withdrawal

Pronunciation: with-draw′ăl

Definition:

1. The act of removal or retreat.
2. A psychological and/or physical syndrome caused by the abrupt cessation of the use of a drug in an habituated person.
3. The therapeutic process of discontinuing a drug to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal (2).
4. A pattern of behavior observed in schizophrenia and depression, characterized by a pathologic retreat from interpersonal contact and social involvement and leading to self-preoccupation.

See Also: withdrawal symptoms, under symptom, withdrawal syndrome

Search Stedman's Medical Dictionary