Diet Pills Withdrawal and Detox

Diet pills are prescription stimulant medications used in the treatment of obesity. With extended use, diet pills can lead to psychological dependence. Suddenly quitting diet pills can lead to withdrawal symptoms that make it challenging to stay off the drug. Understanding the effects of diet pill withdrawal can prepare you for the process, and help you discover effective ways to cope with your symptoms.

Diet pill detox is the first step in a comprehensive treatment programme that provides all the support and resources you need for long-term recovery. Detox can help you avoid uncomfortable, or even dangerous consequences as a result of sudden abstinence from diet pills, and help you overcome your addiction to these substances.

Typically, the goal of diet pill withdrawal and detox treatment is to achieve physiological healing after a prolonged addiction to the drugs. This is achieved through stabilisation, and a period of detoxification.

Diet pill withdrawal – What is it?

Once you’ve reached the point where you can tolerate the substance you’re using, you can be said to have developed physical dependence on it. Therefore, your body can very quickly develop an intense and unsafe addiction to diet pills. When you find yourself physically and mentally, dependent on the drug, it can be challenging to function normally without it.

Diet pill withdrawal typically occurs when your usual dosage level is severely reduced or totally stopped. The symptoms experienced at this stage will differ based on your normal dosage and how long you’ve used the drugs. Diet pill withdrawal symptoms will normally begin between 6 to 36 hours after your last dose.

These symptoms can include low mood or depression, cravings for other drugs or substances, fatigue or ‘brain fog’, weight gain, irritability, muscle aches and headaches. If you’ve been using diet pills or abusing them for a long time, you could develop unpleasant and/or painful withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop. When these symptoms appear, they can be extremely severe, and may compel you to continue using the drugs in order to prevent the discomfort.

Causes of diet pill withdrawal

Diet pills are typically taken as a supposedly easy fix for weight-related and obesity issues. However, they are also used by individuals within a normal weight range to stay slim and maintain a low body weight.

Bulimia, body dysmorphia, anorexia and other types of eating disorders can also lead to the use of diet pills, which only contribute to poor physical and mental health. The effects of weight loss achieved through the use of

these drugs are usually temporary, especially when used alone, without any other health or fitness regime alongside them.

When you’ve used these drugs for a long time and have developed dependence, complications can occur when you try to quit. This is why diet pill withdrawal should be carried out under close medical supervision. Withdrawal symptoms are the most uncomfortable in the first few days after quitting the substance.

As the diet pills leave your system, your brain and body have to re-adapt to functioning normally in the absence of the drugs. This means the development of mental and physical withdrawal symptoms that can take weeks to level out. If you are concerned that you may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from diet pills, contact your primary physician to discuss these signs.

Diet pill withdrawal timeline

The diet pill withdrawal timeline will last from a few days to weeks depending on the level of your diet pill consumption, how long you’ve been dependent on the drug and your personal body chemistry.

First few days: You’ll experience cravings to use more diet pills or other substances, agitation and anxiety. Fatigue and sleepiness is also expected to occur during this period, accompanied by mental fogginess. At this stage of the timeline, symptoms tend to worsen in intensity.

Week 1: This is usually the most challenging stage, as the drugs are being fully cleared from your body. Generally, symptoms will worsen until day 4 or 5, when they then gradually start to subside. Physical symptoms will peak at this stage. You may experience dehydration, sore muscles and headaches. You may also experience extreme changes, changes in body temperature and a numbing of the sensation of pleasure.

Week 2: The withdrawal process gets easier at this point. Physical symptoms subside and psychological symptoms gradually fade away as well. Drug cravings continue because your brain and body have become accustomed to having the substance in your system. Also, you may experience anger, irritation and agitation, which will then begin to ease off.

Diet pill withdrawal symptoms and effects

The symptoms and effects you’ll experience during diet pill withdrawal will vary significantly. Several factors influence your personal experience of withdrawal including your age, frequency of use, length and regularity of use, the dose of the drugs taken and the specific diet pills you’ve been abusing. In addition, your body may respond differently to diet pill withdrawal than another person’s body.

