withdrawal symptoms, the unpleasant, sometimes life-threatening physiological changes that occur when some drugs are withdrawn after prolonged, regular use. The effects may occur after use of an opioid, antipsychotic, stimulant, sedative-hypnotic, alcohol, corticosteroid, or other substance to which the person has become physiologically or psychologically dependent or addicted. Other drug therapy may be used to relieve symptoms of withdrawal, such as methadone, used for heroin withdrawal, or chlordiazepoxide, used for alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can also be managed by gradually reducing the drug dose over time, as with the tapering of corticosteroids.
