Discontinuation of benzodiazepines, even after a relatively short duration of treatment, may result in withdrawal symptoms, which are the main sign of physical dependence. The most frequent symptoms of withdrawal are insomnia, gastric problems, tremors,

Psychological dependence is a mental disorder that involves emotional symptoms like anxiety and anhedonia after ceasing prolonged drug use.  It involves a belief that you need the substance to do certain things like sleeping or

If your drug or alcohol use causes significant impairment or distress, you may have a substance use disorder (SUD). Diagnosis usually involves an examination by a psychiatrist, psychologist or a drug counselor, and the most

Drug tolerance describes a user’s reduced reaction to a drug after its repeated use. An increase in dosage may re-amplify the drug’s effect; however, this may also accelerate tolerance, further reducing the drug’s effects.  One

If you are heading into rehab for the very first time, let me give you some advice, and a sense of where to set your expectations over the next 30-90 days.  First off, I’d like

At a gathering of our cohort last night, I found myself irritated by a particular meeting-goer. This was not the first time I have noticed him.  Last night, he was generally rude and incoherent, and