Withdrawal signs and symptoms can occur when:

Withdrawal signs and symptoms are a direct result of the body reacting to the absence of a substance that it has become dependent on. When an individual who has been using a substance stops taking it suddenly, the body, having adapted to the presence of that substance, can experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms. These can include anxiety, irritability, nausea, sweating, and tremors, among others.

The phenomenon occurs because the body has gotten used to the functioning that the substance provided, and when that functioning is disrupted, it attempts to regain balance, leading to withdrawal symptoms. Understanding this process is crucial for addiction treatment and management, as recognizing and properly addressing withdrawal can help individuals transition safely away from substance use.

In contrast, increasing a substance, maintaining its use, or combining it with another drug would not typically result in withdrawal symptoms. Instead, they may lead to increased tolerance or different effects based on the substances involved. Thus, acknowledging the role of cessation in the onset of withdrawal is crucial for anyone studying substance use and dependency.