A rebound effect, a crash, and a comedown are all drug after-effects that cause different symptoms. It is important to understand each condition and how each set of symptoms plays a role in addiction.
The Rebound Effect
Understanding the rebound effect explains why certain drugs, particularly those that have a quick and intense effect on the nervous system, are very addictive. One of the ironies of addiction is that the rebound effect causes the person taking the drug to experience the very same effects they were hoping to escape through drug use. For example, when you take a sedative drug, which causes relaxation and drowsiness, a rebound effect of agitation will occur after the drug wears off, making you want to take more of the sedative drug in order to calm down. This can actually worsen the risk of developing an addiction, as people seek to recapture the effects they experienced after taking the drug. Pain is also intensified during a rebound from a painkiller, such as an opioid medication, or a street drug, such as heroin. The pain can be physical, emotional, or a combination of the two. Physical and emotional pain often go hand-in-hand, so it is easy to see how painkiller addiction develops.
The Comedown
The experience varies depending on the person, the amount of drug taken, as well as how long and how often the person has been using the drug. If the intoxication experience was too intense and made the person who took the drug feel uncomfortable, anxious, or delusional, the comedown can feel relatively pleasant, while for others, the comedown can be a disappointing sensation, signaling a return to reality and perhaps triggering further drug use. Make sure you tell them what you have taken, how much, and when. It is better to get early intervention than suffer greater complications later on.
The Crash
It involves helping the body recover not only from the toxicity and effects of the drugs, but also from any overexertion, lack of sleep, injuries, or other harms that potentially occurred during intoxication. This crash can last much longer than the original high because the body needs longer to recover from the effects of the substance and other behaviors that may have affected the drug user, such as lack of sleep. The most intense and unpleasant crash is typically experienced by people who use crack cocaine. The drug can be taken for several days at a time, often with increasing agitation and paranoia, before experiencing a crash several days of recovery. People who snort cocaine can experience the same pattern, but with less intensity than crack cocaine.
Withdrawal Fatigue
If you stop taking drugs, you may experience withdrawal fatigue. Regardless of the drug taken, fatigue is a trademark symptom of withdrawal. Even if the drug was a relaxing substance, the inability to relax and sleep will lead to the person feeling more tired than usual. In fact, it may be even more difficult for someone recovering from a sedative drug to sleep than for someone who took a stimulant, who may be able to crash for days.
Coping With Withdrawal Fatigue
Withdrawal fatigue is exhausting, but people often try and keep going at their usual pace. This is not a good idea, as it will take longer to restore energy and return to normal activities. Fatigue is your body’s way of getting you to rest and recuperate. Allow your body to recover by following these tips:
Take a break. Take a break from your usual activities—don’t go out socializing for a few days. Call in sick to work or school if you have to. Even if it is self-inflicted, you are not well enough to be up and about. Learn relaxation techniques. Practicing relaxation skills are very useful, and if you can, get enough sleep. Develop a relaxing bedtime routine. If you can’t sleep, try and do restful activities during the night, and, unless you are fully asleep, get up, bathe, dress, and eat during the daytime. This will help reset your body clock, which may have been affected by you not sleeping and waking at the usual times while you were using drugs. Consume a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and protein, aids in the recovery process. If you don’t have access to fresh food, talk to a pharmacist about the right amount of vitamin supplements. Vitamin C helps heal wounds, and vitamin B complex may help curb nicotine cravings.
If you don’t start to feel your energy return after a week or so of rest, see your doctor. Many people who use alcohol and drugs often have an underlying depressive disorder or other mood disorders. Sometimes, by getting proper treatment for the depression, people find that their substance use problems improve and they can quit. However, some withdrawal symptoms can actually make mental illness symptoms like anxiety, depression, sex difficulties, sleep problems, and psychosis worse. These are known as substance-induced disorders. An addiction specialist is the best person to diagnose and treat your condition, but if you don’t have access to a specialist, talk it over with another healthcare provider.
Energy Recovery
Everyone’s recovery experience is different. The good news is that most people who stop using drugs and alcohol regain energy, sometimes in as little as a few weeks. Of course, how quickly you recover depends on many factors including:
Your overall healthThe type of substance usedHow much and how often you were using the substanceLifestyle and emotional factors, such as whether you are living in a supportive environment, and whether you feel safe with the people around you
If you are not living with or near people who support you, it will be more difficult to regain your energy after substance use. If you are in an abusive relationship, it is unlikely you will feel alright until you get away from the abuser. No matter how much sleep you get, living with someone who hurts you emotionally or physically is exhausting. If this is the case for you, reach out for help. There are many resources available to help you and your children to make a fresh start. In the long term, nothing will be better for your energy than a drug-free, anxiety-free lifestyle. Your doctor or local police can help you if you are living with or feel controlled by someone you are in a relationship with. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
