Withdrawal Symptoms - What Is It?
Patience - Not Panic - is the Key if You Are a Victim of Withdrawal
Oct 18, 2009
When you look up various definitions of "withdrawal symptom," you will find that the basic connotation refers to a separation from some kind of addiction. The Medical Dictionary defines it as “Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt discontinuation of a drug that has the capability of producing physical dependence.”
While cigarettes, alcoholic drinks and narcotics may lead to dependence, this term can also fittingly apply to a great bulk of the medicinal drugs as well.
What’s more, you may face an occasional withdrawal problem on the emotional fronts too – that is in your love or family life. The enormity of the problem notwithstanding, the discussion on this page is confined only to the very basics of withdrawal symptoms.
Causes Attributable to Withdrawal Symptoms
It is apparent from the definition given above that withdrawal symptoms may normally set in when someone tries to kick the habit of taking an addictive substance or a habit-forming medicine. In other words, an abrupt separation (or withdrawal) from anything that you may have got used to - it could be material or familial – is bound to leave you in a physical or emotional turmoil.
A single symptom, or a group comprised of several symptoms, may occur as a consequence of a break in habit or withdrawal. In many cases, abruptly curtailing the intake of a drug may also result in manifestation of withdrawal symptoms.
The Symptoms
It has been comprehensively established by experts that the reaction to any kind of withdrawal could lead to a host of physical and psychological conditions. Some of the most commonly occurring symptoms include lack of concentration, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, excessive sweating, myalgia/muscle pain, nausea/ vomiting, stomach disorders/diarrhea, tingling sensations, dizziness/vertigo, headache and body tremor.
There have also been indications of suicidal tendency, bouts of crying, anorexia (a lack of desire to eat), aggression/agitation, chill, fever, flu and fatigue generally associated with the withdrawal process. A few other symptoms, though relatively less common but not exactly rare, include nightmares, bright and colorful dreams, hot flashes, confusion, memory problems, instability in gait, hallucinations and blurred vision.
How Do You Take Care of the Withdrawal Symptoms?
You may not have many choices to try and overcome the withdrawal problems, except perhaps seeking the advice of your personal physician. You should make it a point to share your thoughts with him or her before you decide to discontinue the drug or skip some of your doses all at once. Your doctor may advise you to taper off the doses gradually before stopping it altogether, or prescribe something else to rid you of your problem.
Some experts say that missing even a single dose could spell trouble for you. Nevertheless, you need not panic. Actually, these symptoms that you experience – whether physical or psychological, or a combination of both - normally occur in varying degrees in almost all cases of withdrawal. A patient approach to the problem should help you get back to a healthy lifestyle sooner than you would have otherwise expected.
References:
1. MedicineNet, Inc. (1996-2009). MedicineNet.Com. 21 July 1999.
<http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9974>
2. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2009). Wikipedia: Withdrawal. 16 October 2009.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/withdrawal>
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