Withdrawal symptoms cravings

Given the importance of craving, withdrawal symptoms, and maintenance treatment in the withdrawal process, the effect of amfebutamone on these processes needs to be systematically evaluated. 

The pharmacodynamic effects of ethanol are complex, and any attempt to link its actions to specific neurotransmitters or isolated brain regions is simplistic. A complicated neural network involved in the actions of ethanol accounts for its reinforcing, intoxicating, and abstinence effects. At the present time, use of medications that target neurotransmitters and neuromodulators affected by ethanol represents a reasonable strategy for the development of pharmacotherapies that reduce the reinforcing effects of alcohol and the craving and withdrawal symptoms that commonly occur in the context of alcohol dependence. 

When patients elect detoxification from maintenance, a very gradual reduction of dosage is preferred, with careful monitoring of drug craving and withdrawal symptoms. Three to 6 months is recommended for most elective detoxifications. As many as one-third of methadone maintenance clients have been found to have a marked fear of detoxification (Milby et al. 1986). 

Withdrawal from nicotine is treated in the outpatient setting. Symptomatic detoxification from nicotine is achieved with any single or combination of NRTs. Additional nonnicotine medications such as bupropion, nortriptyline, and clonidine may be helpful to reduce craving and various other withdrawal symptoms. Including a behavioral therapy component increases abstinence rates when combined with pharmacologic treatment. 

Abrupt cessation results in onset of withdrawal symptoms usually within 24 hours, which include anxiety, cravings, difficulty concentrating, frustration, irritability, hostility, insomnia, and restlessness. 

Once a methamphetamine addict stops taking the drug, the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and include depression and anxiety, increased appetite, fatigue, paranoia, irritability, aggressive behavior, and intense craving for the drug. Some of these symptoms can be eased with sedative drugs like Valium or antidepressants like Prozac . 

Collectively, evidence strongly suggests that alterations in monoamine systems and their targets mediate the acute effects of cocaine, and that changes in these systems mirror the addiction, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. 

Bupropion decreased reports of craving and reactivity to nicotine associated stimuli, withdrawal symptoms... 

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