Detox Substance Withdrawal Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which symptom is characteristic of opioid withdrawal but NOT alcohol withdrawal?
- Goosebumps (piloerection) and diarrhea (Correct answer)
- Seizures
- Hypertension
- Tremors
Correct answer: Goosebumps (piloerection) and diarrhea
Piloerection ('goosebumps') and diarrhea are hallmark signs of opioid withdrawal, distinct from alcohol withdrawal which features seizures and DTs.
Question 2: What is the timeline for peak benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms from short-acting agents like lorazepam?
- 1–4 days after last dose (Correct answer)
- Immediately within 1 hour of last dose
- 2–4 weeks after last dose
- 6 months after cessation
Correct answer: 1–4 days after last dose
Short-acting benzodiazepine withdrawal peaks within 1–4 days due to the rapid elimination of these agents from the body.
Question 3: What is 'post-acute withdrawal syndrome' (PAWS) in the context of substance recovery?
- Prolonged neurological and psychological symptoms lasting weeks to months after acute detox (Correct answer)
- The first 24 hours of withdrawal
- A complication exclusive to stimulant users
- A medication side effect unique to methadone
Correct answer: Prolonged neurological and psychological symptoms lasting weeks to months after acute detox
PAWS refers to persistent cognitive, emotional, and sleep disturbances that continue long after acute physical withdrawal resolves.
Question 4: Which stimulant withdrawal symptom is medically managed with close monitoring but rarely life-threatening?
- Hypersomnia, depression, and intense cravings (Correct answer)
- Seizures
- Delirium tremens
- Respiratory arrest
Correct answer: Hypersomnia, depression, and intense cravings
Cocaine and methamphetamine withdrawal typically cause profound fatigue, depression, and cravings rather than life-threatening seizures.
Question 5: What is the medical term for the physical and psychological discomfort that drives compulsive substance use to relieve withdrawal?
- Negative reinforcement withdrawal cycle (Correct answer)
- Positive reinforcement craving loop
- Physical dependence abstinence syndrome
- Reward deficiency syndrome
Correct answer: Negative reinforcement withdrawal cycle
The negative reinforcement cycle describes how substance use is maintained by its ability to relieve the aversive state of withdrawal, not just produce pleasure.
Question 6: Cannabis withdrawal in the DSM-5 is characterized by which symptom cluster?
- Irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and decreased appetite within 1 week of cessation (Correct answer)
- Hallucinations and seizures within 6 hours of last use
- Euphoria and increased appetite for the first 48 hours
- No recognized withdrawal syndrome
Correct answer: Irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and decreased appetite within 1 week of cessation
DSM-5 formally recognizes cannabis withdrawal as a syndrome featuring irritability, sleep disruption, anxiety, and appetite changes appearing within days of stopping.
Detox Substance Withdrawal Management 1
Which symptom is characteristic of opioid withdrawal but NOT alcohol withdrawal?