COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
American Addiction Centers is a great resource for patients and caregivers
DRUG
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Alcohol
Benzodiazepines
Benzos
Cocaine
Hallucinogens
Ayahuasca,
DMT, LSD,
Peyote, DXM,
Shrooms,
Ketamine,
PCP, Salvia
TREATMENT
Stage 1: Anxiety, insomnia, nausea,
& abd pain
Stage 2: High BP and HR, Increased body
temp, confusion
Stage 3: Hallucinations, fever, seizures,
agitation
Withdrawal timeline:
Stage 1: 8 hrs after last drink
Stage 2: 24-72 hrs after last drink
Stage 3: 2-4 days after last drink
Symptoms decrease within
5-7 days
Seizures, shakiness, anxiety, agitation,
insomnia, overactive reflexes,
hallucinations, severe cravings, increased
HR, BP, and temp with sweats
Withdrawal timeline: 5-10 days
Stabilize pt on appropriate dose of
diazepam. Weaning is the safest
withdrawal method. If severe
withdrawal symptoms are present,
hold the wean for 2-24 hours.
Exhaustion, depression, anxiety, tremors,
muscle aches, nerve pain, suicidal
thoughts, vivid dreams, restlessness,
increased appetite
Withdrawal timeline: 7-10 days No
FDA approved treatment.
Buprenophine and naltrexone help
with withdrawal symptoms.
Treating anxiety helps long term
for resisting the urge to use.
Panic, psychotic episodes, speech
problems, mood swings, rage, tremors,
seizures, hallucinations, fluctuations in
body temp, increased HR, BP, and RR.
If the “trip” is unpleasant it will be referred
to as a “bad trip.”
Withdrawal timeline: Max of 16 hrs
the drug is out of the system. The
issues arise from the psychological
need for the effects of the drug.
Management of anxiety is key.
Antipsychotics and phenothiazines
decrease seizure threshold.
Heroin
Withdrawal timeline: Peak 1-3
Nausea, abd pain, sweats, shaking,
days Management of symptoms
nervousness, agitation, depression, muscle
and treatment with suboxone,
spasms, cravings
methadone, or naltrexone.
Inhalants
Headaches, Nausea, tremors,
hallucinations, insomnia, lethargy, anxiety,
depression, irritability
Withdrawal timeline: 2 days –
2 weeks 2-3 L of water per day.
Calm, quite environment.
Management of symptoms.
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