Abstinence is the willful absence of a particular behavior, practice or substance use. Although it often refers to refraining from sexual contact, it can also concern discontinuation of alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking or addictive behaviors like gambling. The side effects of abstinence can be psychological or physiological and may depend on the severity of the addiction or accommodation your body has made to a substance.
Unplanned Relapse
Abstaining from sexual contact generally has no unwanted side effects, unless the abstinence is forced by religious or philosophical bias upon an unwilling subject. The positive effects include complete freedom from fear of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases according to the American Pregnancy Association. One possible side effect could come from frustration over abstinence to the point that will power is suddenly at an end and sex is resumed without planning or proper protection so that either pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease occurs. Planned Parenthood states sexual activity shouldn't be resumed without proper pregnancy and infection prevention.
Drug Withdrawal
Abstaining from drugs such as opiates can have both psychological and physiological side effects including nausea, sleeplessness, sweating and irritability. Medical supervision is necessary for healthy and effective abstinence. Drugs.com states that even nicotine withdrawal can produce intense irritability, headaches and nicotine cravings if smoking is suddenly cut off or even if a smoker reduces the number of cigarettes smoked, because the body has become tolerant to a certain level of nicotine. The amount of withdrawal sickness varies from person to person. Alcohol cravings and the cycle of addiction can destroy a person's health, social life, employment and relationships.
Caffeine Withdrawal
Caffeine withdrawal side effects such as intense headaches and impaired thinking have been studied when people abstain from something as simple as coffee or tea. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine states that 73 percent of those who took part in experimental withdrawal of caffeine had functional impairment, including headaches, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating on a task.
