Why is it that, for some people, catching a Cold or getting the Flu is a trigger to use again? Is it merely the desire to mitigate discomfort; or, maybe just out of habit, an automatic response to the symptoms? I can surely recall tossing back a hot toddy or two when I got sick back in the day.

Would you say that the symptoms of withdrawals are a big trigger?

What if I told you that withdrawals and the Flu are the same thing?

There is a bit of a misleading definition of drug withdrawals. It’s not because the drug isn’t there anymore, per se. It’s not because of dependence. Nobody is dependent on a drug for anything other than the fake reward signals it induces. When you quit, or decrease, drug use, the body’s true state reveals itself, and it starts taking measures to correct it.

These are the same mechanisms your body turns on when you are undergoing the Flu. Which is just another detox.

Fever, aches, headaches, weakness, fatigue, and nausea are some of the symptoms of your body doing what it is supposed to do: recalibrating, rebalancing, and taking out the trash: germs, bacteria, viruses, pathogens, etc.

Whether it’s withdrawals or the Flu, whether it be organic pathogens or non-organic toxins, the body engages the Intense Immune Response gears when it’s reached its limit. Each has their purpose:

FEVER – enhances immune system activity (white blood cells and macrophages and such) and makes the environment in your body inhospitable for the living invaders.

 WEAKNESS AND FATIGUE – is the body reallocating energy to deal with the problem. “Scotty! Transfer all remaining battery cells to main thrusters.”

NAUSEA – is the body’s way of saying, “Don’t eat right now, we have a situation here, we don’t have time to digest your Tacos.” It’s a forced Fast. If you decide to do regular Fasting it triggers the same deep cleaning physiology. Ketosis and fat burning, where a big chunk of toxins are stored.

ACHES: are a sign of war. The flu jolts the immune system to fight off invading germs. While that happens, white blood cells travel throughout the body, producing antibodies to attack the virus. This combat generates inflammation, leading you to feel sick and — ironically — serving as proof your body is fighting off the infection.

While every body cell is undergoing a good scrubbing, it is also RECALIBRATING: Blood sugar levels, pH balance, salt levels, etc.

The symptoms are not the problem, but a natural response to remedy the problem. And since this response feels nasty, very uncomfortable, we usually seek relief from medications or our drug of choice—which inhibits the very process your body is undergoing to try and save your life.