What is the term for the set of symptoms occurring after a drug is discontinued?

• A. Intoxication
• B. Addiction
• C. Withdrawl
• D. Misuse

Answer: (C)

Withdrawal is the set of physical and psychological symptoms that appear when a person stops or reduces a drug after the body has become accustomed to its presence. This happens because regular exposure changes how the body and brain function, so when the drug is no longer there, the body must reestablish balance, leading to symptoms that can include tremors, anxiety, sweating, nausea, and irritability, among others that vary by substance.

This is different from intoxication, which refers to the effects experienced while the drug is active in the system, and from misuse or addiction, which involve patterns of use and dependence rather than the stopping process itself. In some cases, withdrawal can be medically significant and require supervision, depending on the substance and the level of dependence.