Why Withdrawal Feels So Lonely

You might be feeling very alone right now if you're going through psychiatric drug withdrawal. If that’s you, I am so sorry. I’ve been there. And I want to say clearly: it won’t always feel like this.

In this post, I talk about:

• Why this kind of isolation is normal in withdrawal
• The losses that make it feel even worse
• Ways to cope and stay connected, even if just a little
• Why healing is real and connection comes back
• And a word of encouragement for those of you who need it

Why Withdrawal Feels So Isolating

Withdrawal can make you feel like you’ve been exiled from your own life. Things you once enjoyed - going to the gym, meeting friends, doing hobbies - suddenly feel impossible. Not just physically, but emotionally, too.

For a while, I could barely leave the house. Even if I saw people, I didn’t feel with them. That disconnection is heartbreaking, and very real.

You might also lose your ability to enjoy or even feel love. One friend told me she lost all feelings for her husband. It was awful. But as she healed, her feelings returned. That kind of numbness isn’t permanent. It’s part of what the nervous system is doing while it repairs.

What to Do When Friends Don't Get It

It’s extra hard when people close to you don’t understand. Maybe they dismiss your experience, avoid the topic, or try to “fix” it with advice that doesn’t help. That hurts.

Sometimes, those relationships go quiet for a while. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. You’re just not able to meet in the same place right now.

Instead, lean on people who have been through this:

• Peer support groups
• Withdrawal coaches
• Healing communities online (with healthy boundaries)
• One or two withdrawal buddies who check in regularly

Caution About Online Groups

Online forums can be a lifeline... but they can also be overwhelming. You might see symptom lists that scare you or spiral in comparison.

My tip: visit those spaces for encouragement, not for doomscrolling. If a post helps you feel less alone, great. If it ramps up your anxiety, walk away. Protect your peace.

Healing Happens—Slowly, Then Clearly

At my worst, I couldn’t eat sugar. I couldn’t sleep. I felt like I was going to burst out of my own skin. It was terrifying.

Now? I sleep through the night. I make lists. I take walks. I have real conversations... and not just about withdrawal.

Your suffering won’t stay this extreme. You are healing, even if it feels invisible right now.

A Word of Spiritual Encouragement

For me, withdrawal brought deep spiritual darkness. Regret. Fear. Shame. I was reminded of all the things I didn’t like about myself.

But I held on to this truth: God doesn’t doom those who come to Him. Through Christ, I’ve found mercy and forgiveness, even when I couldn’t feel it in the moment.

God hasn’t turned on you. He wants wholeness and restoration for you, too.

• You're not alone
• You're not crazy
• This isn't forever
• Healing is already happening

Lean on people who understand. Let the others go quiet for now. Cry on the floor if you need to. And then take one small step forward, knowing that thousands of others are walking this road too - and God is walking it with you.

💛 Joanna