Symptoms of Detoxing: What to Expect, What’s Normal, and When to Get Help

When you stop using alcohol or drugs after regular use, your body begins a complex process of recalibration. This detoxification process triggers a range of temporary symptoms as your system works to eliminate toxins and restore balance. Understanding these symptoms can help you prepare for what lies ahead and recognize when professional help is essential.

Quick Answer: Common Symptoms of Detoxing

Detoxing from alcohol or drugs often causes temporary physical and emotional symptoms as the body adjusts to functioning without the addictive substance. These symptoms occur because your brain and body have adapted to the presence of drugs or alcohol, and now must recalibrate without them.

The most common detox symptoms include:

• Body pain and muscle aches

• Excessive sweating and chills

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Mood swings and irritability

• Fatigue and exhaustion

• Sleep problems and vivid dreams

• Intense cravings

Uncomfortable but usually normal symptoms include shaking, sweating, mild confusion, flu-like aches, headaches, and digestive changes. These symptoms tend to peak within the first few days and gradually improve.

Dangerous symptoms requiring immediate help include seizures, chest pain, hallucinations, severe confusion, high fever, and suicidal thoughts. These represent medical emergencies that demand professional intervention.

Medical detox at a professional center is the safest option for managing withdrawal symptoms. Tru Dallas Detox stands out as the best treatment center in Dallas, Texas, offering comprehensive medical oversight and personalized protocols for safe detoxification.

Most symptoms peak within 24-72 hours and significantly improve with proper medical care and support. While the experience can be challenging, it represents your body’s natural response to healing.

What Does It Mean When Your Body Is Detoxing?

Detoxing refers to the process of your body clearing alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other substances after you significantly reduce or completely stop using them. This is the critical first phase of addiction treatment, where your system works to expel harmful substances that have accumulated during active use.

The detox process operates on two interconnected levels. Physically, your liver, kidneys, and other organs shift into overdrive to metabolize and eliminate toxic substances from your bloodstream. Your brain, which has adapted its chemistry around the presence of drugs or alcohol, must relearn how to function independently. Psychologically, neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate begin recalibrating, which explains the intense emotional and mental symptoms many people experience.

The terms “detox” and “withdrawal” often overlap in conversation. However, detox typically refers to the entire medically supervised process of managing the withdrawal process, while withdrawal specifically describes the symptoms that emerge when substance use stops. Medical professionals use structured protocols to ease this transition safely.

Several factors influence what your detox experience will look like:

• Substance type: Alcohol and benzodiazepines carry different risks than opioids or stimulants

• Duration of use: Long term substance abuse creates deeper physiological dependence

• Dosage: Higher amounts typically mean more intense symptoms

• Age and overall health: Chronic diseases and co-occurring conditions affect symptom severity

• Genetics: Individual biochemistry influences how quickly your body adapts

Detox is the essential first phase of recovery, not a standalone cure. It prepares your body and mind for the deeper therapeutic work that addresses the root causes of substance use disorder.

Common Physical Symptoms of Detoxing

Physical symptoms often appear within hours to a day after your last use, and many people describe the experience as similar to having a severe flu or bad infection. Your body begins expelling harmful substances while simultaneously trying to restore normal function—a demanding process that manifests in various uncomfortable ways.

Key physical symptoms include:

• Digestive issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

• Excessive sweating and temperature fluctuations

• Tremors and shaking

• Body pain and muscle aches

• Persistent headaches

• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure

• Sleep disturbances

These common signs reflect what’s happening internally: your nervous system is overreacting after losing the substance it depended on, you’re likely dehydrated, and electrolyte imbalances are throwing multiple systems off balance. The body’s efforts to restore equilibrium create these uncomfortable but often temporary symptoms.

While many physical symptoms are manageable with proper care, some can signal a medical emergency. This is especially those involving alcohol or benzodiazepines, where seizures and life threatening complications can develop rapidly. The following sections detail specific symptom groups and provide guidance on what to expect.

