Opioid withdrawal is best described as

Opioid withdrawal is best described as

• A. Physiological response to abrupt cessation after prolonged exposure leading to increased sympathetic nervous system activity.
• B. Ventilatory depression occurs with overdose.
• C. Marked itching due to histamine release.
• D. Sedation and decreased alertness.

Answer: (A)

Opioid withdrawal is a physiological response to abrupt cessation after prolonged exposure, driven by a hyperadrenergic state with increased sympathetic nervous system activity. When opioids are stopped, the body’s adaptations—especially upregulation of endogenous noradrenergic pathways—produce symptoms like sweating, gooseflesh, yawning, tearing, runny nose, tachycardia, hypertension, and GI upset. This contrasts with overdose, where ventilatory depression is the main danger; itching from histamine release is a side effect of opioid administration rather than withdrawal; and sedation with decreased alertness occurs with intoxication, not withdrawal.

Opioid withdrawal is a physiological response to abrupt cessation after prolonged exposure, driven by a hyperadrenergic state with increased sympathetic nervous system activity. When opioids are stopped, the body’s adaptations—especially upregulation of endogenous noradrenergic pathways—produce symptoms like sweating, gooseflesh, yawning, tearing, runny nose, tachycardia, hypertension, and GI upset. This contrasts with overdose, where ventilatory depression is the main danger; itching from histamine release is a side effect of opioid administration rather than withdrawal; and sedation with decreased alertness occurs with intoxication, not withdrawal.