Which statement is NOT a withdrawal symptom of physical dependence?

• A. Vomiting
• B. Tremors
• C. Insomnia
• D. Increased energy

Answer: (D)

Withdrawal symptoms arise when someone who has become physically dependent stops using a drug. They reflect the body's attempt to reestablish balance without the substance and are often opposite to the drug’s usual effects. Vomiting occurs as the gastrointestinal tract and autonomic systems react during withdrawal. Tremors show up from increased neural excitability as the nervous system readjusts. Insomnia appears as sleep regulation changes rebound after the drug’s effects wear off. Increased energy, however, does not fit withdrawal—energy tends to drop during withdrawal, not rise (in stimulant withdrawal, fatigue and sleepiness are typical). So the statement about increased energy is not a withdrawal symptom.