If a person who is dependent stops taking a psychoactive drug, what may occur?

• A. They immediately regain normal function
• B. They may experience withdrawal symptoms
• C. They will become more immune to the drug
• D. They experience no effects

Answer: (B)

When someone is physically dependent on a psychoactive drug, their body has adapted to the drug’s presence. Stopping use disrupts that new balance, so the body must readjust its chemistry and systems. That readjustment shows up as withdrawal symptoms—felt as physical and psychological distress such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, sweating, nausea, insomnia, headaches, muscle aches, and in severe cases seizures or delirium, depending on the substance and the person. This is why stopping a dependent user doesn’t return them to normal function right away; the body is entering a withdrawal phase while it tries to regain balance without the drug.