Guide

10 Commonly Abused Drugs and Their Withdrawal Symptoms

Creator: Anna-Grace Washington
Published: 2019-06-19T12:00:00-05:00

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Written by

Anna-Grace Washington

Medical Content Writer

Medically reviewed by

Dr. William J. McCreight III, MD

Medical Director, 2019–2024

Published June 19, 2019

Reviewed and updated July 24, 2026

Many addictive drugs cause harmful long-term effects when they are abused over and over again. However, quitting is often a double-edged sword due to the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms they can also cause.

If you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. The duration and severity of drug withdrawal vary depending on the person and the drug(s) being abused, so not every person will experience drug withdrawal symptoms in the same way. Regardless, drug withdrawal can be unpredictable, so quitting drugs and alcohol cold turkey is not generally recommended.

The chart below may give you a better idea of what you can expect during detox and withdrawal. For answers to other common questions about drug detox and withdrawal, please refer to the following resources on the Briarwood blog:


DRUG	WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Alcohol	Insomnia Nausea and vomiting Tremors Anxiety Cloudy thoughts Depression Irritability Loss of appetite Headache Rapid heart rate Hallucinations Seizures Alcohol cravings Delirium tremens (vivid hallucinations, delusions, high blood pressure, racing heart, fever, excessive sweating, extreme confusion)¹
Cocaine	Agitation Restlessness Depression Fatigue Overall discomfort Increased appetite Vivid nightmares Powerful cravings Suicidal thoughts²
Heroin	Agitation Anxiety Muscle aches Teary eyes Insomnia Runny nose Yawning Sweating Abdominal cramps Diarrhea Dilated pupils Goosebumps Nausea Vomiting³
Marijuana Dabbing (cannabis concentrates). Method matters—concentrates can intensify cannabis withdrawal experiences.	Irritability Anxiety Depression Restlessness Difficulty sleeping Stomach pain Shakiness Fever Sweating Chills Headache⁴
Methamphetamine	Anxiety Fatigue Severe depression Psychosis Powerful cravings Headaches Joint pain Red, itchy eyes Diarrhea Constipation Shakiness Irregular heartbeat Sleep problems Poor concentration and memory^5,6
Prescription Opioids (Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, Opana, Kadian, Avinza, codeine, fentanyl, etc.)	Muscle and bone pain Sleep problems Diarrhea Vomiting Cold flashes Goosebumps Uncontrollable leg movements Powerful cravings⁷
Prescription Sedatives and Tranquilizers (Valium, Klonopin, Xanax, Halcion, Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, Luminal, Nembutal, etc.)	Seizures Shakiness Anxiety Agitation Insomnia Overactive reflexes Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Increased body temperature/sweating Hallucinations Powerful cravings⁸
Prescription Stimulants (Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Concerta, etc.)	Fatigue Depression Sleep problems⁹
Steroids	Fatigue Restlessness Loss of appetite Sleep problems Decreased sex drive Cravings¹⁰
Tobacco products (Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, etc.)	Irritability Problems paying attention Sleep problems Increased appetite Powerful cravings¹¹

Drug withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be severe or even deadly, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you’re trying to get sober. Briarwood Detox Center provides safe, comfortable, and professional medical detox programs for all the addictive substances listed in the chart above. If you’d like to learn more about our medical detox centers and programs in Austin and Houston, please call (866) 710-7710 to speak with an admissions representative today.

References:

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Medical disclaimer

The content on this page is for general educational information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Withdrawal and substance use conditions can involve serious health risks, so individual care decisions should be made with a licensed provider who understands your medical history. Prescription medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotics, must be used only under the supervision of a qualified clinician, and you should never start, stop, or change any medication without medical guidance. If you experience severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, signs of medical emergency, or thoughts of self-harm, call 911 in the United States or seek immediate emergency care. For confidential mental health support at any time, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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