Sweating as a Symptom of Addiction

Sweating is a natural process that the body does as a reaction to an increase in the temperature of the immediate environment. While it is normal for one to sweat when the weather is sunny and the climate is warm, there are certain conditions that can make one sweat profusely, even when the surrounding environment shouldn’t cause such a response.

One of these conditions is addiction. Many addictive substances, like cocaine and heroin, are known to cause instability in the body’s heat regulation process, and this often times results in an extreme flux of body temperature. The increase in body temperature ends up leading to the profuse release of sweat from skin pores scattered all over the body.

Addiction patients are known to exhibit the conspicuous symptom of excessive sweating, particularly after consuming the addictive substance. This can be attributed to the sudden activation of the body’s heating mechanism, which then leads to the execution of the counter-heating process, which principally involves the release of salty fluid from the pores of the skin.

So, even when the weather is cold, these patients will still sweat profusely because their bodies are no longer capable of regulating the process.

Symptoms That Accompany Sweating in Addiction Cases

When sweating is directly related to the consumption of an addictive substance, it is usually accompanied by other symptoms that may not be apparent in the patient. These signs may include abnormal chills, excessive anxiety to the point of paranoia, shaking of the body and limbs, and nausea.

All of these symptoms negatively affect the well-being of the patient by interrupting the body’s natural functions and creating a false

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sense of panic. It is easy to become suddenly delirious when they begin to sweat profusely after consuming the drug.

The Consequences of Sweating in Addiction Patients

Not only does profuse sweating lead to hygiene issues, it can also be a precursor to very serious ailments. Addictive substances like meth, cocaine, and heroin, usually function by dilating the blood vessels in order to drastically increase the rate of blood flow. This drastic increase in the flow of blood doesn’t only increase the heart rate of the patient, it also increases the amount of heat transferred to the surface of the skin.

Sweating could, therefore, be one of the minor effects of a major physiological change occurring in the body, possibly a result of the consumption of drugs.

Contacting a Medical Professional for Sweating Due to Addiction

When an addicted individual begins to sweat excessively, especially after consuming the substance they are addicted to, it is advisable that the individual immediately sees an expert physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Since there may be other possible reasons for the onset of profuse sweating, consulting a physician helps rule out other health threats and also ensures that the right addiction therapy is administered.

It is also common for a patient receiving detox treatment to experience sweating that may be regarded as excessive, so, medical care providers should give the right diagnosis before offering a therapeutic solution.

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