If the person is a polydrug abuser, it can complicate withdrawal. However, common symptoms and effects of diet pill withdrawal include cravings, anxiety, depression, anger and irritability, change in appetite, fever or chills, fatigue or insomnia, paranoia or psychosis, aches and muscle soreness, dehydration, decreased heart rate, slowed speech and impaired cognitive function or memory loss.

These symptoms will naturally vary from person to person, but the overall feeling is uncomfortable. Since your reaction to withdrawal can be unique and unpredictable, it’s crucial to seek help when coming off diet pills.

Symptoms of diet pill withdrawal

Prescription diet pills can produce certain positive effects when used as recommended by your physician and combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet. However, you can experience diet pill withdrawal symptoms when you quit using them. Behavioural and mood changes are typical symptoms of withdrawal from diet pills. Physical symptoms can also occur, including weight gain, gastrointestinal problems and trembling.

Diet pills should only be used under the supervision of a doctor, who can help to manage or prevent these withdrawal symptoms. Diet pills, including appetite suppressant medications, stimulate the part of the hypothalamus which controls your appetite. These drugs should only be used for a few weeks until a healthy routine is established, which should include regular exercise and a balanced diet.

However, diet pills can be habit-forming, leading to a range of withdrawal symptoms after extended use. Behavioural symptoms can also occur during diet pill withdrawal. You may not seem like yourself after you abruptly stop taking the pills. You may experience nervousness, anxiety and irritability. Depression can also set in, accompanied by fatigue and insomnia.

Physical symptoms of diet pill withdrawal

Physical symptoms of diet pill withdrawal are also quite common. You might experience shaking or trembling, in addition to gastrointestinal problems. After you stop taking the drug, nausea and vomiting can also occur, as well as uncomfortable stomach cramps or other abdominal pain. Unfortunately, some of the weight lost while you were using diet pills may return after you quit the drugs.

Without diet pills to suppress your appetite, you can feel a strong urge to eat more, which leads to weight gain. To avoid this, it is essential to have a healthy routine when using prescription diet pills. Your physical symptoms will last longer and more severe the longer you take the drug. Using diet pills for longer than a few weeks is not recommended.

Since diet pill dependency and withdrawal are risks associated with using diet pills, you should never use these drugs longer than a few months. In many regions, diet pills are only available by prescription. A physician should be supervising your use of diet pills, because withdrawal symptoms can be risky. To avoid the physical symptoms of withdrawal, your doctor will slowly wean you off your diet pills.

Psychological symptoms of diet pill withdrawal

The psychological symptoms of diet pill withdrawal can be particularly severe. They can result in relapse or even cause violent or suicidal behaviour. When quitting diet pills, your withdrawal symptoms will vary based on your tolerance, metabolism and history of use. Because of their potential severity, it is essential to seek medical help when withdrawing from diet pills.

Common psychological symptoms of diet pill withdrawal include:

  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Hallucinations
  • Jittery reactions
  • Drug cravings
  • Loss of interest
  • Impaired memory

Typically, the diet pills which previously provided a feeling of improved energy and mood, now cause low energy, depression and lethargy when withdrawing from them. One of the biggest risks of psychological withdrawal from diet pills is the intense depression that can lead to suicidal ideation. Professional treatment programmes can help you through the challenging process of diet pill withdrawal.

The effects of diet pill withdrawal

After prolonged use of diet pills, your brain becomes accustomed to the drugs and begins to depend on them to function normally. When you quit using the drugs, you can experience diet pill withdrawal, as your system has to readjust to functioning on its own. As a result, you can experience some effects of this withdrawal such as:

Weight gain: Diet pills suppress appetite, which means you can achieve weight loss as you will naturally take in fewer calories. The amount of weight gained in withdrawal depends on your lifestyle choices (diet and exercise) and other factors.

Low mood: After quitting diet pills, it can take a while for your brain to return to its normal state. As a result, you may feel tired and depressed, which can be particularly harmful if you have an existing mental illness.

Drug cravings: Psychological cravings for diet pills can appear as a result of diet pill withdrawal. These cravings can be even more serious if you’ve used diet pills for a long time and in high doses.

Diet pills detoxification

Quitting cold turkey from a drug that’s been affecting you physically and psychologically can cause some severe side effects, and going through detox alone is not recommended. Diet pill detoxification is not a simple or easy process. You may require medication and support to help you overcome the drugs that you’ve developed a dependence on and addiction to.

