Cravings & Withdrawals
Overcoming Addictions LLC
Addiction Treatment Center located in
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN
When you experience cravings and withdrawals, it’s a sure sign that you have an
alcohol or drug dependence. At this stage, your symptoms won’t improve without a safe, medically managed detox at Overcoming Addictions in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Their experienced specialists are ready to help with 24/7 services and in-person or
telehealth appointments that offer the help you need from wherever you happen
to be. You can request an appointment online, but you only need to call or text when
you need immediate assistance for your symptoms.
What are cravings and withdrawals?
A craving is a strong desire or urges to drink alcohol or take drugs. Cravings are so intense that you can’t stop yourself from using
the substance. If you’re in a situation where you must wait, your thoughts remain obsessed with needing it.
the substance. If you’re in a situation where you must wait, your thoughts remain obsessed with needing it.
Cravings indicate you have a dependency. They’re also the very first symptom of withdrawal.
Withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur when you have an addiction and you stop using that substance.
In addition to cravings, you may experience many possible withdrawal symptoms, depending on the substance you use. A few
examples include:
examples include:
- Sweating
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Runny nose
- Shakes or tremors
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Difficulty sleeping
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Hot and cold flashes
- Abdominal pain
- Tremors
- Fast heart rate
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. For this reason, you should always seek help from Overcoming Addiction rather
than try to stop on your own.
than try to stop on your own.
What causes cravings and withdrawals?
When you drink alcohol or take a drug, it triggers a surge in brain chemicals. You quickly experience pleasant sensations such as
euphoria, a better mood, relief from pain, or a boost of self-confidence. These changes motivate you to use the substance again.
euphoria, a better mood, relief from pain, or a boost of self-confidence. These changes motivate you to use the substance again.
As you keep using the substance, your brain becomes tolerant, which means it gets used to the usual amount you use. Then you need
to take more to get the same pleasant sensations.
to take more to get the same pleasant sensations.
As you keep increasing the amount, chemical changes occur in your brain. That’s when the cravings start and your addiction begins. At
this stage, you experience withdrawal symptoms when your brain doesn’t get the substance it needs.
this stage, you experience withdrawal symptoms when your brain doesn’t get the substance it needs.
How can I overcome cravings and withdrawals?
When you’re ready to stop abusing drugs or alcohol, Overcoming Addictions can help with a comprehensive program, medically
assisted treatment (MAT), that lets you detox without cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
assisted treatment (MAT), that lets you detox without cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
MAT is an outpatient program so you can detox and begin your recovery without taking time away from your job or family. As you
reach the end of your detox, you begin therapy.
reach the end of your detox, you begin therapy.
Therapy supports a successful and long-lasting recovery by helping you recognize why you turn to alcohol or drugs and then teaching
you ways to manage your life challenges without relapsing.
you ways to manage your life challenges without relapsing.
Overcoming Addictions offers an extensive outpatient recovery program. You receive ongoing medication management, individual and
family counseling, life skills development, and crisis intervention, to give you a few examples.
family counseling, life skills development, and crisis intervention, to give you a few examples.
If you experience cravings and withdrawals, don’t wait to talk with the team at Overcoming Addictions. Call the office or schedule an
appointment online today.
appointment online today.