FIGURE 9.1 • Tolerance and Withdrawal Using a see-saw as a metaphor for the body’s response to repeated drug use, this figure illustrates the progression to tolerance and withdrawal: (a) no drug use; (b) an imbalance arises from drug use; (c) the brain and body adapt to the drug, and tolerance begins; (d) more of the drug is taken to overcome tolerance; (e) the brain and body adapt to this higher level of drug use; (f) because of the adaptation, when drug use is discontinued (or reduced) that adaptation creates withdrawal symptoms.

Note: BCR stands for “body’s compensatory response.” Source: Adapted from Goldstein, 1994.