Alcohol withdrawal

Definition

Alcohol withdrawal is a clinically significant cluster of symptoms, behaviours and/or physiological features, varying in degree of severity and duration, that occurs upon cessation or reduction of use of alcohol in individuals who have developed Alcohol dependence or have used alcohol for a prolonged period or in large amounts. Presenting features of Alcohol withdrawal may include autonomic hyperactivity (e.g. tachycardia, hypertension, perspiration), increased hand tremor, nausea, retching or vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, psychomotor agitation, depressed or dysphoric mood, transient visual, tactile or auditory illusions or hallucinations, and distractability. Less commonly, the withdrawal state is complicated by generalised tonic-clonic seizures. The withdrawal state may progress to a very severe form of delirium characterised by confusion and disorientation, delusions, and prolonged visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations. In such cases, a separate diagnosis of Alcohol-induced delirium should also be assigned.

5 subordinate codes

• 6C40.40Alcohol withdrawal, uncomplicated
• 6C40.41Alcohol withdrawal with perceptual disturbances
• 6C40.42Alcohol withdrawal with seizures
• 6C40.43Alcohol withdrawal with perceptual disturbances and seizures
• 4B4ZDiseases of the immune system, unspecified

Nearby in Disorders due to use of alcohol

• 6C40.0Episode of harmful use of alcohol
• 6C40.1Harmful pattern of use of alcohol
• 6C40.2Alcohol dependence
• 6C40.3Alcohol intoxication
• 6C40.5Alcohol-induced delirium
• 6C40.6Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder
• 6C40.7Certain specified alcohol-induced mental or behavioural disorders
• 4B4YOther specified diseases of the immune system