Withdrawal Symptoms: Definition, History, and Characteristics
Introduction
Withdrawal symptoms are a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when an individual suddenly stops taking a substance to which they have become physically dependent. In recent decades, the awareness and understanding of withdrawal symptoms has increased significantly, and now such symptoms are a common and important part of addiction treatment. This article will define withdrawal symptoms, provide an overview of their history, and discuss their characteristics.
Definition
The definition of withdrawal symptoms, as provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is as follows: “Withdrawal symptoms are physical and psychological symptoms that people experience when they decrease or stop the use of a substance to which they are physically dependent.”1 This definition emphasizes the physical and psychological nature of withdrawal symptoms, and their association with physical dependence on a substance.
History
The study of withdrawal symptoms dates back to the mid-1800s, when alcohol detoxification was first studied.2 Withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol use were described in detail in a 1928 publication,3 and since then, much research has been conducted on the subject. This research has primarily focused on symptoms associated with alcohol, opioids, and other substances, as well as the possible treatments for those symptoms.
Characteristics
Withdrawal symptoms may vary in severity and type, depending on the substance being used and the amount and duration of its use. Generally, withdrawal symptoms can be divided into two categories: physical and psychological. Physical symptoms include nausea, sweating, headaches, and muscle pain, while psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cravings.4 Symptoms of withdrawal can begin in as little as a few hours after the last use of a substance and can last for up to several weeks.4
Conclusion
Withdrawal symptoms are a set of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when an individual suddenly stops taking a substance to which they have become physically dependent. The study of withdrawal symptoms dates back to the mid-1800s, and today, much research is being conducted on the subject. Symptoms of withdrawal can vary in severity and type, and can begin in as little as a few hours after the last use of a substance and can last for up to several weeks.
References
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Withdrawal. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery/withdrawal
2. Syed, A., & Cohen, S. (2017). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: Historical review and its management. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(1), 8–14. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_287_16
3. Jellinek, E. M. (1928). Problem of alcoholism: A summary of the results of a survey of six hundred cured alcoholics. Quarterly Journal of Inebriety, 29(4), 257–279.
4. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.