This advisory defines protracted withdrawal and identifies specific withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol, opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and benzodiazepines. The advisory also explains how protracted withdrawal differs from acute withdrawal, and gives tips to help clients manage it in recovery.

This manual guides counselors in the use of medications to help clients achieve abstinence from alcohol. It describes how the medications work and whom may benefit. It also presents the side effects of three FDA-approved medications: acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone.