Substance Intoxication And Withdrawal

The symptoms of substance intoxication and substance withdrawal can vary depending on which substance is used. Substances can be categorized into three major groups: 

• Depressants: Including but not limited to alcohol, cannabis, and opioids
• Stimulants: Including but not limited to cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA 
• Hallucinogens: Including but not limited to LSD, ketamine, and “magic mushrooms”

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and may include other substances. The effects of each type of drug on the nervous system account for the difference in symptoms. Alcohol intoxication is vastly different from using methamphetamines. Depressants slow brain function, while stimulants speed up messages between the brain and body. Hallucinogens often alter one’s perception of reality. 

Depressant intoxication symptoms

Intoxication with depressant substances can cause the following symptoms in some individuals depending on how much is taken or used: 

• Poor motor coordination
• Slurring of speech
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slowed breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Euphoria¹
• Loss of inhibition

Depressant withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms of depressants can include the following symptoms: 

• Headache and body aches
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Irritability 
• Anxiety
• Shakiness 

Stimulant intoxication symptoms

Stimulants can cause the following symptoms when used enough to cause intoxication: 

• Rapid heartbeat
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Impaired judgment
• Euphoria
• Paranoia

Stimulant withdrawal symptoms

When withdrawing from stimulants, individuals may experience the following symptoms: 

• Intense cravings for the substance 
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Anxiety 
• Suicidal ideation

Hallucinogenic intoxication symptoms

People taking hallucinogens may experience the following intoxication symptoms: 

• Hallucinations
• Mood swings from euphoria to extreme agitation or sadness 
• Rapid heartbeat
• Poor balance
• Confusion 

Hallucinogenic withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms of hallucinogens may include the following: 

• Chills or hot flashes
• Increased blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Tremors
• Muscle stiffness
• Seizures
• For any substance, the intensity of intoxication and withdrawal symptoms may be different depending on the person, how long they’ve used the substance, and how much they’ve taken. To understand your symptoms, it may be healthiest to reach out to a medical or mental health professional.

The cause of substance intoxication is the ingestion, injection, or inhalation of a substance. The brain and nervous system are affected by the chemical makeup of the substance, and this makeup may cause various reactions in the body. How much of the substance is required for these reactions and how long symptoms last can depend on several factors, including genetics, the type of substance, and whether the individual has built a tolerance toward that substance. 

The cessation of prolonged or heavy substance use causes substance withdrawal. The lack of the chemical in the body can induce reactions that differ depending on the substance, the person, and the length of time the substance was used. 

Risk factors

There is no one specific cause for substance use, but there are several risk factors that may cause someone to use substances, such as the following:  

• Trauma in childhood, such as sexual, physical, or mental abuse
• Having a family member with a substance use disorder²
• Having a mental health condition, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety
• Working late nights or long shifts, which can cause an individual to want to use stimulants to stay awake 
• Having been exposed to cocaine in utero

Acute³ treatment for substance intoxication and withdrawal involves medical care to manage severe symptoms. In cases where substance use is suspected, healthcare professionals may recommend an inpatient detox program, support groups, and therapy. 

Medications

Certain medications may be used to treat acute symptoms of substance intoxication or withdrawal (the protocol is usually different for each substance). 

Antidepressants or antianxiety medications may be to treat co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. 

Consult a medical doctor before starting, changing, or stopping a medication for any condition. The information in this article is not a replacement for medical advice or diagnosis. 

Other treatment options 

For substance use disorders, support groups can be vital for long-term success. A 12-step program or a community support program may be helpful, surrounding individuals with a healthy social group of others who are also in recovery and encouraging activities that don’t involve substance use. 

Self-help

A mental health professional working with someone recovering from substance use may educate and encourage their client to build healthy lifestyle habits. Some of these habits may include:

• Avoiding individuals and situations that are associated with using substances
• Maintaining an active social network that avoids the use of substances
• Participating in moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week
• Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and staying hydrated
• Implementing mindfulness⁵ techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, or visualization
• Partaking in creative activities like journaling, writing, drawing, painting, or singing 

For individuals who want to stop using any substance, CBT and CM can be effective ways to support this goal. A cognitive-behavioral therapist may employ several techniques to identify maladaptive thought and behavior patterns and guide clients into more positive channels. In addition, CBT offers stress management and relaxation tools and can increase self-esteem. 

CM uses a system of rewards to target unwanted behaviors (in this case, substance use) and reinforces healthier habits. Alongside CBT, group support, and pharmacological treatments, CM is often used as part of a treatment plan for substance use disorders.

It can be difficult for individuals who live in areas with specialization scarcity to find a therapist who offers these types of therapy. Online therapy can be a solution, as it allows anyone with an internet connection access to a network of thousands of licensed therapists. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist and meet via phone, video, or live chat sessions. 

Below are other resources to visit to find out more about substance use and treatment:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline
• The National Drug Helpline
• NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator
• NAMI Hearts and Minds Program

For those with thoughts of suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

For help with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

In an NIH meta-analysis published in 2023, researchers found common inherited genes across all substance use disorders. Further, they discovered that this gene combination is associated with regulating dopamine signaling in the body. Researchers hope to use this information to focus further study on existing medications to prioritize, as well as discover new treatments. 

In 2021, a study reported that of an estimated 2.5 million people in the United States with opioid use disorder, only one in five received medications to treat it. Certain groups were significantly less likely to receive treatment medication, including women, Black adults, people in non-metropolitan areas, and unemployed individuals. 

Below are several statistics on substance intoxication and withdrawal:

• In the United States, 3.3% of individuals 12 and older (9.2 million people) misused opioids (prescription or heroin) in 2021.
• In the United States, 16.5% of individuals 12 and older (46.3 million) had a substance use disorder in 2021, with 29.5 million diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, 24 million with drug use disorder, and 7.3 million with both an alcohol and drug use disorder.
• Of the 40.7 people in 2021 with a substance use disorder in 2021 that were not treated in a specialty facility, 96.8% felt that they did not need treatment, 2.1% believed they needed treatment but made no effort to get treatment, while 1.1% believed they needed treatment and made an effort to do so. 
• Studies have found that internet-based therapy for people with substance use disorders may sometimes be more effective than in-person modalities and has been associated with more cost-effectiveness and convenience.