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Withdrawal, Drug Updated 12/2010

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Etiology

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Essential Workup
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Pre-hospital
  • Initial Stabilization
  • ED Treatment
  • Medication (Drugs)
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
The following is an excerpt....
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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