal person will experience

• Worry
• Restless
• Easy to get angry
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Self-isolation

Physical symptoms that will be experienced by a person with a sakaw

• Sweating
• Heart beat
• Heartbeat hard
• Tense muscles
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Tremor
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Why is the severity of withdrawal different for each drug user?

Symptoms and the chronological timing of withdrawal will differ for each drug, depending on how they interact with the brain and body functions. Drugs are absorbed by the body and can remain active for different periods of time.

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The severity and duration of withdrawal is influenced by the level of dependence on the substance and several other factors, including:

• Duration of drug use
• The type of drug used
• How to use the drug (by injection, inhaled by the nose, cigarette, or swallowed)
• Dosage each time using the drug
• Family history and genetics
• Medical and mental health factors

For example, a person who has used injectable heroin for years with a family history of addiction and psychiatric problems is more likely to have prolonged withdrawal with stronger symptoms than someone who uses small doses of heroin for a short period of time.

Detoxification as the main way out of drug dependence

Since withdrawal generally peaks after a few days from the last dose, detoxification is the main method of recovery from dependence and withdrawal symptoms, as well as preventing the potential for relapse of addiction, by removing the rest of the drug in the body.

Detoxification programs can be done on an outpatient basis or inpatient at a drug rehabilitation center. However, inpatient rehab is the most suitable option so that the patient can control and manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which will be especially intense during the detox, under the close supervision of a professional medical team. The program offers medical monitoring of withdrawal, helping patients stay as safe and comfortable as possible during their rehabilitation.

A detox is started before the drug has completely left the body's system, and will usually last for 5-7 days. For chronic users, the detox can last longer, up to 10 days.

Blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and body temperature will be monitored to keep the patient safe throughout the detoxification process, including ensuring that symptoms experienced by withdrawal can be treated properly.

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