GC: n
S: WHO – http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/terminology/withdrawal/en/ (last access: 9 December 2014); MD – https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/819502-overview?form=fpf (last access: 4 September 2024).
N: 1. withdrawal (adj): 1820s, “act of taking back,” also “retraction of a statement, from withdraw + –al.
syndrome (n): “a number of symptoms occurring together,” 1540s, from medical Latin, from Greek syndrome “concurrence of symptoms, concourse of people,” from syndromos “place where several roads meet,” literally “a running together,” from syn– “with” + dromos “a running, course”.
2. Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt discontinuation of a drug that has the capability of producing physical dependence. In example, common opiates withdrawal symptoms include sweating, goosebumps, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain.
3. Signs and symptoms of withdrawal vary depending on the substance discontinued.
The hallmark of alcohol withdrawal is a continuum of signs and symptoms ranging from simple tremulousness to delirium tremens. The spectrum varies greatly, and symptoms overlap in time and duration.
Chronic use of benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other sedatives or hypnotics produce withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation resembling those of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Sedative-hypnotic withdrawal syndrome is characterized by pronounced psychomotor and autonomic dysfunctions.
Opioid withdrawal syndrome may resemble a severe flu-like illness. The syndrome is characterized by rhinorrhea, sneezing, yawning, lacrimation, abdominal cramping, leg cramping, piloerection (gooseflesh), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dilated pupils.
Stimulant (cocaine and amphetamine) withdrawal, or wash-out syndrome, resembles severe depressive disorder. Manifestations include dysphoria, excessive sleep, hunger, and severe psychomotor retardation, whereas vital functions are well preserved.
S: 1. Etymonline – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=withdrawal; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=syndrome&searchmode=none (last access: 11 December 2014); DORLAND p. 2082. 2. MN – http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9974 (last access: 11 December 2014). 3. MD – http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/819502-overview (last access: 11 December 2014).
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