Withdrawal, Drug
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Basics
Description
- Neuroexcitation is the hallmark of benzodiazepine, barbiturate, and opiate withdrawal
- Benzodiazepine and barbiturate withdrawal can be life threatening
- Opiate withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable but is not typically life threatening
- Cocaine and amphetamine withdrawal are similarly not life threatening
Etiology
- Chronic exposure to certain drugs cause adaptive changes in the CNS
- Withdrawal syndromes occur when the constant presence of drug is removed or reduced and the adaptive changes persist
- Tolerance occurs when increasing amounts of drug are required to achieve a given response
- Withdrawal and tolerance are distinct entities
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Basics
Description
- Neuroexcitation is the hallmark of benzodiazepine, barbiturate, and opiate withdrawal
- Benzodiazepine and barbiturate withdrawal can be life threatening
- Opiate withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable but is not typically life threatening
- Cocaine and amphetamine withdrawal are similarly not life threatening
Etiology
- Chronic exposure to certain drugs cause adaptive changes in the CNS
- Withdrawal syndromes occur when the constant presence of drug is removed or reduced and the adaptive changes persist
- Tolerance occurs when increasing amounts of drug are required to achieve a given response
- Withdrawal and tolerance are distinct entities
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