The<unk>  include drug dependence and neurotoxicity as well as the possibility of adverse<unk>  on cognitive function, physical health, and mental health.<unk> -term<unk>  is sometimes described as<unk>  not shorter than three months.<unk> s are generally<unk> ve when<unk> d therapeutically in the short term, but even then the risk of dependency can be significantly high. There are significant physical, mental and social risks associated with the<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s. Although anxiety can temporarily increase as a withdrawal symptom, there is evidence that a reduction or withdrawal from<unk> s can lead in the<unk>  run to a reduction of anxiety symptoms. Due to these increasing physical and mental symptoms from<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s, slow withdrawal is recommended for<unk> -term<unk> rs. Not everyone, however, experiences problems with<unk> -term<unk> . Some of the symptoms that could possibly occur as a result of a withdrawal from<unk> s after<unk> -term<unk>  include emotional clouding, flu-like symptoms, suicide, nausea, headaches, dizziness, irritability, lethargy, sleep problems, memory impairment, personality changes, aggression, depression, social deterioration as well as employment difficulties, while others never have any side<unk>  from<unk> -term<unk> <unk> . Abruptly or rapidly stopping<unk> s can be dangerous; when withdrawing a gradual reduction in dosage is recommended, under professional supervision. While<unk> s are highly<unk> ve in the short term, adverse<unk>  associated with<unk> -term<unk> , including impaired cognitive abilities, memory problems, mood swings, and overdoses when combined with other drugs, may make the risk-benefit ratio unfavourable. In addition,<unk> s have reinforcing properties in some individuals and thus are considered to be addictive drugs, especially in individuals that have a "drug-seeking" behavior; further, a physical dependence can develop after a few weeks or months of<unk> . Many of these adverse<unk>  associated with<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s begin to show improvements three to six months after withdrawal. Other concerns about the<unk>  associated with<unk> -term<unk> <unk> , in some, include dose escalation,<unk> <unk>  disorder, tolerance and<unk>  dependence and<unk>  withdrawal problems. Both physiological tolerance and dependence can be associated with worsening the adverse<unk>  associated with<unk> s. Increased risk of death has been associated with<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s in several studies; however, other studies have not found increased mortality. Due to conflicting findings in studies regarding<unk> s and increased risks of death including from cancer, further research in<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s and mortality risk has been recommended; most of the available research has been conducted in prescribed<unk> rs, even less is known about illicit misusers. The<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s is controversial and has generated significant debate within the medical profession. Views on the nature and severity of problems with<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s differ from expert to expert and even from country to country; some experts even question whether there is any problem with the<unk> -term<unk>  of<unk> s.
Effects of long-term benzodiazepine use
Short-term effects of alcohol consumption
Long-term effects of cannabis
Acute behavioural disturbance
Sleeping disorders following traumatic brain injury
Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal
Alcohol-related brain damage
Opioid-induced endocrinopathy