There are many different drugs, illicit and therapeutic, that can cause users to experience withdrawal symptoms after discontinuation. According to the text "Essential Psychopharmacology," the kind of symptoms experienced, as well as their severity, depend on a number of factors, including the type of drug, length of time the drug was used and dosage. Withdrawal symptoms occur because of a physical dependence that develops as a result of the body's ability to adapt to the continual presence of the drug. The text "Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment" states that withdrawal symptoms are most readily observed from depressants, stimulants and opioids.
Depressants
Drugs that are classified as depressants, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, include alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, marijuana and gamma hydroxybutyric acid, or GHB. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are available by prescription for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. GHB is popular as a party drug and is also known as the "date-rape drug," according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The text "Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment" lists headache, insomnia, anxiety, muscle tremor, fast heart rate and gastrointestinal upset as possible symptoms of withdrawal from depressants.
Stimulants
Stimulant drugs stimulate the nervous system and make users feel awake, energized and attentive. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency lists caffeine and nicotine as two of the most commonly used stimulants. The text "Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment" includes amphetamines, amphetamine-like drugs, cocaine and methylphenidate in its list of stimulants. With the exception of cocaine, these drugs are often prescribed to treat disorders such as ADD, ADHD, narcolepsy, overactive appetite in obesity, and some forms of depression. Withdrawal symptoms seen with the discontinuation of stimulant drugs include moodiness, irritability, lack of motivation, exhaustion, appetite increase and sleepiness.
Opioids
According to the text "Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment," opioids are analgesic, or pain-relieving, drugs that are similar in chemical structure and effect to substances derived from the opium poppy. Opioids include codeine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, heroin, methadone, morphine, opium and more. These substances are most often used clinically as strong analgesics to treat pain. Some, such as methadone, are also used to relieve withdrawal symptoms experienced by recovering drug addicts. "Essential Psychopharmacology" lists opioid withdrawal symptoms to include excessive tearing of the eyes, runny nose, diarrhea, yawning, muscle and bone pain, pupil dilation, racing heart and goose bumps.
References
- "Essential Psychopharmacology (2nd Edition)"; Stephen Stahl; 2002
- "Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment (Sixth Edition)"; Marc A. Schuckit; 2006
- The Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Depressants
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency: GHB
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency: Stimulants
