584 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Functional Consequences of 
Other (or Unknown) Substance Withdrawal
Withdrawal from any substance may have serious consequences, including physical signs
and symptoms (e.g., malaise, vi tal sign changes, abdominal distress, headache), intense
drug craving, anxiety, depre ssion, agitation, psychotic symp toms, or cognitive impairments.
These consequences may lead to problems such  as dysfunction at work, problems in in-
terpersonal relationships, failure to fulfill role  obligations, traffic accidents, fighting, high-
risk behavior (e.g., having unprotected sex), suicide attempts, and substance or medica-
tion overdose. The pattern of consequences will vary with the particular substance.
Differential Diagnosis
Dose reduction after extended dosing, but no t meeting the criteria for other (or un-
known) substance withdrawal. The individual used other (or unknown) substances,
but the dose that was used was insufficient to  produce symptoms that meet the criteria re-
quired for the diagnosis.
Substance withdrawal or other substance/medication-induced disorders. Familiar
substances may be sold in the black market as novel products, and individuals may expe-
rience withdrawal when discontinuing those substances. History, toxicology screens, or
chemical testing of the substance itself may help to identify it. 
Different types of other (or unknown) substance–related disorders. Episodes of other
(or unknown) substance withdrawal may occur during, but are distinct  from, other (or un-
known) substance use disorder, unspecified other (or unknown) substance–related disor-
der, and unspecified other (or unkn own) substance–induced disorders.
Other toxic, metabolic, traumatic, neoplastic, vascular, or infectious disorders that im-
pair brain function and cognition. Numerous neurological and other medical condi-