Is Chest Pain During Withdrawal Normal?

New sensations, aches and pains can be overwhelming during withdrawal, which is a time when you need more support than ever. This article aims to break down the causes of chest pain during withdrawal and guide on when to seek professional help.

What is chest pain?

Chest pain refers to discomfort or a sensation of pressure in the chest area. A person with chest pain may describe it as mild to severe, and it usually comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, or disorientation.

The pain itself can range from a sharp, stapping feeling to a dull, crushing ache that persists over time. As the chest is such a large section of the body, chest pains can often spread to other areas like your arms, shoulders, or neck.

What happens to your body during withdrawal?

Withdrawal is what happens to your body as it adjusts to cessation from a substance it has grown to depend on. If a person has spent years using a substance like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, suddenly stopping can have radical knock-on effects.

Withdrawal can be like travelling in a high-speed vehicle and suddenly slamming on sharp brakes. The body quickly shuffles to regain balance, which isn’t easy. This is why professional help is so important for withdrawing in a safe and controlled way.

Common symptoms of withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms can affect almost every part of the body. The symptoms vary depending on the substance and the severity of dependence. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Physical symptoms: Tremors, nausea, headaches and fatigue are commonly reported physical effects during withdrawal. Many people also experience muscle aches and a heightened sensitivity to pain.
• Psychological symptoms: Many people experience anxiety, irritation, deep depression and restlessness as the body withdraws. Mental health challenges can exacerbate physical discomfort and pain.
• Disruptions to sleep: One of the biggest dangers of withdrawal is worsening sleep. Adequate rest is essential to a successful recovery and sleep disturbances can make withdrawal much more difficult. The physical results of insomnia, and the psychological struggles from unsettling dreams both compound the challenges of successful recovery.

The above-mentioned symptoms can all be contributing factors to chest pain. Heightened anxiety, increased heart rate and muscle tension can all take a toll on your body as it fights substance dependence.

While chest pain is less common than other direct withdrawal symptoms, chest pain should be closely monitored by healthcare professionals to determine if it’s part of withdrawal or an underlying health issue.

Potential risks associated with chest pain during withdrawal

Withdrawing from alcohol and other substances can increase the likelihood of chest pains. While not every pain in the chest is life-threatening, there is a chance that it can have serious implications. These risks can include:

How do I know if chest pain is a medical emergency?

Medical professionals may see chest pain as a relatively natural part of the withdrawal process. They will, however, search for warning signs during withdrawal that suggest links to a serious underlying condition.

Whether you’re experiencing chest pain alone or with supervision from professionals, it is critical to focus on the nature of your pain, where it is concentrated and how you feel it relates to other parts of your body. Some signs to look for include:

• Pain that feels like it’s crushing or radiating: If you’re feeling chest pain that spreads to your arms, neck, back, or jaw, it could indicate the onset of a heart attack.
• Shortness of breath and irregular breathing: You might feel shortness in drawing breath linked to your chest pains. This can be an indicator of a respiratory emergency requiring medical attention.
• Dizziness or fainting: The symptoms mentioned can mean your blood flow to the brain is under threat. This may lead to light-headedness, disorientation and in severe situations, completely fainting.
• Profuse sweating and nausea: If you’re experiencing alarming sweat and extreme sickness with chest pains, medical intervention may be essential.

During detox and withdrawal, you should immediately let staff know of these symptoms if they’re alongside chest pains. Trained medical professionals can relate symptoms to your medical history and substance use record. Electrocardiograms and biomarkers like troponins can relate chest pains to deeper heart-related issues.

How is mental health supported in detox withdrawal?

In the detox and withdrawal process, mental health is significantly important. Some people find that a worsening mental state directly correlates with the onset of physical aches and pains. For some, withdrawal can exacerbate underlying psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, and emotional instability.

Detox programmes often incorporate counselling and therapy to lay the foundation of mental stability. Techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can help you identify and manage your thought patterns and give you tools for coping with cravings.

In addition, detox programmes use peer support groups that provide deeper levels of mental health support. These programmes create a sense of community and use group activities to reduce the likelihood of self-isolating and suffering alone. Medical professionals in a detox programme focus on the physical and psychological challenges of withdrawal and use holistic approaches for total recovery.

I need professional help with substance recovery

Some people put up a monumental fight by themselves to work their way out of substance addiction. You are much more likely to succeed with the help and support of trained professionals, so if you experience chest pain as you withdraw, professional help may be a matter of life or death.

At UKAT, we tailor our care plans to your individual needs, carefully monitoring your withdrawal symptoms and preparing you for every challenge within addiction. With our support, you’ll have access to a safe and structured environment, evidence-based treatments and compassionate care.

Contact us today to start your path toward a healthier, substance-free life. Your journey to recovery can begin with just one call.