What do withdrawals mean

More severe symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, delirium may also occur in some instances. The type of drug you were taking, the amount of time you were taking it, and the dosage you were taking can all have an effect on the type and severity of the symptoms you experience.

While the physical symptoms of withdrawal might last only a few days or a week, the psychological withdrawal, such as depression or dysphoria , can last much longer. People may recognize symptoms of withdrawal when they stop taking or cut back on a substance. Missing your usual morning cup of coffee, for example, might result in symptoms of caffeine withdrawal such as fatigue, headache, and irritability.

Symptoms of withdrawal are an indication of dependence on a substance. Your doctor may be able to help if you are having trouble managing your symptoms and provide medical supervision to ensure your safety as you detox from a substance. Your doctor will also be able to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are due to withdrawal or if they are the result of another condition.

The body and brain work to maintain a state of balance known as homeostasis. Taking a substance changes that balance, so your body has to take steps to adjust including changing the levels of certain neurotransmitters. These substances act on your brain's reward system, triggering the release of chemicals. When you regularly take a substance for a period of time, your body may build a tolerance and dependence on that substance. Tolerance means that it takes larger doses of the substance to achieve the same effects that you initially experienced, while dependence means that your body requires the substance in order to avoid experiencing withdrawal effects.

If you abruptly stop or decrease your intake of the substance, your body is once again thrown off balance and symptoms of withdrawal may result. Such symptoms are often both physical and mental, and can potentially be dangerous depending on the type of drug. Withdrawal symptoms are often the opposite of the effects of the substance. For example, alcohol is a depressant, so if you suddenly stop consuming alcohol, you might experience symptoms of overstimulation such as anxiety or restlessness.

The specific withdrawal symptoms you experience depends on the type of drug you were taking. There are a number of different drug types that can result in withdrawal, including the following:. The following are some examples of specific substances that may lead to withdrawal and the expected duration of those symptoms:. Treatment for withdrawal includes support, care, and medications that can ease symptoms and prevent possible complications.

With some substances, people are able to stop their use abruptly and manage their withdrawal symptoms on their own. For example, a person may be able to quit caffeine without assistance and cope with the unpleasant symptoms on their own until they pass.

But abruptly quitting substances such as benzodiazepines or alcohol can be potentially dangerous, so always consult your doctor to come up with a detox plan. Medically-assisted withdrawal can ensure that you are safe and help to minimize unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The medications your doctor may prescribe to help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal will vary depending on the type of substance you were taking. Some medications that are used to treat various types of withdrawal include:.

Other medications may also be used to manage specific withdrawal symptoms. From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. Style: MLA. Kids Definition of withdrawal. Medical Definition of withdrawal. Legal Definition of withdrawal. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary. Test your vocabulary with our question quiz! Love words? Need even more definitions? Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Silent Letters When each letter can be seen but not heard.

Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'? Banks assess early withdrawal penalties proportional to the time an investor must leave the money in the account, which means a longer-term CD gets a higher penalty. Retirement Planning. Roth IRA. Your Privacy Rights.

To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes.

Your Money. Personal Finance. Your Practice. Popular Courses. Personal Finance Banking. What Is a Withdrawal? Key Takeaways A withdrawal involves removing funds from a bank account, savings plan, pension or trust. Some accounts don't function like simple bank accounts and carry fees for the early withdrawal of funds. Both certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts deal with withdrawal penalties if the accounts are withdrawn before the stipulated time.