Is Having a Panic Attack Normal During Detox Withdrawal?

man-on-panic-attack

Last Updated:

March 5th, 2025


Detoxing from drugs or alcohol is an overwhelming process, with heightened anxiety often amplifying worries and triggering unsettling feelings of panic. These emotions used to be numbed by substance use and can feel like dark rising waters during withdrawal.

Panic attacks are common, with research suggesting that over a third of all people will experience one in their lives. They are terrifying to experience during recovery, but thankfully there are ways to help manage them.

What is a panic attack?

Panic attacks are brief episodes of extreme anxiety that cause the physical sensation of fear. Most panic attacks are thought to last between 5 and 20 minutes, though for some, they can last up to an hour.

At its core, a panic attack is an exaggeration of the way you normally respond to fear. The process starts in the brain’s amygdala, the region responsible for perceiving and processing fear. The amygdala believes that danger is present and triggers your nervous system. Your adrenaline surges as part of the “fight or flight” response, followed by an increase in your heart and breathing rate. Blood is quickly pumped around the body, and you enter a state of alert fear.

All of these bodily responses feel frightening, but experts state that the panic attack itself won’t cause you any physical harm. That being said, many of the symptoms of a panic attack can be a sign of other heart-related problems, like heart disease. Talking to your GP can be crucial if you’re experiencing any symptoms for extended periods.

Common symptoms of a panic attack

Panic attacks have many variations and can manifest in a myriad of ways. Some of the most common symptoms people experience during a panic attack include:

  • A racing sensation in your chest and an increased heart rate
  • Feeling hot and sweating more
  • Overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety
  • A surging wave of worry
  • Lightheadedness and numbness in hands and feet
  • Feeling sick
  • A sense of losing control or facing death
  • Feeling detached from reality

For most people, these symptoms usually peak at around 10 minutes, after which your heart rate begins to decrease, and the panic attack starts to wind down.

woman-in-panic-attack

Can detox make panic attacks more likely?

In short, quitting alcohol or a harmful substance can make a panic attack more likely.

Depending on which substance you’ve used and the duration of usage, going through detox and withdrawal can cause a range of symptoms linked to panic attacks. These symptoms include insomnia, trembling, anxiety, agitation and delirium tremens.

Alcohol and drug addiction over time can make you physically dependent. As your body detoxifies, it adjusts to the absence of the substance it once depended on. Many drugs alter the brain’s chemistry, especially the release of serotonin and dopamine. The brain’s reward system undergoes major upheaval as it adjusts to living without a substance. This is a major contributor to the feelings of panic and dread during withdrawal.

Another way withdrawal may increase the likelihood of a panic attack is the interesting relationship detox has with agoraphobia, the fear of not being able to escape. Research suggests that detoxing from a substance can increase the likelihood of experiencing agoraphobia, including detoxing from alcohol and antidepressants.

Panic attacks during withdrawal are not unusual during detox recovery, though with the right practices and support from professionals, they can become easier to manage.

How can I manage a panic attack during withdrawal?

While most people cannot predict when a panic attack will happen, having a plan can make you feel more in control when they occur.

Tips to help reduce the severity and combat the onset of a panic attack include:

Breathing techniques
One of the first things to do during a panic attack is to focus on your breath. Different types of breathing techniques can start a cascade of physical changes that promote either stress or relaxation.

Shallow breathing can increase anxiety and stress, so counteract overwhelming rushes by using focused breathing exercises, such as 4-7-8 breathing.

Here’s how to do it in steps:

  • Sit as comfortably as you can with your back straight. Rest your tongue against the back of your top teeth and keep it there
  • Exhale fully through your mouth until your lungs are emptied
  • Close your lips and inhale quietly through your nose for 4 counts
  • Hold your breath for 7 counts
  • Exhale completely through your mouth for 8 counts with a “whooshing” sound for emphasis

This completes one cycle. Repeat three more times or as many as you can manage. Drilling this exercise over time can help slow your heart rate and soothe you during a panic attack.

“Grounding” yourself
Grounding is a technique to soothe and manage overwhelming emotions, especially during panic attacks. A panic attack often triggers a sense of danger toward something that isn’t real, perceiving a nearby threat when there isn’t one. Grounding can help counteract anxiety by anchoring you to the present and shifting a focus onto your primary senses.

A simple grounding exercise you can try is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique:

  • Name 5 things that you can see (in details like form, colour and texture)
  • Name 4 things that you can hear (anything from the ambient humming of a fan to children playing outside)
  • Name 3 things that you can feel (the sense of touch helps, like the texture of your clothes or the solid ground beneath you)
  • Name 2 things you can smell (this might be the aroma of fresh coffee or the clean scent of hand soap)
  • Name 1 thing you can taste (strong mints can be grounding or the simplicity of water) 

Ending with the recognition of taste completes the exercise, helping you stay present and remember that the panic attack will pass.

Medical and therapeutic support

As you go through detox and withdrawal, the staff there to support you may be able to give you medication to help you with anxiety and panic symptoms. These can include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and beta blockers. These medications help soften and reduce your feelings of panic and dread.

The types of medication will depend on the substance you’re withdrawing from and must be given with proper medical guidance. While they can be effective in reducing panic symptoms, drugs like benzodiazepines can carry a high risk of dependency if used improperly.

In addition, the detox process can offer therapeutic support as part of your recovery. As a pre-emptive measure that reduces the risk of future panic attacks, techniques found in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage anxieties and strengthen your mental state. Remember that medical staff are there to support you and talk to them about feelings of anxiety.

I need help removing an addiction from my life

Escaping from addiction and entering detox can feel overwhelming. If you or someone you care about is navigating the challenges of addiction and experiencing panic attacks, know that you don’t have to face this journey alone.

At UKAT, we deliver personalised detox programmes that prioritise your physical and mental well-being. From managing anxiety with expert medical care to providing therapeutic techniques that strengthen your recovery, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Don’t let the fear of withdrawal or panic stop you from regaining control of your life. Contact us today to learn how we can help you transition to a healthier, substance-free life.

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