Oxycontin and heroin withdrawal

Withdrawal. To many people, this word means nothing. To those who have experienced it, or to those who spend each waking moment trying to avoid it, it means so much more. The most terrible physical withdrawals come from narcotic pain killers, alcohol, and benzodiazepines, like alprazolam(xanax) or Valium. Physical withdrawals are much worse than any mental withdrawal or craving can be.

There is something called post acute withdrawal, that most cocaine users experience in recovery. Something similar happens to long term methamphetamine users as well. During this time addicts feel a general lack of energy, ability to participate in daily activities, or even just get out of bed. There is a also less of a neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, Even when they are not on drugs for a while it keeps users from feeling any sense of well being from a situation that otherwise would cause a good feeling. This is by no means easy to deal with, but it is no doubt that mental dependencies are a walk in the park compared to physical ones.

During physical withdrawal you are not only not functioning in society, you are just plain not functioning. Your digestive system will not function properly and you lose any desire to eat. Not eating results in further decline in your physical health. You will lose sleep, further hindering your ability to recover. You will lose all drive and desire to even breath. Everything counter acts recovery because addicts know they can buy a day or so, and feel better by just grabbing some dope.

Fortunately people can be scared straight. Finding out you have no life expectancy as an addict can often scare long time users straight, if falling apart health wise hasn't yet. With help from family, friends, and addiction recovery counselors people do stand a chance against what seems unbeatable. Being positive normally yields positive results. After you are in a good place in life you thank yourself for the hard work you put in during recovery.