PURPOSE OF REVIEW The demand for treatment for cannabis dependence has grown dramatically. The majority of the people who enter the treatment have difficulty in achieving and maintaining abstinence from cannabis. Understanding the impact of cannabis withdrawal syndrome on quit attempts is of obvious importance. Cannabis, however, has long been considered a 'soft' drug, and many continue to ques...

Introduction: Morphine withdrawal syndrome is mediated via several central and peripheral neurological pathways. In the present study we investigated the role of N-methyl-D aspartic acid (NMDA) glutamate receptor on naloxone-induced withdrawal syndrome in morphine-conditioned mice. Materials and Methods: We designed two separate experiments. In experiment one, 30 male NMRI mice were divide...

Introduction: Some studies indicate changes in the level of thyroid hormones in addicted people. Also, there are some reports concerning the modulation of hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid axis in the context of morphine addiction. In the present study, the effects of thyroid gland activation via the acute and chronic administration of levothyroxine on morphine withdrawal syndrome were investi...

To the Editor—We read with interest “An uncommon adverse effect of levodopa withdrawal in a patient taking antipsychotic medication: neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome” by Man.1 The report was of an 84-year-old man who developed parkinsonismhyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS) due to abrupt withdrawal of levodopa. We encountered another patient in May 2009 who developed PHS due to withdrawal of amantad...

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a significant problem that can complicate underlying disease states and lead to serious clinical consequences. The recognition of the early signs and symptoms of this syndrome, as well as the identification of those at highest risk for developing it, is crucial for effective prevention and management. Multiple pharmacotherapy options exist, and therapy should be g...

AIM To determine the dopaminergic system involvement in precipitated cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome. METHODS The dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 or the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride was administered to rats chronically treated with either delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or vehicle. Subjects were then injected with either SR141716A or vehicle and behavior was observed ...

BACKGROUND: Inhalants are among the most common and dangerous forms of substance use, but very little research on inhalant use disorders exist. Unlike other substances, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) indicates that inhalants do not have an associated withdrawal syndrome among persons who meet criteria for inhalant dependence. METHODS: Using data from the National E...

Previous pharmacological studies have implicated serotonergic brain systems in opiate withdrawal. To test the hypothesis that serotonin (5-HT) has a critical role in the development of opiate withdrawal, we have employed a near-total brain 5-HT system lesion technique (90% depletion) using 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine combined with induction of opiate dependence by implantation of morphine pellets o...

The alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a common management problem in hospital practice for neurologists, psychiatrists and general physicians alike. Although some patients have mild symptoms and may even be managed in the outpatient setting, others have more severe symptoms or a history of adverse outcomes that requires close inpatient supervision and benzodiazepine therapy. Many patients wi...