Drug dependence is not addiction and it matters PMC

This is why recent evidence-based literature clearly defines the difference between addiction and physical dependence in drug use. The National Institute of Drug Abuse defines drug dependence as a physical state in which the body changes to adapt to the drug. Over time, it needs more and more of it to achieve its intended effect (like pain mediation), called ‘tolerance.’ Dependence also leads to temporary physical or mental withdrawal symptoms if the user stops taking the drug. Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner.

A person who is addicted typically struggles to meet work, social, and/or family obligations. Generally, this person will also have built a tolerance to their drug of choice, and experience painful withdrawal symptoms (mental or physical) upon stopping use of it. Addiction can stem from genetic, psychological, environmental, and social factors. Addiction can also be fueled by social and cultural factors like peer pressure, advertising, or easy access to drugs. When addiction to a substance develops, the brain’s reward system is disrupted, prompting powerful craving for drugs or alcohol. Cravings are often accompanied by an array of physical and psychological symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

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It’s a scenario that pits addiction versus abuse or addiction versus dependence. But increasingly in recent years, that view has flip-flopped a bit. A person with an addictive temperament is generally using a drug or alcohol consistently to excess. Over time, addicts start to lose not only their jobs, homes, and money, but also friendships, family relationships, and contact with the normal world. Addicts have a desperate view of the world, in which the only priority is securing the next high.

Keep in mind, a physical dependence is usually a precursor to addiction, so it is important to recognize the signs of both. Addiction treatment typically involves a combination of detoxification, therapy, medication, and support groups. The goal of addiction treatment is not just to stop drug use, but also to help individuals build the skills and strategies they need to maintain sobriety and achieve a fulfilling life in recovery. In order for addiction treatment to be effective, patients must receive treatment for their physical and psychological symptoms. By attending a residential rehab program, you will be able to confront your addiction, learn how to manage your symptoms, and gain life-long support that will be there for you throughout your sobriety.

Drug Dependence vs. Drug Addiction: A Brief History of Medical Terms

When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care. When someone abuses high doses of an addictive substance, they may develop a dependence.

• Perhaps you yourself have become dependent on a particular substance or need help with an addiction that’s gotten out of hand.
• Addiction is a state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol or other drugs.
• Residential treatment will provide you with detox services and therapy, and it will help you create a plan to maintain sobriety long term.
• If you are facing a medical emergency or considering suicide or self harm, please call 911 immediately.

While they might seem interchangeable, drug addiction and dependence are not the same things. They both describe similar unfortunate tendencies to rely on harmful substances like alcohol or opiates. But their exact nature and, by extension, their treatment can differ significantly. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. He works directly with the clients on management of medical issues both related to and separate from their addiction, ensuring comprehensive health care plans that ensure our clients’ chances at recovery.

WHAT IS DEPENDENCE?

Untreated substance use disorders – whether they are mild or severe – can be detrimental to a person’s mental, physical, emotional, social, and even financial health. That is why professional treatment is always recommended, no matter whether a person is dependent on a drug or has a full-blown addiction to it. A substance use disorder, or SUD, is a mental health disorder that develops after prolonged substance abuse. It changes how the brain functions and impairs how a person behaves as a result. A person who has a substance use disorder prioritizes seeking and using the drug above all else, and may act irrationally when they do not have the drug in their system. Addiction is characterized by an inability to stop using a substance, despite the harmful consequences.

Over time, the brain becomes tolerant to the effects of drugs, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can lead to a cycle of drug use that can be difficult to break without professional help. Psychological dependence, on addiction vs dependence the other hand, is treated using behavioral therapies, holistic therapies, and support groups. The goal of these treatments is to help patients identify harmful thoughts or behaviors and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms.

This can lead to traumatic family surveillance and even separation, not surprisingly disproportionately impacting Black, Latinx, and Native American families because of racist implementation in these reporting practices. Dependence commonly occurs with prescription drugs, even when the drugs are taken as instructed. Patients may not even know that they are dependent on their drugs until they visit their doctor https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system-blood-and-urine/ again and tell them that the medication isn’t working. This is common with prescription painkillers and anti-anxiety medication, such as Vicodin and Xanax respectively, which can also be addictive. One of the key challenges of addiction treatment is that it is a chronic and relapsing condition. Even after successful treatment, the risk of relapse remains high, particularly in the early stages of recovery.

• Because of these similarities, it can be hard to tell the difference between addiction and dependence.
• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the leading source for diagnosing and understanding addiction.
• Rehab centers typically use the term “dependence” to describe someone’s psychological and physical loss of control as a result of substance abuse.
• Professional, compassionate support for substance dependence is critical for a thorough recovery.

Today, we’re going to find out why, which begins with a look at the difference between addiction vs. dependence. Cultural and societal factors determine what are acceptable or allowable forms of drug or alcohol use. The question of what type of substance use can be considered normal or acceptable remains controversial. Substance use disorder is caused by multiple factors, including genetic vulnerability, environmental stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems. But which of these factors has the biggest influence in any one person cannot be determined in all cases. Addiction is a health condition in which you have strong cravings for a certain substance.

When they see success in reaching those goals, they want to try again. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors. All of these risks are serious, and proper support is necessary for those struggling with drug dependence. For example, we have long been told that people need to hit “rock bottom” before they’ll get help, but this isn’t true.

From alcohol addiction to prescription drug abuse, there are stages to every kind of addiction. By doing some research, you will find a sea of terms to navigate about the topic and can even find addiction quizzes to complete. These terms may have slightly different meanings and usually correspond to a certain point in someone’s addiction progression. If the drug use causes significant issues in self-control or consideration of consequences, the user is not just dependent but addicted to the drug. When a person feels physically incapable of stopping themselves from taking a drug, that dependence has swung to addiction. In other words, the drug in question begins to change the body’s chemistry, creating a physical dependence, which results in sickness-like symptoms if the drug is no longer in the system.

Most Prescribed Benzodiazepine Patients Experiencing Withdrawal are NOT Struggling with Addiction

The same can be said when someone takes prescription medications against the prescribed directions. After feeling the relief of the medicine, a person may begin taking the prescription more often and at a higher dose. If their doctor stops the prescription, they make seek it out through illegal means when they become addicted.