The recommended method to detox from diet pills and improve your life safely is to enter a drug detox treatment programme that is qualified to handle detoxification from diet pills. Supervised diet pill detoxification can provide you with a supportive environment in which to undergo treatment.

Drug cravings can be particularly strong during detox, and keeping them under control can be a difficult struggle when attempting to detox alone. A supervised detox programme will guide you through diet pill withdrawal and detox, and provide the necessary medical and psychological support you need for sustained recovery.

Diet pill abuse detox process – How to detox from diet pills

Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment, where all of the substances are cleared out of your body. As soon as you choose a treatment programme, you can meet with a physician or treatment advisor to determine a suitable treatment plan. In diet pill abuse detox, the drugs leave your body relatively quickly, depending on how often and how much you’ve used them. The process can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of months.

Professional monitoring is an essential part of a successful detox process. The related psychological symptoms can be intense and hard to cope with without medical help. It can make a big difference to have professional treatment, encouragement and support while undergoing detox and recovery.

Some physicians might prescribe antidepressants in detox. This is because diet pill detox can involve clinically significant, impairing psychological issues, following cessation of the drug. However, the use of these medications will usually be reserved for when you have passed through the initial or acute stages of detox.

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Diet pill detoxification timeline

Regardless of the specific diet pills you’ve been using, diet pill detox will usually begin with an intake interview. This involves providing information about your substance use history, and being screened for underlying mental health issues. The length of detox will vary according to the dosage used and the severity of the abuse.

Within a few hours of diet pill detox, you may start to experience a general onset of symptoms as the drugs wear off. These include cravings for diet pills, changes in heart rate, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, agitation, intense fatigue and, in some cases, uncontrollable shaking.

In the first week of detox, these symptoms may well taper out, but cravings and sleep disturbances are common. This phase of diet pill detoxification can include exhaustion, depression, increased appetite and persistence of fatigue.

The second week of diet pill detox may come with a recurrence of symptoms, such as anxiety, nervousness and depression. Issues with sleep and fatigue also continue at this stage as well as waves of severe drug cravings.

Weeks 3 and 4 still involve depression, in addition to long periods of sleep disturbances. You might still have diet pill cravings, but not as strongly, as your physical dependence on the drug starts to decrease.

Treatment methods and options for diet pill addiction

Even though diet pill withdrawal and detox rarely cause severe medical complications, you might require supportive management for the psychological symptoms. Suitable treatment methods and options will be geared towards providing a supervised and supportive environment. This could include behavioural therapy as a means to help manage the psychological symptoms that appear during diet pill withdrawal, which will assist you in learning to cope with intense cravings.

Inpatient detox or rehab is an effective option, but you can also undergo detox in outpatient treatment. Inpatient and outpatient treatment is similar in that they offer the same concept of individual and group counselling methods. Depending on your needs, outpatient treatment may require you to come in for a few hours, several days per week.

If you’re seeking withdrawal and detox treatment, you can carry out some research into available programmes to find a good match. Community centres and government agencies run some low-cost, or free, programmes that provide detox from diet pills. Insurance can also cover your treatment with many of the treatment options available.

Finding the right treatment for diet pill addiction

There are several detox and rehab programmes you can choose from when seeking diet pill withdrawal detox. These programmes vary widely in terms of treatment approach and setting. At the extreme end of treatment centres are facilities that are similar to a private home or resort. These programmes tend to be expensive, but provide the ultimate in comfort when it comes to detox and rehab.

Luxury programmes such as these provide the services of chefs, massage therapists, private rooms and several other amenities. If you’re interested in a more affordable programme, there are also several programmes that can provide quality treatment and supportive care at a low cost. No matter your budget, you can find a type of treatment that will help you get started on your path to sobriety.

Treatment doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. There is the option of medicated treatment to help reduce the side effects that can occur during withdrawal. In addition, the right treatment can ensure that underlying mental and physical health problems don’t complicate your detox process. No matter the treatment type you choose for detox, it is recommended to follow it up with professional treatment and therapy in rehab.