Digestive Changes: Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea

The digestive system is often one of the first areas affected during detox. Your autonomic nervous system—which controls gut function—becomes dysregulated when the substance it adapted to suddenly disappears. Combined with dehydration and poor nutrition from active use, this creates significant gastrointestinal distress.

Typical digestive symptoms include a queasy stomach, dry heaving, active vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and complete loss of appetite. These symptoms commonly appear within the first 24-72 hours for most substances. Clinical observations indicate that nausea and vomiting affect 70-80% of people during the acute detox phase, with increased bowel movements accelerating the body’s clearance of toxins.

These symptoms can be intense, but they usually begin to ease within several days with proper hydration and medical support. The discomfort, while unpleasant, represents your body working to eliminate toxins and reset normal digestive function.

For those in medically supervised or advised detox, helpful strategies include:

• Sipping water or electrolyte fluids consistently (targeting 3-4 liters daily)

• Eating bland foods when tolerated (the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)

• Avoiding greasy, spicy, or processed foods

• Taking small, frequent sips rather than large amounts at once

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience: Vomiting that won’t stop, severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration (no urination, dizziness, severe confusion, very dry mouth), or blood in vomit or stool. These symptoms require immediate evaluation by medical professionals.

Muscle Aches, Body Pain, and Fatigue

Muscle aches and flu-like body pain are especially common when detoxing from opioids, alcohol, and sedatives. This occurs because these substances have been suppressing pain signals and inflammation, and their removal leaves the body temporarily hypersensitive.

The sensation is often described as a deep ache in the back and legs, joint stiffness, “restless legs” that won’t stay still, and generalized soreness throughout the body. Research shows these symptoms affect 60-70% of patients and typically peak within the first 2-4 days before gradually improving.

Fatigue during detox goes beyond normal tiredness. Your body is redirecting significant energy toward hepatic Phase I/II detoxification enzymes (CYP450 pathways) and rebalancing brain chemistry. This metabolic redirection causes profound exhaustion that improves as sleep patterns normalize and organ function stabilizes.

Gentle strategies for managing body pain and fatigue include:

• Prioritizing rest without guilt

• Light stretching or short walks if physically safe

• Warm showers or baths to ease muscle tension

• Over-the-counter pain relief only under medical guidance

Important warning: Sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or one-sided weakness are not normal detox symptoms. These require emergency care immediately, as they may indicate heart attacks or other serious conditions unrelated to typical detox discomfort.

Excessive Sweating and Temperature Changes

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is a frequent detox symptom related to nervous system overactivity. When alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines leave your system, the sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive, triggering the sweat response as your body temperature fluctuates unpredictably.

What you may notice includes drenched sheets at night, clammy skin during the day, alternating hot and cold flashes, and a strong body odor while detox is in full swing. Some people experience mild fever as their body adjusts, though temperature changes are typically not dangerous on their own.

While sweating helps the body adjust and represents the skin’s excretory role in expelling harmful substances, it significantly increases the risk of dehydration and electrolyte loss. This makes hydration even more critical during this phase.

Comfort and safety tips for managing sweating:

• Wear loose cotton clothing that breathes

• Change bedding frequently to stay comfortable

• Drink water or oral rehydration solutions consistently

• Avoid overheating by keeping room temperature moderate

• Consider herbal tea (caffeine-free) for gentle hydration

Red flag: Very high fever (above 101°F), severe confusion, or uncontrollable shaking can be signs of delirium tremens or other serious complications. These require emergency medical care—do not wait to see if symptoms pass.

Sleep Problems: Insomnia and Disturbing Dreams

Many people in detox experience significant sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking throughout the night, or vivid and unsettling dreams. Sleep problems affect 50-60% of those in early detox and can persist into the first weeks of recovery.

Alcohol, benzodiazepines, and stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine severely disrupt normal sleep architecture. When you stop using these certain substances, your brain experiences “REM rebound”—a surge of dream-heavy sleep that was suppressed during active use. This often manifests as intense, disturbing, or bizarrely vivid dreams.

Insomnia creates a challenging cycle: poor sleep worsens irritability, anxiety, and cravings, which in turn makes it harder to fall asleep. This is why professional support during the first week proves especially valuable, as medical teams can monitor symptoms and provide appropriate interventions.

