Offer accurate, realistic information about drugs and withdrawal symptoms to help alleviate anxiety and fears.ĭo not try to engage the patient in counselling or other psychological therapy at this stage. Patients in withdrawal may be feeling anxious or scared. Physical exercise may prolong withdrawal and make withdrawal symptoms worse. There is no evidence that physical exercise is helpful for WM. Patients in withdrawal should not be forced to do physical exercise. Offer patients opportunities to engage in meditation or other calming practices. Patients should be allowed to sleep or rest in bed if they wish, or to do moderate activities such as walking. Nurses, who are responsible for monitoring patients in withdrawal, dispensing medications as directed by the doctor and providing the patient with information about withdrawal. Providing withdrawal management in a way that reduces the discomfort of patients and shows empathy for patients can help to build trust between patients and treatment staff of closed settings. Rather, withdrawal management is an important first step before a patient commences psychosocial treatment. It is unrealistic to think that withdrawal management will lead to sustained abstinence. It is very common for people who complete withdrawal management to relapse to drug use. Patients who are opioid dependent and consent to commence methadone maintenance treatment do not require WM they can be commenced on methadone immediately (see opioid withdrawal protocol for more information). Refer to the patient's assessment to determine if he or she is dependent and requires WM. People who are not dependent on drugs will not experience withdrawal and hence do not need WM. Withdrawal management (WM) refers to the medical and psychological care of patients who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms as a result of ceasing or reducing use of their drug of dependence.