ABSTRACT
Continued administration of drugs of abuse may lead to physical dependence, which is closely related to toler ance. Often, the terms drug dependence, drug abuse, and drug addiction are used interchangeably. Dependence can either be physical, associated with intense physical discomfort upon the discontinuation of the drug, or psy chological, associated with an uncontrolled pattern of use despite adverse consequences. All the narcotics and sedative-hypnotics produce both physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence refers to an alteration of the normal functions of the body necessitating the con tinued presence of a drug to prevent the withdrawal or abstinence syndrome. The abstinence syndrome then is another facet of the drug abuser’s problems that may be seen by emergency department personnel. Although the withdrawal syndrome from narcotics may be dramatic and temporarily disabling, it represents the least lifethreatening or permanently disabling danger when com pared with withdrawal from the sedative-hypnotics (1).