Simple sleep-support strategies include:

• Maintaining a regular bedtime, even if sleep doesn’t come easily

• Dimming lights in the evening to support natural melatonin production

• Avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed

• Using relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) instead of reaching for substances

• Creating a cool, quiet sleep environment

Persistent insomnia and nightmares may continue into early recovery for weeks. A medically supervised program like Tru Dallas Detox can provide safer, structured management of sleep disturbances, including appropriate medications when needed.

Cravings and Appetite Changes

Cravings are a core symptom of detox and early recovery as the brain adapts to life without substances. These intense urges represent your brain’s learned association between the substance and relief, reward, or escape—neural pathways that take time to rewire.

Typical patterns include intense urges to drink or use, mental preoccupation with the substance (thinking about it constantly), and dramatic appetite changes. Some people experience sudden intense hunger as their body seeks energy and nutrients, while others lose their appetite entirely.

Cravings can be triggered by:

• Stress or emotional upset

• Specific places associated with past use

• Certain people or social situations

• Times of day linked to previous use (after work, late at night)

• Physical discomfort that previously prompted substance use

Effective coping tools include talking to staff or support persons immediately when cravings hit, distraction through short walks, showers, or simple tasks, staying hydrated, and eating small regular meals to stabilize blood sugar. A balanced diet supports your body’s healing process and can reduce craving intensity.

Medical detox programs provide both medication (when appropriate) and behavioral strategies to help manage cravings safely. This dual approach addresses the physical and psychological components simultaneously.

Psychological and Emotional Symptoms of Detoxing

Detox is not just physical. Your brain chemicals—including GABA, glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin—are all recalibrating simultaneously, leading to significant mood and thinking changes. This neurochemical rebalancing explains why emotional well being feels so unstable during early detox.

The most common psychological symptoms include:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Irritability and agitation

• Depression and low mood

• Rapid mood swings

• Confusion and difficulty concentrating

• Restlessness and inability to relax

These symptoms are very common and often temporary, but they can feel overwhelming without professional support. The intensity can catch people off guard, especially those who expected detox to be primarily a physical experience.

People detoxing from stimulants, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids can all experience emotional instability, though patterns differ by specific substance. Stimulant withdrawal, for example, tends to produce more pronounced depression, while benzodiazepine withdrawal often features severe anxiety symptoms.

Some psychological symptoms require immediate help. The following sections explore anxiety, mood swings, and depression in detail, including warning signs that demand urgent intervention.

Increased Anxiety and Panic

Anxiety may appear or intensify dramatically during detox, manifesting as racing thoughts, chest tightness, sweating, shaking, and feeling constantly “on edge” or unable to relax. For many, this represents one of the most challenging aspects of early detox.

This heightened anxiety is partly due to the nervous system being overstimulated after losing the sedating effects of alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Your brain’s GABA-glutamate equilibrium—which these substances artificially regulated—is now working to find its natural balance. During this transition, anxiety symptoms can feel overwhelming.

Non-medication approaches commonly used in supervised detox include:

• Breathing exercises (slow, deep breaths activating the parasympathetic nervous system)

• Grounding techniques (focusing on physical sensations to interrupt anxious thoughts)

• Access to quiet spaces away from stimulation

• Regular reassurance from trained staff

• Structured routines that reduce uncertainty

In medical detox settings, doctors may sometimes prescribe carefully chosen medications to help manage severe anxiety symptoms safely. This is particularly important for those at risk of seizures or other complications.

Important: Sudden, overwhelming panic with chest pain, shortness of breath, or fear of dying should be evaluated by medical professionals immediately. While panic attacks during detox are common, these symptoms can also indicate cardiac or respiratory emergencies.

Mood Swings, Irritability, and Emotional Release

Mood can swing rapidly during detox—from anger to sadness to unexpected relief—often multiple times in the same day. This emotional volatility reflects the brain’s adjustment process as neurotransmitter levels fluctuate unpredictably.

