Tips for Fever Management During Withdrawal

Tips for Fever Management During Withdrawal Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Print Tips for Fever Management During Withdrawal By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 25, 2020 BSIP/Universal Images Group / Getty Images More in Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Methods and Support Personal Stories Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use A fever can be a withdrawal symptom among people who have been addicted to various substances, or even after a period of intense substance use. Fever symptoms may range from mild to severe. What Is a Fever? Body temperature varies from one individual to the next, and according to factors like time of day and menstrual cycle, but generally, a temperature of 99 to 99.5 F (37.2 - 37.5 C) is considered to be a fever in adults.?? Additional Symptoms of Fever Along with a fever, you may have these symptoms: WeaknessAppetite lossShiveringSweatingHeadacheAchy musclesDehydration If the fever is higher than  103 F (39.4 C), you may also experience confusion, irritability, hallucinations, or seizures.?? Fever in Withdrawal Doctors take withdrawal fever very seriously, and in detox, all fevers are thoroughly investigated to make sure that they are not the result of an underlying infection, which should be treated immediately. Drug users may be more vulnerable to infections for a variety of reasons, and both drug effects and withdrawal symptoms may mask the need for urgent treatment for another condition.  ?? Home Treatment To monitor and treat your withdrawal fever at home:?? Take and record your temperature. Abstain from smoking or hot fluids for 15-30 minutes before taking your temperature.If your temperature goes above 101.3 F (38.5, take the correct dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.Do not use painkillers containing codeine or any other opiate or opioid during withdrawalA tepid bath or sponge bath can help lower body temperature, but do not use cold or iced water, as shivering will increase internal body temperature.Remove layers of clothing. Do not bundle up even if you feel chilly or shivery.Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, popsicles, and clear soup. When to Seek Help Seek medical assistance immediately if: Your temperature goes above 103 F (40 C), and doesnt come down within an hour of home treatment.Your fever persists for more than 24 hours.You have a serious medical illness, such as a heart problem, sickle cell anemia, diabetes,  HIV  or  cystic fibrosis.You have a seizure with the fever.?? Symptoms of Addiction Symptoms of alcohol or drug addiction may include the following:?? Not being able to stop using the substance, even though youve triedSpending money you cant afford on the substanceParticipating in activities you normally wouldnt in order to get the substance, for example, stealingHaving a strong desire to regularly use the substance, whether daily or multiple times a dayExperiencing strong cravings for the substanceConcentrating more and more of your efforts on getting and using the substanceMaking sure you have an ample supply of the substanceDriving or other activities that could cause injury while you are under the influence of the substanceInterference with your work, school or home life because of the substance useDeveloping a tolerance for the substance so that it takes more of it to get the same effectA decline in your level of personal hygiene or grooming because of the increased substance useNot having as much energy or participating in as many activities as you used to