Withdrawal (Addiction: Potions of Healing)

Causes

When a creature becomes dependent on Potions of Healing to keep themselves healthy (e.g. if they have a degenerative or persistent condition for which potions are effective), their bodies can become reliant on the potions to keep them alive. Organs and white blood cells, in particular, see a marked decrease in efficiency. A creature usually must treat both the underlying condition as well as the side-effects of this addiction.
In addition, the efficacy of potions tends to degrade in the long term. For some, their addiction and perceived need for the benefits of a potion become so great, and their tolerance so high, that a distillation of Potions of Healing down into a fine powder is performed. This distillation usually takes five days by someone trained in the requisite alchemy, and can be performed using either a Potion of Healing as the base or with the raw components with which to make a Potion of Healing. These components can be found in most sufficiently large towns for half the price of a Potion of Healing. This powder can be either smoked or injected directly into the bloodstream.

Symptoms

Over-ingestion of Potions of Healing does not carry with it any intrinsic symptoms. The potions themselves are not psychoactive (save, perhaps, for the obvious dopamine hits and feelings of vigor or renewed health) and hence there are no symptoms of regular intake at the appropriate dosage by other creatures.
However, the dosage required steadily rises. The user is usually unable to match the quantity their body requires, which leads to their body going into withdrawal. Withdrawal generally starts with a mild headache, sweating, and a general feeling of malaise. The body has become lazy, and core systems which are needed to maintain all aspects of physical health have become lax at keeping up with their duties. As the withdrawal progresses, the user suffers acute gastrointestinal distress, and may experience visual hallucinations.
A creature must consume their body's necessary dosage level at least once in between each long rest. If a creature takes a long rest without doing so, their hit point maximum decreases by one (roll of a) hit die. If a creature resumes their consumption of Potions of Healing, their hit point maximum increases by one (roll of a) hit die each time they take a long rest.

Treatment

There is no known mundane (i.e., non-magical) treatment for withdrawals. A user must maintain their addiction or likely die from their withdrawals. It is highly inadvisable to become reliant on them. A magical cure is possible, but as yet untested.

Type

Chemical Compound