What this looks like in practice:

• Crying unexpectedly without clear cause

• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected

• Becoming easily frustrated with family, friends, or staff

• Moments of surprising clarity followed by confusion

• Irritability that seems disproportionate to triggers

This is a normal part of the brain’s adjustment process. Additionally, accumulated stress and suppressed emotions finally surface once substances are removed. Many people have been using drugs or alcohol to avoid or numb difficult feelings, and detox brings these to the surface.

Supportive strategies include brief journaling to process emotions, short counseling sessions with trained professionals, and structured daily routines that create a sense of stability and predictability. Even simple schedules can anchor emotional well being when internal states feel chaotic.

In a center like Tru Dallas Detox, trained clinicians help patients process these emotions in a safe, nonjudgmental supportive environment. This professional support prevents emotional overwhelm from derailing the detox process.

Low Mood, Hopelessness, and Suicidal Thoughts

Some individuals, particularly those coming off alcohol, opioids, or stimulants, experience low mood, emptiness, or hopelessness in early detox. Clinical data shows that 40-50% report depressive episodes during stimulant crashes, and similar patterns emerge with other substances.

This depression relates to depleted dopamine and other neurotransmitters that were chronically overstimulated during active use. Your brain’s reward system has been artificially stimulated for so long that normal activities feel flat or meaningless by comparison. This is temporary, but it doesn’t feel temporary when you’re in it.

Critical warning: Thoughts of self-harm, wishing to die, or making plans to hurt oneself are medical emergencies. These mental health problems require immediate intervention and should never be dismissed as “just part of detox.”

If suicidal thoughts appear or worsen, take these steps immediately:

• Tell medical staff right away if in a treatment setting

• Call emergency services (911) if at home

• Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

• Do not leave the person alone if you’re a family member or friend

Professional detox and follow-up treatment drastically reduce risk when these symptoms are monitored and treated early. The Mental Health Services Administration emphasizes that integrated care—combining medical detox with mental health support—significantly improves outcomes.

Substance-Specific Detox Symptoms and Timelines

Each substance has its own typical symptom pattern and timeline, though individual experiences vary based on duration of use, dosage, overall health, and genetic factors. Understanding these patterns helps set realistic expectations.

Timelines are estimates: symptoms generally start within hours to a few days after last use, peak within 2-4 days for most substances, and improve over 1-2 weeks during the acute phase. However, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and some opioid patterns can produce dangerous symptoms if detox is attempted alone.

Medical supervision at Tru Dallas Detox is strongly recommended for anyone with significant substance abuse history. Attempting drug and alcohol detox without professional oversight increases complication rates dramatically—supervised detox reduces these risks by approximately 80%.

Protracted withdrawal—sometimes called post acute withdrawal syndrome—can extend symptoms like sleep problems, mood issues, and mild cravings for weeks or months. This extended timeline underscores why detox should connect to ongoing treatment rather than standing alone.

Alcohol Detox Symptoms

Alcohol detox presents unique dangers that make medical supervision essential. Common early symptoms include shaking hands, sweating, anxiety, nausea, headache, and insomnia, typically beginning within 6-12 hours after the last drink.

Symptoms usually peak around 24-72 hours and can include:

• Elevated heart rate (100-120 bpm is common)

• High blood pressure

• Confusion and disorientation

• Tremors that worsen under stress

• Visual or auditory disturbances

In severe cases, delirium tremens (DTs) develops 2-3 days after stopping heavy drinking. DTs involves severe confusion, vivid hallucinations, extreme agitation, fever above 101°F, and heavy sweating. This hyperadrenergic state carries mortality rates of 5-15% if untreated, making it genuinely life threatening.

Alcohol detox can be fatal without medical care and should never be attempted “cold turkey” at home for heavy or long-term drinkers. The 5-10% of dependent individuals who develop severe symptoms require 24/7 monitoring and immediate access to intervention.

Tru Dallas Detox offers around-the-clock monitoring, medications (including benzodiazepines for seizure prevention), and supportive care specifically designed to prevent and manage severe alcohol withdrawal complications. Their medical team recognizes that alcohol detox demands the highest level of clinical vigilance.

