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Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal: An Insight

CPDTime.
9m of CPD
Withdrawal is the process of cutting out or cutting back on alcohol or drugs after a period of prolonged or excessive use. This can lead to a variety of symptoms. A common example of withdrawal is feeling a headache slowly develop when you forgo your morning coffee.

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What is this article about?

Prolonged or excessive use of a substance can lead to tolerance and physical dependence. This process in itself is complex and depends on various physical, environmental, social and psychological factors. It’s this dependence that the body has on the substance that then leads to withdrawal if the substance is abruptly stopped or reduced.

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Ausmed
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Ausmed’s editorial team is committed to providing high-quality, well-researched and reputable education to our users, free of any commercial bias or conflict of interest. All education produced by Ausmed is developed in consultation with healthcare professionals and undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure the relevancy of all healthcare information and updates to changes in practice. If you have identified an issue with the education offered by Ausmed or wish to submit feedback to Ausmed's editorial team, please email ausmed@ausmed.com.au with your concerns.
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What do others think?

403 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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SK
Sophie Kirkman
23 Jul 2021
Good distinction between psychological and physical dependency. Importance of safety in withdrawal needs emphasis; I’ve known unsupervised alcohol withdrawal to cause serious seizures, which could have fatal consequences. Harm minimisation is well covered. References could’ve been stronger, but the material is remains very sound.
AB
Amany Baalash
08 May 2021
It seems precise, fruitful and helpful.
Portrait of Shreya Neupane
Shreya Neupane
09 Apr 2023
Good resource
MG
Mardi Griffin
28 Dec 2022
Great
HP
Helen Pace
18 Dec 2022
Good brief reading. Offers links for further links and understanding
CD
Carolyn Daly
18 Jan 2023
Registered Nurse
Well presented.
IH
Irene Henry
08 Sep 2022
Registered Nurse
Very good
BH
Barbara hattam
27 May 2021
An interesting read
VC
Vicki cooper
25 Dec 2022
Registered Nurse
good
EM
Eileen mckeown
11 Jan 2023
Great reading
4.3 / 5
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