A Fine Distinction: Withdrawal vs. Discontinuation

In my line of work as an acupuncturist, I encounter many patients that have been on specific pharmaceuticals for years and feel trapped into taking them for fear of what will happen when they stop. So I find the following description to be food for thought.



Ninan: First of all, I think, one should distinguish what is a withdrawal syndrome from what we would call discontinuation symptoms. Withdrawal is traditionally associated with medicines that one has got physiologically dependent on. And there is a whole set of not only symptoms, but physiological changes that occur that can be potentially dangerous.

You see that with alcohol, you see that with benzodiapams, the anti-anxiety and sleep medications that can cause physiological dependence. And you see that with pain medications, particularly opiates and that class of medications. So, those can be medically problematic and potentially dangerous in some people.

We should distinguish that from discontinuation symptoms, where those medical risks are not present. And these are not medicines that you become physiologically dependent on, but you can get adaptive changes that have occurred, that then the body and the brain needs to readapt to not having those medications on board.

Follow the link for more of the interview.

http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/withdrawal-discontinuation-different-animal/

http://snipurl.com/2zgid

BTW when you follow the link to pharmalot be sure to take a look at the comments, they are quite thoughtful and offer a variety of informed perspectives.