Opioid Detox Symptoms (Heroin and Prescription Painkillers)

Opioid withdrawal produces hallmark symptoms that many describe as the worst flu of their lives: muscle and bone pain, runny nose, excessive yawning, teary eyes, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intense cravings.

Symptoms often begin 8-24 hours after the last dose for short-acting opioids (heroin, immediate-release painkillers) and generally last about 4-10 days for the acute phase. Clinical observations indicate that vomiting and diarrhea affect 80-90% of cases, peaking at 24-72 hours.

While opioid withdrawal is usually not life threatening on its own, it is extremely uncomfortable—uncomfortable enough to drive relapse and risky drug use. The intense physical distress makes unsupervised detox attempts particularly dangerous, as people often return to use at their previous dose with reduced tolerance, dramatically increasing overdose risk.

Medical detox can include medications like buprenorphine or other supportive medicines to ease symptoms and reduce cravings. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) integration has been shown to boost sobriety rates by 50% at six months compared to detox alone.

Tru Dallas Detox creates personalized opioid detox plans to keep patients safer and more comfortable throughout this period. Their protocols address both the physical agony and psychological cravings that make opioid withdrawal so challenging.

Benzodiazepine Detox Symptoms

Benzodiazepines (including Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin) require especially careful, often gradual detox because of significant seizure and psychosis risk. These medications work on GABA receptors, and abrupt discontinuation can cause the nervous system to become dangerously overexcited.

Common symptoms include:

• Rebound anxiety (often worse than the original anxiety being treated)

• Insomnia and restlessness

• Tremors and muscle stiffness

• Sensory hypersensitivity (sounds seem louder, lights brighter)

• In severe cases, hallucinations or seizures

Symptoms may begin 1-4 days after the last dose (longer for long-acting benzos like Valium), peak within the first 1-2 weeks, and can partially persist as protracted withdrawal for months without proper management. This extended timeline makes benzodiazepine detox fundamentally different from most other substances.

Benzodiazepine detox should always be medically supervised and typically involves a slow taper plan designed by a physician. Attempting to stop cold turkey—especially after high doses or prolonged use—creates unacceptable risk of seizures and other complications.

Tru Dallas Detox provides structured, medically managed benzo detox with continuous monitoring and a gradual approach to minimize risk. Their physicians create individualized taper schedules based on the specific substance, dosage history, and patient response.

Stimulant Detox Symptoms (Cocaine and Methamphetamine)

Stimulant withdrawal differs from depressant withdrawal in important ways. The typical “crash” after stopping cocaine or methamphetamine includes extreme fatigue, dramatically increased sleep, low mood, agitation, and intense cravings.

Additional symptoms often include:

• Vivid, sometimes disturbing dreams

• Dramatically increased appetite

• Strong psychological symptoms (anxiety, paranoia, irritability)

• Mental clarity problems and difficulty concentrating

• Profound depression that can feel normal to the person experiencing it

Acute symptoms usually start within hours to a day after last use and improve over several days. However, mood changes can linger significantly longer—depression following methamphetamine use can persist for up to six months in some cases.

Monitoring for depression and suicidal thoughts during stimulant detox is critical. While stimulant withdrawal rarely produces the life threatening physical complications of alcohol or benzodiazepines, the psychological toll can be severe. Functional medicine approaches that address nutritional depletion can also support recovery.

Tru Dallas Detox’s supervised environment offers safety, structure, and emotional support that are crucial during the initial crash and stabilization period. Their team understands that stimulant recovery requires significant attention to mental health alongside physical stabilization.

When Detox Symptoms Are Dangerous: Red Flags to Watch For

Some detox symptoms signal a medical emergency and should never be ignored or managed alone at home. Recognizing these warning signs can be the difference between successful detox and life threatening complications.

Red flags that demand immediate emergency response include seizures (which can occur suddenly and without warning in alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal), chest pain or pressure, severe shortness of breath, high fever combined with severe confusion, uncontrolled vomiting leading to severe dehydration, hallucinations (especially visual ones common in DTs), extreme agitation or violence, and suicidal thoughts or plans.

