Addiction vs dependence: Definitions and differences
When someone uses the term “dependence,” they’re often referring to someone becoming physically dependent on a drug. This means they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if they decrease the dose or halt use altogether, or they’re unable to experience the effects of the drug at the dose they’ve become used to, known as tolerance. With that said, it’s important to note that you can be dependent on a drug without being addicted. As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives.
Substance Abuse
This is when a person depends on a substance or behavior emotionally, such as when stressed. Doctors may also prescribe certain medications to manage dependence and addiction. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.
Differences Between Substance Abuse, Dependence, & Addiction
If you think you have a dependence or addiction, contact a treatment provider today for help. To reiterate, the DSM-5 dropped the categories of “substance dependence” and “substance abuse,” and so the claim that substance abuse disorder is the preferred term for drug addiction is inaccurate. Physiological dependence is very common and can occur with many different kinds of substances, including those considered to be medications. Some drugs are more likely to lead to dependence, while others are notorious for their addictive potential. For instance, opioids like morphine can cause severe physical dependence, even when used as prescribed. On the other hand, cocaine, while not typically causing severe physical dependence, is highly addictive due to its intense psychological effects.
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- Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.
- Behavioral science experts believe that all entities capable of stimulating a person can be addictive; and whenever a habit changes into an obligation, it can be considered as an addiction.
- This is where support systems come into play, acting as a crucial lifeline in the recovery process.
- Individuals with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and frequently endure despite negative consequences.
- Clients receiving intensive outpatient treatment will usually visit the center 2 to 5 days per week for 2 to 4 hours per day.
- The recent death of pop star Prince from an opioid overdose was one of the 25,000 fatalopioid overdosesin the US every year.
Since he can’t stop even though he wants to, his dependence has turned into an addiction. But if you have both, your physical and psychological symptoms might feed off each other. For example, you might start taking opioids to relieve pain after an injury. Then, as your body heals, lowering your dosage could make you feel anxious. You can also develop addictions to behaviors like sex, watching porn, using the internet, and gambling. A person can have an addiction without necessarily having a physical dependence.
Addiction vs Tolerance vs Dependence: The Differences
The only way to overcome this is by accepting you have a problem and reaching out for help. Whether you’re in the early stages or have a full-blown disorder, the earlier you get help, the greater your odds of overcoming this successfully. The longer you let this fester, it’ll only hurt you worse in the long term. Dependence and abuse are defined in a way that measures the time and severity of substance use. As it worsens and becomes more frequent, the odds of developing a substance use disorder increase dramatically. Connect with a rehab program for alcohol and drug addiction to determine which treatments can best meet your unique dependence vs addiction needs.
- If you are using drugs in large amounts, struggle to control your intake, or rely on them for specific functions like relaxing or boosting confidence, you’re likely abusing them.
- Stigma can affect the quality of care people receive, as healthcare providers may harbor unconscious biases that influence their treatment approaches.
- Anyone with an addiction can get help at any point if they feel it’s the right time.
- Rather, the manual defines substance abuse disorders as mild, moderate, or severe.
- A person can have an addiction without necessarily having a physical dependence.
However, it’s important to understand that they’re not the same thing. You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery. If you are struggling with your alcohol or drug use, it can be helpful to explore these three definitions to determine whether there might be a problem. In this article, we provide information about what abuse, dependence, and addiction mean, and how you can seek treatment for them. Dr. Ashish Bhatt, MD explains the differences between physical dependency and addiction.
Standard Outpatient Programs
Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. Let’s examine how the world views addiction versus dependence in relation to substance abuse disorders. These are less involved than partial hospitalization programs and typically take place at a treatment center or outpatient clinic. Clients receiving intensive outpatient treatment will usually visit the center 2 to 5 days per week for 2 to 4 hours per day. Additionally, undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues, such as depression, can be a predictor of eventual reliance on substances for self-management of negative affective states. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare.
Determining Whether You’re Dependent or Addicted
The medical community has typically thought of addiction as abuse of a substance that continues even when there are detrimental consequences, such as losing a job or developing physical issues like kidney damage or ulcers. People who are addicted to a substance use it even if it has no medical benefit. Addictions are more likely to result in serious harm, including suicide, unlike tolerance and physical dependence. Looking to the future, research continues to shed light on the intricate workings of dependence and addiction.
- Distinguishing between alcohol or drug dependence and addiction is essential for informed discussions about substance use and prescribed medication alike.
- Although someone with a drug addiction can end their physical dependence on the drug through detox, the mental component of the addiction remains, and maintaining sobriety can be an ongoing struggle.
- Even if you only take drugs as prescribed, it’s important to monitor your substance use.
When you miss your morning cup, you might develop physical withdrawal symptoms, like a headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and more. According to the DSM-5, it is possible to meet diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder without having tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. That said, for many, but not all, substances, tolerance and withdrawal are often part of the package of symptoms of a substance use disorder. 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.
