Anxiety is a common withdrawal symptom in people detoxing from alcohol or certain drugs. At its worst, this anxiety can appear in the form of a full-blown panic attack. During medically supervised detox, doctors and their support staff work to limit the severity of anxiety, panic attacks, and other withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox is the safest way to deal with anxiety and panic attacks during drug and alcohol detox.
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a common mental and physical state. People affected by this state experience things such as:
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Fear
- Dread
- Confused or disorganized thinking
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Muscle tremors
At one time or another, many people will experience temporary bouts of anxiousness. These episodes tend to have little or no effect on the ability to lead a productive life. However, sometimes, anxiety symptoms can grow strong enough, and appear often enough, to interfere with day-to-day function. When this occurs, doctors may diagnose the presence of a mental health condition called an anxiety disorder. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes and defines several forms of this condition, including:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
Those who already experience anxiety have an increased chance of anxiety and panic attacks during drug and alcohol detox. When entering into a drug or alcohol detox program, inform the treatment team about any pre-existing conditions whether physical or psychological.
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Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
A full-blown panic attack occurs when at least four symptoms of severe anxiety appear quickly, without warning and at the same time. Examples of possible symptoms include:
- Chest tightness or pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heart palpitation
- Shaking or trembling muscles
- Light-headedness
- A choking sensation
- Feelings of tingling or numbness
- Stomach discomfort
- Loss of a sense of reality
- Fear of impending death
- Fear of being or going insane
These panic indicators usually reach their highest level of intensity within a few minutes, then begin to fade away. Some people experience limited-symptom panic attacks, which produce fewer than four indicators of emotional and physical distress. It is challenging to predict anxiety and panic attacks during drug and alcohol detox, but a team of medical detox experts will be able to help.
For some people, a panic attack is a solitary or isolated event. However, others experience repeated bouts of unexpected, intense panic. When doctors note the occurrence of these repeated episodes, they diagnose the presence of panic disorder. In addition to experiencing the symptoms of a panic attack, people with this disorder may dread the uncertainty of not knowing when the next bout of symptoms will begin.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks During Drug and Alcohol Detox
Alcohol or drug detox is a challenging process for anyone seeking to recover from alcohol addiction or substance use disorder. That’s true, in part, because anyone going through alcohol withdrawal can develop significant symptoms of anxiety. Withdrawal can also trigger a range of additional mental and physical effects, such as fluctuating moods, depression, sleeplessness, headaches, jitteriness, nausea, mental agitation, and skin clamminess. Licensed detox centers are prepared to deal with these withdrawal symptoms as well as anxiety and panic attacks during drug and alcohol detox.
In addition, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that one out of every five people in treatment for alcohol problems has some form of anxiety disorder. In fact, an abusive pattern of drinking may begin as part of an attempt to ease existing anxiety symptoms. The ADAA also reports that excessive use of alcohol can trigger panic attacks and lead to the onset of panic disorder. In turn, the presence of panic disorder makes it more likely that a person going through detox or active substance use treatment will relapse back into alcohol abuse.
Contact Summit Detox for medical detox during any of the following specialized programs:
- Alcohol detox
- Heroin detox
- Cocaine detox
- Meth detox
- Marijuana detox
As a rehab that accepts First Health for mental health treatment and detox services, as well as other major insurance providers, we strive to make your anxiety treatment accessible and affordable. Call (888) 995-5265 to begin the journey of anxiety and addiction recovery at Summit Detox.