Do not wait to “see if it passes” when these symptoms appear. Call emergency services immediately. The window for safe intervention can be narrow, especially with seizures or cardiac events.

Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal are particularly high-risk and should always be managed with medical oversight. Statistics from clinical settings show that unsupervised attempts carry complication rates of 20-30%, compared to approximately 5% in medically supervised settings.

Tru Dallas Detox is equipped to assess and stabilize patients safely, with access to urgent medical care if needed. Their 24/7 nursing staff monitors for these warning signs continuously, allowing rapid response when symptoms escalate beyond normal detox discomfort.

How Medical Detox Helps Manage Symptoms Safely

Medical detox refers to supervised withdrawal in a licensed setting with doctors, nurses, and therapists working together to ensure patient safety. This represents a fundamentally different approach than attempting to white-knuckle through detox at home or in an outpatient setting without appropriate support.

Key components of medical detox include:

Medical detox doesn’t just “watch” symptoms—it actively treats them to reduce discomfort and prevent complications. This active management makes the difference between an agonizing experience and a manageable one.

Detox is typically followed by residential or outpatient treatment to address the underlying addiction and prevent relapse. Research consistently shows that detox alone, without follow-up treatment, results in 80-90% relapse rates within a year. The detoxification process clears substances from your body; subsequent treatment addresses why you used them in the first place.

Why Choose Tru Dallas Detox for Detox Symptoms in Dallas, Texas?

Tru Dallas Detox is recognized as the best treatment center in Dallas, Texas for safe, medically supervised detox from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances. Their comprehensive approach combines medical excellence with genuine compassion for those beginning their recovery journey.

The environment at Tru Dallas Detox features 24/7 nursing support, on-site medical providers, comfortable accommodations, and a calm, structured setting away from triggers in the Dallas area. This combination creates the conditions necessary for safe, effective detox—verification successful waiting for medical attention is never necessary.

Tru Dallas Detox offers personalized detox plans based on:

• Complete substance use history

• Co-occurring mental health conditions

• Physical health needs and chronic conditions

• Previous detox experiences

• Individual tolerance and dependence patterns

The team manages both physical symptoms (pain, nausea, sweating, insomnia) and psychological symptoms (anxiety, mood swings, cravings) using evidence-based approaches. This integrated model aligns with recommendations from the Mental Health Services Administration and reflects current best practices in addiction treatment.

If you’re in Dallas-Fort Worth or throughout North Texas and considering detox, contact Tru Dallas Detox for confidential help starting a safe detox. Their staff can assist with insurance verification, answer questions about the treatment program, and help plan next steps in your recovery journey.

Life After Detox: What Happens Once Symptoms Subside?

When acute detox symptoms ease—typically after 5-10 days depending on the substance—the real work of recovery begins. Detox addresses physical dependence, but long term recovery requires counseling, relapse prevention skills, and rebuilding daily life without substances.

Lingering symptoms that may continue for weeks include:

• Mild sleep disturbances and insomnia

• Mood fluctuations and occasional low days

• Periodic cravings, especially in triggering situations

• Mental clarity that improves gradually over time

• Energy levels that stabilize slowly

This extended period, sometimes called post acute withdrawal syndrome, reminds us that addiction affects the brain in ways that take time to heal. Ray I, a researcher in addiction medicine, notes that neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself—continues for months after substances are cleared from the body.

Ongoing treatment options include residential rehab for those needing intensive support, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs that allow work or school, and traditional outpatient counseling. The right level depends on individual circumstances, support systems, and severity of addiction.

Tru Dallas Detox can transition clients smoothly into the next level of care with trusted programs in and around Dallas, Texas. This continuity of care—from detox through ongoing treatment—dramatically improves long term recovery outcomes.

Understanding detox symptoms and seeking professional help greatly increases the chances of lasting sobriety and overall well being. The discomfort of detox is temporary; the benefits of recovery extend across every area of your life.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, don’t wait for the “right time” to feel normal again. Contact Tru Dallas Detox today to learn about their medically supervised detox programs and take the first step toward reclaiming your health and your future. Support groups and professional help are available—you don’t have to face this alone.