Behavioral addiction refers to addiction that involves compulsive behaviors. These are repeated behaviors that occur even if they don’t offer any real benefit.
The duration depends on the substance used or the behavior, along with the length and intensity of your addiction. It's typically just a few days, but even weeks or months in some cases.
Sources: (Verywell Health) (Healthline) (American Addiction Centers)
See also: The real impact of alcohol in your body
Chemical addiction is addiction that involves the use of substances, such as alcohol, drugs, and nicotine.
Even foods, such as sugary chocolates, are considered a behavioral addiction. One major sign is using it to manage unwanted emotions.
Withdrawal fatigue is exhausting. Listen to your body, and consider taking a break from your usual activities.
There are various methods of managing withdrawal. The following tips can help you get through.
This type of addiction includes shopping, gambling, and smartphone addictions.
A person going through withdrawal might experience extreme sadness, which can even mimic depression. Do note that feeling sad is a normal part of the process. It's temporary and lasts only a few days.
Fatigue is normal for people withdrawing from drugs and alcohol. Your body must recover from its damage, as well as from sleep deprivation and other effects from the addiction.
Rapid changes in mood are also common during withdrawal. This back-and-forth can be draining, for both you and those around you.
Some anxiety during withdrawal is to be expected. And if you took a drug or drank alcohol to relax, you're likely to feel more tense.
As you're grieving the loss of something you enjoyed, leaning into the emotions can help you come to terms with them.
If withdrawal is interfering with your ability to function or if you feel you can't cope, see your healthcare provider or talk with a therapist as soon as possible.
You might be experiencing a substance-induced mood disorder, or you might have had a preexisting mood disorder, which was masked by your addiction.
Try meditation and deep breathing, as this might help you rest your mind and body.
Psychological addiction occurs when you believe you need the addictive substance or behavior to function. For example, you might think that you need to gamble to unwind.
Biological changes happen in the brain during withdrawal, as the body seeks homeostasis, or stability. This causes a mix of physical and emotional symptoms.
Writing is a powerful tool that can help you process your feelings. It's also a great way to cope when cravings arise.
Try and be consistent with bedtime and wake-up time. Try not to drink anything caffeinated late in the afternoon, especially if it was your addiction.
Whether you hike, garden, or swim in the ocean, contact with nature is another way to feed the senses in a nourishing way.
Any exercise is good for you. It releases stress and oxygenates the body. Plus, it improves your sleep quality.
Dehydration is common during withdrawal. Therefore, it's important to drink enough water to allow the body to heal properly.
Diet can play a big role in healing both the mind and body. Eating meals that are rich in proteins, essential vitamins, and nutrients is essential for restoring healthy brain and body functioning.
Chemical addiction can be a tricky subject because there’s often confusion around what constitutes substance misuse, dependency, and addiction.
However, if your anxiety symptoms intensify and are accompanied by other physical symptoms, contact your doctor.
Chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture have shown to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings during detox.
Withdrawal symptoms can be different for everyone. Symptoms depend on the type of substance and behavior, and how long it's been used for. A person's age, physical health, and mental state also play a role.
Addiction is when someone finds it hard to stop doing something that makes them feel good. There are different types of addiction.
Physical dependence means that withdrawal symptoms appear if you stop the addictive substance or behavior.
So, what are they, and how can one survive withdrawal symptoms? Click on to find out.
What causes withdrawal, and how do you survive it?
Learn how to navigate withdrawal symptoms
HEALTH Addiction
Drugs, alcohol, and even smartphones change the chemical makeup of the brain, and regular use can cause addiction. People who manage to quit their addiction feel much better afterward, but they typically endure a very difficult stage before they begin to feel better, and this stage is known as withdrawal. The duration, intensity, and type of withdrawal symptoms will differ based on their addiction. But while the symptoms can vary from person to person, there are many symptoms in common.
So, what are they, and how can one survive withdrawal symptoms? Click on to find out.