Find the best residential diet pill recovery centre

A residential diet pill recovery centre will give you the best chance at lasting recovery. After you complete detox, you’ll work with experienced therapists to address the underlying issues that contributed to your addiction. Inpatient recovery centres will also educate you on the most effective relapse prevention tactics, and may also connect you with support groups, both of which are effective recovery tools.

Finding the best recovery centre for your needs can be difficult, but, if you’re willing, you can find the help you need. When choosing a diet pill recovery centre, there are several things to take into consideration. These include:

  • Does the program specialise in diet pill abuse treatment? If the centre and the staff have dealt with issues surrounding weight loss addiction detox and withdrawal, they are better placed to be able to help you.
  • Does it offer medically-assisted detox? Medical supervision is an essential part of detox, especially if you’re dealing with body dysmorphia, depression and suicidal thoughts alongside a diet pill addiction.
  • Do you want to stay close to home or get away? You might prefer to stay close to home, family and friends, or want to use treatment as a way to take a break from your present environment.

How safe is home detox for diet pill abusers?

In many instances, home detox involves going through painful, and sometimes risky, withdrawal symptoms alone. Sometimes, the people you have around you don’t know what to do when your symptoms become so severe that you’re at the point of giving in to your cravings to be able to cope.

If you’ve been heavily abusing diet pills, attempting to detox at home can lead to several health complications including relapse, overdose, medical side effects and mental health problems. Abruptly stopping your drug use may suddenly shock your system. It is recommended to undergo detox under the monitoring of medical health professionals to avoid potential problems.

Medical care in detox can involve the use of medications to manage the severe withdrawal symptoms, and lessen drug cravings to prevent relapse. Treatment will also address depression and suicidal ideation, as well as other forms of mental struggle that can occur in detox.

Self-detoxification from diet pills

There are several methods to perform a detox, including abruptly stopping abuse, self-detoxification through at-home kits and inpatient or outpatient medical detox at a treatment centre. Your instinct may be to abruptly quit using your diet pills or to undergo self-detox without medical help. Unfortunately, self-detox can easily worsen your addiction or put your life at risk.

Detoxing at home is further complicated when you’re also dealing with an underlying mental illness. Mental health symptoms may be heightened during withdrawal, and could lead to psychosis if proper treatment isn’t administered. Entering detox at a medical facility, where both substance abuse and mental illness can be treated together, provides a higher chance of success.

Inpatient treatment involves structure and professional assistance, which makes it more effective than self-detoxification. The care provided is designed to protect you from potential triggers and minimise uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Diet pill withdrawal and detox statistics

  • Appetite suppressants sent over 1,100 people to accident and emergency in 2016
  • Several cases of individuals suffering from eating disorders, who also abuse diet pills, are well-documented medically, with prevalence estimates reported to be as high as 50%
  • One in three overweight individuals admits to using diet pills
  • A study conducted in 1997 showed that the popular appetite suppressant medication sibutramine increased the risks of stroke and heart attack by 16%
  • Between 1998 and 2003, the use of sibutramine caused the deaths of 49 people
  • In 2003, more than 150 people died as a result of taking ephedra, a now banned ingredient in diet pills

Ready for help for diet pill addiction?

If you or someone you know is struggling with a diet pill addiction, you should know that recovery is a possibility. It can be overwhelming to think about living without diet pills, but in choosing to begin recovery, you can enjoy a life of health and happiness. Through treatment, you can go through your day without the need for diet pills or worrying about your body image.

You can start a new life as you work through your recovery from diet pills in a rehabilitation centre. It’s not too late for you to experience wellness, peace and the freedom that can come from breaking the hold diet pill addiction has had over your life.

If you’re ready for help, there are addiction treatment specialists who can help you find a treatment model and care plan. You can find the support you need to begin a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.


FAQs

When will I stop craving diet pills?

Psychological cravings for diet pills can occur when attempting to quit using the drugs. In addition, your cravings may be worsened by withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue and depression, resulting in a vicious cycle of abuse and dependence that may be difficult to escape from without professional assistance.

How long does diet pill withdrawal last?

Diet pills withdrawal starts when your normal dosage is stopped or significantly reduced. In almost all cases, the early stages of withdrawal (1 to 2 days after quitting) are the most difficult. The length of withdrawal depends on length and frequency of use, among other factors.

How long does it take to detox from diet pills?

During preparation for your diet pill detox, a physician will take your symptoms, medical history and other personal information into consideration. The length of time it will take for the drugs to be completely out of your system depends on the frequency and severity of use. If you’ve become severely dependent, detox will naturally take a longer period of time.

What happens during detox?

As soon as you choose a treatment programme, you’ll meet with a treatment counsellor to determine the best course of action. Usually, treatment will begin with drug detox, where the diet pills are removed from your body. As the substance leaves your body, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can appear. Professional monitoring is also provided during stimulant detox because of the difficult psychological symptoms that can occur in the process. Experienced and encouraging support can make a big difference to your recovery in detox.

Why should I enter a detox program?

When detoxing from stimulants, you can experience significant mood changes, especially if you suffer from mood disorders. These mood changes may be accompanied by depression and suicidal thoughts. These types of severe mental symptoms can be overwhelming when they occur, which is why entering a stimulant detox program is recommended to ensure your safety in recovery.

What recovery program is right for me?

Choosing the right recovery programme for diet pill withdrawal and detox can be essential to overcoming your addiction. Inpatient recovery programmes match the type of treatment to your needs, and ensure your needs at each phase of the process are adequately met. With outpatient programmes, you can get a bit more flexibility, and be able to perform your usual responsibilities at home, work, or school while undergoing treatment. The best recovery programme will suit your needs and lifestyle accordingly.

Do symptoms and their duration vary from person to person?

Yes, the process of withdrawal, including its symptoms, will naturally vary from person to person. Factors contributing to this include your metabolic profile, tolerance, use history and level of dependence.

Are there any home remedies for getting clean safely?

Home remedies for diet pill addiction are not advised due to the addictive nature of the medications and the high potential for relapse. Professional rehabilitation programmes prevent access to the drug and can help you break free of diet pill addiction.

Are prescription diet pills addictive?

Because these diet pills are ‘prescriptive’, their potential for addiction is unknown. Diet pills, such as appetite suppressants, are highly addictive and you can quickly build up a tolerance for them. Once tolerance is developed, dependency sets in, and can quickly lead to a prolonged and severe addiction, with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to quit.

What is diet pill addiction?

Diet pills can have negative physical side effects, and are seriously dangerous to both your mental health and well-being. However, if you continue to use diet pills even when you are experiencing these side effects, you could be dealing with a diet pill addiction. This addiction could occur as a result of poor self-image, but drugs will only contribute to worsening your problems.

How long do prescription diet pills stay in your system?

The amount of time prescription diet pills stay in your system depends on the specific drug and on the frequency of use. Therefore, your diet pills could stay in your system anywhere from a couple of hours to months.

What are the symptoms and side effects of diet pill abuse?

Usually, the symptoms and side effects of diet pills vary based on the specific drug you take and how it works. Diet pills like phentermine can result in a fast heart rate, restlessness, increased blood pressure, drug abuse and dependence, insomnia and withdrawal symptoms. Other drugs like Orlistat (Alli), which interfere with fat absorption can cause soft stools, gas and oily spotting. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, headaches and dizziness with diet pills like Contrave (bupropion and naltrexone) or Belviq (lorcaserin). These symptoms occur because the medications affect the neurotransmitters in the brain.

Can I get help for diet pill addiction?

There are a number of treatment options that can help you overcome diet pill addiction. Treatment can help you learn more about your addiction and provide you with the support you need to achieve long-term recovery.

What is diet pill withdrawal?

When you’ve been using diet pills for a long period of time, tolerance and dependence can develop. Diet pill withdrawal occurs when your regular dosage level is reduced or completely stopped. Some of the symptoms that can occur in diet pill withdrawal include weight gain, muscle aches, cravings for other drugs or substances, irritability and low mood or depression.

What are the phases of diet pill withdrawal?

In general, diet pill withdrawal occurs in three different stages:

  • Immediately after you quit, you might feel sad, agitated, anxious and experience powerful cravings for the drug
  • After the first phase, you’ll likely begin to experience both physical and mental fatigue, insomnia and severe depression
  • About 12 hours after your initial ‘crash’ phase, you may notice your symptoms intensifying, and this can take from 96 hours to several weeks to ease
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