Withdrawal syndromes

Withdrawal syndromes refer to a group of symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in intake of medications or recreational drugs. The severity and duration of withdrawal syndromes can vary greatly depending on the type of substance being used, the duration of use, the dose, and the individual's overall health.

Overview

Withdrawal syndromes are typically the result of physical dependence on a substance. Physical dependence develops with repeated use of certain substances, particularly opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, and nicotine. When the substance is abruptly discontinued, withdrawal symptoms may occur as the body attempts to restore balance.

Symptoms

Symptoms of withdrawal syndromes can range from mild to severe, and may include both physical and psychological symptoms. Common symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and irritability. More severe symptoms can include seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens in the case of alcohol withdrawal.

Treatment

Treatment for withdrawal syndromes typically involves gradually reducing the dose of the substance, or switching to a less potent substance that has similar effects. This process, known as tapering, can help to minimize withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, medications may be used to manage specific symptoms of withdrawal.

See also

• Substance dependence
• Detoxification
• Drug withdrawal

Withdrawal syndromes Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski