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Physical symptoms of withdrawal can be a major barrier to recovery from addiction, and it’s common to experience digestive issues during the detox period. Keep reading to learn whether diarrhea is a symptom of withdrawal, how common stomach pain is during withdrawal and what options you have for coping with such symptoms as you detox and seek a healthier, more sober lifestyle.
Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawals are a natural bodily response to a change that occurs when you interrupt the status quo you created. When substances like alcohol or certain drugs — including some prescription drugs — are first introduced to your body, they can throw off normal rhythms and cycles in your body. Over longer periods of substance use, your body begins to normalize around the substance. In short, your brain and body become so used to having the substance that they react as if this is a normal state of affairs.
If you’ve engaged in substance abuse long enough — how long depends on the type of substance and how your own body reacts to it — your body develops a higher tolerance. That means you have to use more of the substance to get the same impact, leading to a growing tolerance and increasing changes in how your brain and body react to the substance.
When you go through detox and stop using a substance, your body and brain react as if the new state is abnormal. They’re used to having the substance in question, possibly in increased increments. The absence of drugs or alcohol can create a sort of threat response in your mind and body because it feels like something is wrong — what’s normal is no longer present.
The response of your brain and body to this confusion and the perceived threat of sorts creates withdrawal symptoms. The exact symptoms you experience depend on the type of substances you’re dependent on, your overall health and other factors. But withdrawals, in general, are very common:
- More than 50% of medical cannabis users experience withdrawals after they stop using the drug to treat pain.
- Information published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction notes that people who develop a dependency on alcohol may experience withdrawals, sometimes severe, when they stop drinking.
- Around 25% of individuals going through alcohol withdrawals may develop hallucinations.
Is Diarrhea a Symptom of Withdrawal?
Digestive issues are some of the most common types of withdrawal symptoms reported by people detoxing from all types of substances. Depending on the situation, withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Loss of appetite or increased appetite
These types of issues can occur for numerous reasons. When someone abuses alcohol or other drugs for a prolonged period of time, the substances can act within the body to alter the gut microbiome, for example. In short, the stomach, intestines and other digestive organs get used to functioning with those substances. When the drugs or alcohol are removed, the digestive system doesn’t know how to function in this new normal right away, and withdrawal symptoms are a common result.
Some substances can also damage the digestive system, creating long-term digestive issues that need to be addressed during and after addiction treatment. In other cases, the body may respond to the sudden change during detox with inflammation, a change in stomach acid or other impacts that can cause digestive distress.
On top of actual changes and symptoms related to the digestive system, many people experience nervous system symptoms. The nervous system, which controls how you feel pain, may be overactive during a detox period as the body struggles to find a new normal. This can increase the severity of stomach pain during withdrawal.
Coping Strategies for Digestive Issues During Withdrawal
While digestive symptoms are very normal during a detox period, they can be somewhat alarming if you don’t know what to expect. And in some cases, detox diarrhea and other withdrawal symptoms can be severe enough to drive someone back to using drugs or alcohol. This is where detoxing in a medical setting can be helpful.
During medically assisted detox, clinical teams work with you to reduce your symptoms, ensure your safety and help you get through the initial detox period. Depending on the type of substance you struggle with, this detox period can last a few days or a week or two. When you’re supported by knowledgeable, caring staff, you can get through this period with less physical discomfort and fear, increasing your chances of success with detox.
In many cases, after this period of detox, individuals are better positioned to concentrate on recovery. Their bodies are less sensitive to withdrawal symptoms, and they may have fewer or even no digestive flares. They can move into therapy and other treatment methods, working to develop healthier coping mechanisms and skills for a sober lifestyle without being held back by stomach pain and other withdrawal symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Help for Persistent Symptoms
Is diarrhea a symptom of withdrawal? It absolutely can be. However, digestive symptoms can also be a sign of other health issues and can be a medical concern all on their own. If you’re experiencing severe digestive symptoms that leave you dehydrated or unable to eat and drink enough to sustain your body, you should seek medical help. Consider going to the emergency room or urgent care for this level of symptom, as clinical staff at these locations can help you understand why you’re experiencing the symptoms and provide you with anti-nausea and other medications to offer some immediate relief.
If you’re experiencing stomach pain and other symptoms on a regular basis, consider seeking an appointment to discuss these matters with your primary care doctor, especially if you aren’t sure if they’re related to withdrawals. However, if you want to know how to stop detox diarrhea or need help getting through the detox period so you can approach long-term recovery, FHE Health can help. Contact us today to find out about our medical detox services.
