Question

1.

1. discuss the withdrawal symptoms associated with an imaginary drug. Include all below
   1. Psychological dependence
   2. Physical dependence
      1. Withdrawal syndrome
         1. Spontaneous withdrawal
         2. Precipitated withdrawal
   3. Cross dependence
   4. Maintenance therapy
   5. Detoxification
   6. Effect of drug half-life and antagonists on withdrawal symptoms
   7. Relative severity and danger of withdrawal effects

Answer 1

a. Psychological dependence:

Psychological dependence is a state that involves emotional, motivational withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and anhedonia, upon cessation of drug use or certain behaviors. It develops through frequent exposure to a psychoactive substance or behavior, though behavioral dependence is less talked about.

e.g, Nicotine withdrawal

b. Physical dependence:

Physical dependence is a physical condition caused by chronic use of tolerance forming drug in which abrupt or gradual withdrawal causes unpleasant physical symptoms.

  1. Withdrawal syndrome:

Withdrawal syndrome is also called discontinuation syndrome. It is a state of symptoms occurring in discontinuation or dosage reduction of some types of medications and recreational drugs. The risk of discontinuation syndrome occurring increases with dosage and length of use.

e.g, Sedative and hypnotic agents.

2. Spontaneous withdrawal:

Spontaneous withdrawal occurs when a patient who is physiologically dependent upon certain agents reduces or stops using it abruptly. Signs and symptoms include drug craving, anxiety, restlessness, gastrointestinal distress, and tachycardia.

e.g, Opioid agents

3. Precipitated withdrawal:

Precipitated withdrawal occurs when an antagonist or partial agonist is administered to a patient dependent on full agonist drugs.

e.g, buprenorphine for opioids.

c. Cross dependence:

When one drug is able to suppress the withdrawal signs and symptoms resulting from discontinued repeated administration of another drug, cross dependence is said to occur.

e.g, Methadone can be used to suppress withdrawal in persons physical dependent on heroin.

d. Maintenance therapy:

Maintenance therapy is a medical therapy that is designed to help primary treatment succeed.

  e.g, Chemotherapy given in cancer

e.Detoxification:

Detoxification is the physiological or medical removal of toxic substances from living organisms including the human body, which is mainly carried out by the liver.

F. Effect of drug half-life and antagonists:

Half-life determines the onset and duration of symptoms.

  e.g, withdrawal symptoms peak of the heroine is 36-72 hours and lasts for 7 -10 days.

Antagonists block the opioids, allowing for some opioid effect of its own to suppress withdrawal symptoms.

g. The severity of withdrawal symptoms:

Mild anxiety

headache

insomnia

tremor

palpitations

gastrointestinal disturbance

impaired attention

visual or auditory hallucinations

seizure which may be fatal in some cases,