Withdrawal

Withdrawal refers to the physical, emotional, cognitive and neurological symptoms that can appear when a substance is reduced or stopped after the body has adapted to it. Some withdrawal syndromes are mainly uncomfortable; others can become medically dangerous.

Withdrawal does not mean the same thing for every substance.

It develops when the body or nervous system has adapted to repeated exposure and the amount then falls enough for those adaptations to become temporarily mismatched with the new conditions.

Symptoms can affect the body, sleep, mood, thinking and neurological function. With some substances, withdrawal is distressing but usually not life-threatening when uncomplicated. With others, particularly alcohol and some sedative medicines, severe withdrawal can involve seizures, delirium or other serious complications.

Withdrawal is also not proof of addiction. It can occur after prescribed treatment if physical dependence has developed.

The important safety question is not simply whether withdrawal is present, but what substance is involved, what the person's withdrawal history is, and whether there are signs that medical assessment is needed.

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