In Animal Study, 'Cold Turkey' Withdrawal from Drugs Triggers Mental Decline

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131108112244.htm

Nov. 8, 2013 — Can quitting drugs without treatment trigger a decline in mental health? That appears to be the case in an animal model of morphine addiction. Georgetown University Medical Center researchers say their observations suggest that managing morphine withdrawal could promote a healthier mental state in people.

Over time, drug-abusing individuals often develop mental disorders," says Italo Mocchetti, PhD, a professor of neuroscience. "It's been thought that drug abuse itself contributes to mental decline, but our findings suggest that 'quitting cold turkey' can also lead to damage."

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