Addiction vs Dependence: Understanding the Differences

For more information about addiction, talk with a healthcare professional or contact a local rehab center for guidance on the best option for a successful recovery. Some people do well at home with regular doctor visits and support groups. And sometimes it takes more than one type of treatment to be successful. If you develop a tolerance to a substance, it becomes less effective for you. For example, if you take a sedative to sleep, it may work very well at the first dose.

• Similarly, a person can have a physical dependence on a drug without feeling compelled to use it.
• At this point, the body begins to recognize the drug itself as it has been taken numerous times.
• This can develop due to pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic reasons, which will be discussed below.
• These clinics are usually staffed with a team of doctors and nurses who have experience with addiction and drug withdrawal.

CONSULTING SERVICES

Physiological dependence is very common and can occur with many different kinds of substances, including those considered to be medications. The purposeful use of the term “Addictive Disorders” in the naming of this chapter was primarily due to the addition of “gambling disorder” to the DSM, a non-substance-related disorder. And here, too, among the committee members, the decision to introduce the term “addictive” into the DSM-5 was arrived at through disagreements and non-consensus. However, the APA explains that as the brain and body adapt to the effects of the substance, the person needs to consume more and more of it to achieve the same effect. This leads to a cycle of addiction and dependence that contributes to substance use disorder.

How Does Stigma Affect People with Addiction?

Seeking professional help is a critical step in addressing opioid-related issues and finding the right support and treatment. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) outlines specific criteria for diagnosing OUD, emphasizing behavioral and psychological aspects of opioid misuse. Yes, there is a close relationship between opioid dependence and tolerance.

The Experience Blog

For this person to continue feeling that same high, they will have to take higher and higher doses of that prescription drug. When someone takes increasingly higher doses, they may develop a physical or psychological dependence or addiction, and they will have a higher risk of overdose. SUD can have devastating, life-long consequences if not addressed.

People Also Ask

Alcohol and drug treatment centers are well-equipped to assess your substance use and provide tailored, individualized recovery plans. Below is a list of the most common forms of substance abuse treatment programs and what they entail. Ultimately, the difference is that addiction is a mental health disease, whereas tolerance and dependence are physical responses to drug abuse. Treatment of dependence and addiction requires specialized medical interventions and rehabilitation to prevent relapses. Dependence is a common and natural outcome of using certain drugs over time, but it is important to distinguish it from addiction.

This change also provided clarity, since previously, the definition of dependence was addiction vs dependence narrower and only referred to physiological dependence. The differences between substance abuse, dependence, and addiction can be difficult to define. If you’re concerned about your drug use and whether it’s crossing the line towards addiction, an understanding of these terms can help.

The desire for acceptance or the presence of unhealthy habits within our close circles can nudge us toward dependence or addiction. However, it’s important to understand that they’re not the same thing. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.

Symptoms a Person Is Substance Dependent

Unlike tolerance, which focuses on how much of the substance you need to feel its effect, physical dependence happens when your body starts to rely on the drug. If you were to suddenly stop using it, you would likely experience some harsh symptoms. Dependence is defined as a physical condition in which a user’s body has adapted to, and become reliant on, the presence of a drug. When a person stops taking that drug suddenly, they will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance is defined as the capacity to endure pain, hardship, or continued subjection to something, such as a drug.