What Withdrawal Does to Your Heart and Blood Pressure

Withdrawal is not only uncomfortable. It puts real strain on the heart and blood vessels, and the risks depend on the substance.

Alcohol withdrawal

The nervous system, held down by alcohol, rebounds into overdrive. Blood pressure and heart rate climb, with sweating, tremor and anxiety. In severe cases, including delirium tremens, heart rhythm problems and dangerous blood pressure spikes can occur. Alcohol withdrawal should be medically supervised.

Opioid withdrawal

Heart rate and blood pressure rise modestly, with sweating, goosebumps, yawning, diarrhea, vomiting and aches. It is rarely life-threatening for healthy adults, but dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea can strain the heart, and the misery drives return to use.

Sedative withdrawal

Stopping benzodiazepines or similar sedatives abruptly after regular use can cause dangerous withdrawal, including seizures. Taper only with medical guidance.

Who is at higher risk

People with heart disease, high blood pressure, older adults and anyone who has had severe withdrawal before should withdraw under medical care.

Call 911 for

Chest pain, fainting, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion, seizures or hallucinations.

Help at Hope Addiction Medicine

Our team combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies, in person at our West Ashley office in Charleston and by telehealth when appropriate. New patients are often able to be scheduled within a week of requesting an appointment. Request an appointment or call our office.

This article is general health information and does not replace advice from your own provider. Never start, stop or change a medication without talking with your prescriber. If someone may be overdosing, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it.