Drug withdrawal

Drug withdrawal
Synonyms	Substance withdrawal
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Anxiety, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, hallucinations
Complications	Delirium tremens, relapse, overdose
Onset	Hours to days after stopping the drug
Duration	Days to weeks
Types	Alcohol withdrawal syndrome, opioid withdrawal, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, nicotine withdrawal
Causes	Discontinuation of psychoactive drugs
Risks	Substance use disorder, high-dose use, long-term use
Diagnosis	Clinical assessment, DSM-5 criteria
Differential diagnosis	Anxiety disorder, depression, infection
Prevention	Gradual tapering of the drug
Treatment	Supportive care, medication-assisted treatment, counseling
Medication	Benzodiazepines, clonidine, methadone, buprenorphine
Prognosis	Varies depending on the substance and individual
Frequency	Common among individuals with substance use disorders
Deaths	N/A

Drug withdrawal is a group of symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in intake of medications or recreational drugs.

Introduction

In order to experience the symptoms of withdrawal, one must have first developed a physical or mental dependence (often referred to as addiction) to a drug. This happens after consuming one or more of these substances for a certain period of time, which is both dose dependent and varies based upon the drug consumed. For example, stims, alcohol, and heroin all produce different kinds of physical and mental dependence based on their mechanisms of action within the body.

Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild anxiety and fatigue to severe depression. Physical symptoms can include tremor, sweating, palpitations, nausea, and seizures. In some cases, withdrawal can be life-threatening and can result in death.

Treatment

Treatment for drug withdrawal includes medication, psychotherapy, and support groups. A healthcare provider can prescribe medications to help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Psychotherapy and support groups can provide emotional support and help individuals understand their addiction.

See also

• Detoxification
• Drug detoxification
• Physical dependence
• Psychological dependence
• Rebound effect
• Substance dependence

External links

• MedlinePlus Drug Reactions and Interactions
• National Institute on Drug Abuse