Withdrawals

Ok, I was asked this question, and although I have gone through it, can't define what it REALLY is.
What is "Withdrawal"
Thanks,
Shelly

[Angel929]

I always thought it had something to do with your body reacting to a lack of something.  Maybe something that your body is use to consuming, and all of a sudden when it does not have it, it goes into shock.  Dont really know if that is accurate, but a guess.  I am interested in hearing what others have to say about it.

[Avalancheblanche]

Your body is real mad at you for taking something away that it liked.  Even though it was not good for you.  Now it has to get used to functioning without and it decides to punish you by giving you the chills, sweats, diahreah, rls, extreme sadness.....That is the Avalanche definition.  Hope that helps!

[Avalancheblanche]

Your body is real mad at you for taking something away that it liked.  Even though it was not good for you.  Now it has to get used to functioning without and it decides to punish you by giving you the chills, sweats, diahreah, rls, extreme sadness.....That is the Avalanche definition.  Hope that helps!

[Amanda6900]

I thinks its levels of the drug in your system slowly leaving your body and your body is reacting to that. Gosh! that was hard

[worried878]

and it is like your body depended on that drug and you took it away...system shock...i think it is your body adapting to its new set of circumstances,,,,no pills

[toxictome]

withdrawal- a common response to a physical danger or severe stress characterized by a state of apathy, lethargy, depression, retreat into oneself

withdrawal symptoms--the unpleasant, sometimes life threatening physiologic changes that occur when some drugs are withdrawn after prolonged regular use. The effects may occur following use of a narcotic, tranquilizer,stimulant, barbituate, alcohol, or other substance to which the person has become psychologically or physiologically addicted.

From my medical dictionary!

[Avalancheblanche]

Man, that definition.......unpleasant would be an understatement!
Thanks Dr. Toxic!  

[Robin6298]

The withdrawal process all happens in our brain.  When opiates, benzos, etc, are used for extended periods, it slowly deadens the endorphin receptors in our brains.  That's why we need more and more of the drug over time to get the same 'feeling'.  Our brain stops making our natural endorphins when we use, because those are artificially inroduced by the drug.  When we stop the drug, our brains suddenly have 'nothing', as it is no longer making it's own endorphins, and it is no longer is getting the drug.  As a result, the 'deadened' receptors 'wake-up', and want the drug.  They all go bezerk and into overdrive.  All the awful physical/mental w/d symptoms we feel are the result.  Everything we feel during w/d is originating from within our 'awakening' brains.  I read this from a very technical medical site, and I hope that I simplified it OK.  :)

[GoingToMakeIt]

w/d is the body saying no no to the owner of the body saying yes yes.

[whathefu_k]

I'm not sure how to exactly define it. But I did notice one thing: I could never do it again. There is a place that I got to, that I realized, if I have to go through this again, I'm not going to be able to do it- or make it- next time. I think that is the point of no return.
Much praise to those who are tuffing it out right now
God bless

[toxictome]

In regards to the word......unpleasant.....obviously the person writing the definitions for  the medical dictionary is NOT an addict!!!  LOL