u/LillieBogart

I'm tapering while dealing with (milder) protracted withdrawal from an earlier fast taper. I also had protracted withdrawal for a year and a half in 2005-2006, which eventually went away when I reinstated. I am wondering about delayed withdrawal effects. I experienced this in 2005, and I know many other people have experienced this, both people I know in real life and people I see in the forums. People quit the drug and have a few months where they feel fine, maybe after a few acute withdrawal symptoms that go away. Then, three or four months out, they are suddenly slammed with protracted withdrawal. I'm not talking about relapse--these are physical symptoms, although psychological symptoms happen too. Does anyone know why this happens? What is the biological mechanism at work? If it's about the serotonin receptors needing to upregulate, why would you feel fine for MONTHS and only then develop problems? I am not talking about prozac with the long half-life. I'm sorry if this has been addressed somewhere already and I missed it. I'm curious about the mechanism, and obviously scared that it will happen to me again.

Grrrr. Very frustrated. I know what the answer is already but just wondering if anyone sees this situation differently. I have a student who has done A work all semester. Creative thinking, solid attendance, overall on track to get an A in the class. BUT he turned in a paper 1 day late, and with a zero on the paper he gets a B. No extension was requested or justification for the lateness offered. In the past, I would just accept late work with penalties. Problem is, this semester I instituted a "no late work" policy because it was getting to be the Wild West around here--nothing was coming in on time. The new policy has basically solved the problem. If I make an exception for him, I am violating my own policy and setting a bad example. So he gets his zero and a B in the class. Right? Why do I feel so guilty about this?! Damn it, it's a good paper. Not even 24 hours late.

UPDATE: Thanks to all who responded. As I said, I knew the answer already (stick to the syllabus), but it is comforting to have that conviction reinforced by so many good arguments here. Situations like this fill me with regret, but I enacted this strict policy for a good reason. The former, more lenient one was being abused. Overall it has been a net positive--papers are mostly on time, courses run more smoothly, my moral is better. Onward and upward, I suppose.