Drug withdrawal

Uncommon card · No. 129253

Drug withdrawal, drug withdrawal syndrome, or substance withdrawal syndrome is the group of symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in the intake of pharmaceutical or recreational drugs. In order for the symptoms of withdrawal to occur, one must have first developed a form of drug dependence. This may occur as physical dependence, psychological dependence, or both. Drug dependence develops from consuming one or more substances over a period of time. Dependence arises in a dose-dependent manner and produces withdrawal symptoms that vary with the type of drug that is consumed. For example, prolonged use of an antidepressant medication is likely to cause a rather different reaction when discontinued compared to discontinuation of an opioid, such as heroin. Withdrawal symptoms from opioids include joint, bone and muscle pain, anxiety, cold sweats, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, vomiting, and diarrhea. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include irritability...

Read on Wikipedia