MEDizzy - A 41-year-old man decided to stop smoking cigarettes and

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Drugs of Abuse

A 41-year-old man decided to stop smoking cigarettes and asked his family physician about a possible withdrawal syndrome. He had been smoking two packs of cigarettes daily for 24 years. Which of the following are the withdrawal symptoms the man was most likely to experience?

ExplanationUpon sudden cessation of smoking tobacco, individuals who smoke 20 or more cigarettes daily develop an abstinence syndrome, which is usually not severe. It s main features are • Irritability and restlessness (the most common symptoms) • Craving for cigarettes (usually intense and persistent ) • Insomnia • Fatigue • Difficulty in concentrating • Dysphoric, anxious, or depressed mood • Cough, dry throat , nasal drip • Constipation, stomach pain • Decreased heart rate, hypotension • Increased appetite and weight gain