Withdrawal | |
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Classification and external resources | |
ICD-10 | F10..3-F19..3 |
ICD-9 | 292.0 |
eMedicine | article/819502 |
MeSH | D013375 |
Drug withdrawal is the group of symptoms that occur upon the fast discontinuation or decrease in intake of medications or recreational drugs.[1]
In order to experience the symptoms of withdrawal, one must have first developed a form of drug addiction, which may occur as physical dependence, psychological dependence, or both.
Symptoms can also occur when people stop taking drugs whicch they had taken for a long time. That way, if someone switches from one drug to another one (for example to reduce side effects), this change needs to be planned carefully with the aid of a physician.