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Chemically Dependent

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 24, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Chemical dependency occurs when a individual has formed a physical or psychological addiction or habituation to mood or mind-altering chemicals such as alcohol or drugs.
Also Known As: Addiction.
Common Misspellings: Chemically dependant
Examples:
He experienced withdrawal symptoms because he had become chemically dependent upon alcohol.

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