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substance withdrawal

a syndrome that develops after cessation of prolonged, heavy consumption of a substance. Symptoms vary by substance but generally include physiological, behavioral, and cognitive manifestations, such as nausea and vomiting, insomnia, mood alterations, and anxiety. DSM–IV–TR identifies six drug classes associated with withdrawal: alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, opioids, and sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics. DSM–5 lists tobacco in place of nicotine and further identifies caffeine and cannabis as being associated with a withdrawal syndrome.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

life review

life review

the process whereby individuals, especially older adults, reflect upon and analyze past life experiences. Life review, or analytical reminiscence, is often made use of in counseling older adults with symptoms of mild depression or people of any age with terminal illness, sometimes as an adjunct to psychotherapy. [defined in 1961 by U.S. gerontologist and psychiatrist Robert N. Butler (1927–2010)]