What term describes the unpleasant physical effects experienced when an addict stops using a substance?

The term that describes the unpleasant physical effects encountered when an addict ceases to use a substance is "withdrawal." This phenomenon occurs because the body has become so accustomed to the presence of the substance that its sudden absence triggers a range of physical and psychological symptoms, which can vary in severity depending on the substance and the duration of use.

Withdrawal symptoms can include a variety of issues such as nausea, sweating, shaking, anxiety, and other distressing effects that indicate the body is struggling to readjust to functioning without the substance. This response showcases the physiological dependence that has developed as a result of chronic use.

The other terms, like detox reaction, dependency syndrome, and tolerance, have their specific meanings. Detox reaction typically refers to the process the body undergoes as it clears the substance from its system, while dependency syndrome encapsulates the broader range of symptoms and behaviors associated with substance dependence. Tolerance refers to the body's adaptation to a substance over time, requiring increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effects, but it doesn't directly relate to the experience of stopping the substance. Therefore, withdrawal is the correct term for the unpleasant effects that arise specifically from the discontinuation of substance use.