Coping with Withdrawal Symptoms by Using Natural Remedies

Depending on the substance used and the frequency, withdrawal symptoms can greatly vary from person to person. When it comes to alcohol, drugs (legal and recreational), and smoking, the symptoms of withdrawal can be very different from each other. However, many of the symptoms tend to be the same, as well. No matter what the substance being abused is, some of the most common withdrawal symptoms tend to be uncontrollable shakes (in just the hands or all over the body), profuse sweating, irritability and anger, weakness and fatigue, insomnia, rapid heart beat, nervousness and anxiety, and on the more severe end, hallucinations and even convulsions. Depending on the substance and frequency and length of time that it was used for, the uncomfortable or even painful withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks to months. Many people who are going through withdrawal will jump from one addiction to another one to get rid of the first addiction. This is hardly productive, and doesn't help when doctors prescribe medications such as Valium - a tranquilizing drug that is great for sedation and relaxation, but can also be very addicting. Other times the withdrawal symptoms will become to much for a person to bear, and they will give in to the substance abuse just to feel better. However, there are several natural remedies that one can take to ease the symptoms of withdrawal and make it easier to cope with and get through it. These are listed below.

- A main rule for battling any addiction problem, is to drink plenty of water and juice. This helps to detoxify the body and therefore get through the withdrawals faster. Cranberry juice especially is highly effective for its detoxification properties, and will help to flush the toxins that keep you addicted out of your system.

- One of the best herbal remedies one can take is Valerian. Valium was derived from the same place and is even based on Valerian, but unlike Valium, Valerian acts as a gentle sedative without causing another addiction or harsh side effects. It is made up of anxiolytic properties that helps to keep stress and anxiety levels low and combat insomnia. If it's nicotine withdrawals you're dealing with, Valerian also tends to make smokers develop a bad taste when it comes to smoking.

- Pantothenic Acid is a B vitamin that is great for the liver and detoxifying it, which makes it a great supplement to take if you're fighting alcohol addiction and withdrawal. But it is also good for just about any withdrawal symptoms, as it helps ease high levels of stress and anxiety. 500 mg a couple times daily is the general dosage of the B5 vitamin.

- About 500 mg daily of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplement will also help ease nervousness and anxiety due to withdrawal. This is because it has a balancing effect that is needed to calm the nerves.

- The herb known as scullcap (or skullcap) is also a great natural remedy that produces a calming effect, along with easing tension in the body, minimizing headaches, and helping with irritability and insomnia. It is available in capsule form, but can also be taken in the form of a tincture or tea.

The above ways have proved to be very effective when it comes to coping with withdrawal symptoms, but one should still see a physician - addictions and withdrawal can be very serious, even dangerous, and though there are natural remedies that can help, they can't always take place of a doctor's guidance.