- Last edited on March 29, 2021
Stimulant Withdrawal
Primer
Stimulant Withdrawal is a withdrawal syndrome that develops within a few hours to several days after the cessation of (or marked reduction in) stimulant use (generally high dose) that has been prolonged.
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Criterion A
Cessation of (or reduction in) prolonged amphetamine-type substance, cocaine, or other stimulant use.
Criterion B
Dysphoric mood and at least 2
of the following physiological changes, developing within a few hours
to several days
after Criterion A
:
- Fatigue
- Vivid, unpleasant dreams
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Increased appetite
- Psychomotor retardation or agitation
Criterion C
The signs or symptoms in Criterion B
cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Criterion D
The signs or symptoms are not attributable to another medical condition and are not better explained by another mental disorder, including intoxication or withdrawal from another substance.
Specifiers
Specifier
Specify the specific substance that causes the withdrawal syndrome (i.e. - amphetamine-type substance, cocaine, or other stimulant).
Signs and Symptoms
Differential Diagnosis
- Stimulant use disorder and other stimulant-induced disorders
- Stimulant withdrawal is different from stimulant use disorder and from the other stimulant-induced disorders (e.g. - stimulant-induced intoxication delirium, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder) because the symptoms of withdrawal predominate the clinical presentation and are severe enough to warrant independent clinical attention.