Tolerance, Physical Dependence, Addiction: the Differences

Dependence, on the other hand, is characterized by a physical and psychological loss of control due to substance abuse. For example, physical dependence occurs when the body is reliant on the chemical interactions caused by a drug or substance. In this case, medical support may be required to help wean the individual off the drug. However, in this state, a person can be physically dependent on the medication, but not addicted. Understanding the relationship between addiction and dependence, as well as the common factors contributing to both, can help individuals and their loved ones navigate these complex conditions.

What is dependence?

Effective treatment should be tailored to the individual’s specific needs and may involve a combination of interventions. Seeking professional help is essential for those struggling with addiction or dependence. While dependence and addiction are often used interchangeably, they are different.

Differences Between Substance Abuse, Dependence, & Addiction

If that substance dependence has a negative impact on your life, you could be at risk of addiction. Recognizing the difference between an addiction and substance dependence can help to better understand the nature of addiction. Knowing as much as possible about addiction and dependence can also be a valuable tool in achieving recovery. It is also important to realize that while a dependence may be present without addiction, substance dependencies frequently lead to addiction. If you think you have a dependence or addiction, contact a treatment provider today for help.

Substance Abuse Treatment

For example, if you take a sedative to sleep, it may work very well at the first dose. When you first start drinking alcohol, it may have taken only a few drinks for you to feel drunk. But over time, you may need more drinks, more often, Addiction vs Dependence: What is the Difference? for the same effect. 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.

Addiction and Dependence: Understanding the Difference

• However, unlike other opioids, orally dissolved buprenorphine binds to fewer opioid receptors and for a more extended period.
• Some organizations have different definitions, use the words interchangeably or even abandon both terms altogether.
• Alprazolam is a controlled substance with potential for misuse and dependence.
• For example, individuals who are addicted to prescription drugs will take more than the prescribed amount and for longer than its intended use.
• They will recommend slowly reducing your dose over several weeks to months before stopping it completely.

Also, other anxiety medications, including SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can take a few weeks to start working to treat generalized anxiety. In the meantime, your healthcare provider may recommend a fast-acting medication like hydroxyzine or Xanax for short-term relief from anxiety symptoms. 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.

The important difference is often misunderstood—and it is no wonder.

This section will explore the causes, symptoms, and effects of addiction, shedding light on its impact on individuals and society. Such confusion can also contribute to a reluctance among prescribers to treat pain conditions among individuals on opioid agonist treatment. While drug addiction affects the reward pathways of the brain (including the mesolimbic pathway and the mesocortical pathway), dependence affects the thalamus and brainstem. It’s a grim scenario that unfortunately is found in many drug abuse cases year after year.

• Your doctor may also ask you what your goals are or if you have any opinions or preferences when it comes to creating a treatment plan.
• Addiction is defined as the behavior of someone who keeps abusing substances, despite negative consequences.
• Users may convince themselves they use their substance of choice because their body relies on it, but they can stop whenever they want.
• Brain scans taken from people who have a chemical dependency show that the brain physically changes with the long-term use of drugs and alcohol.
• The person’s behavior surrounding the substance progressively becomes more destructive.

Opioid Addiction in the United States

Some organizations may have different names or definitions or use the words interchangeably, which causes mass confusion. The term substance use disorder (SUD) is the preferred way of saying it in the scientific community. Since consistency is lacking, it’s important to establish some ground rules.

• A person can have an addiction without necessarily having a physical dependence.
• Many resources are available, including the best addiction recovery podcast, support groups, and professional treatment programs.
• As a result, their usage must be causing them psychological or physical impairment.
• Understanding the relationship between addiction and dependence, as well as the common factors contributing to both, can shed light on the complexities of these conditions.

SSRIs and SNRIs have a long track record of safety and effectiveness. Examples of SSRIs are Celexa (citalopram), Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Paxil (paroxetine). In many cases, benzodiazepines like Xanax are prescribed in addition to another anxiety medication that you take every day, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Other antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine, the main ingredient in Benadryl) cause sedation and itch relief but not antianxiety effects. Hydroxyzine is the only antihistamine that’s FDA-approved for anxiety.

Physical Dependence Vs. Addiction