Addiction vs Dependence: Understanding the Key Differences

For example, a key indicator of being physically dependent is experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance can be a critical factor in both dependence and the development of substance use disorder. It occurs when the body becomes accustomed to a substance’s presence, necessitating higher doses for the same effects. Tolerance develops due to various physiological mechanisms, including changes in receptor sensitivity and neurotransmitter levels in the brain. It’s a hallmark of physical dependence and is commonly observed in addiction scenarios.

Dependence vs Addiction: Key Differences, Diagnosis, and Treatment

In addition to writing for Recovery.com she has written meditations for NatureSpace and is a licensed massage therapist. Some might benefit from inpatient treatment, while others thrive with outpatient care. It’s about finding the right fit, like Cinderella’s glass slipper, but for recovery.

Continuing to increase the amount of a substance to achieve the same effects can lead to dependence and addiction. For example, when someone is prescribed opioids by a doctor for pain, the prescription is usually for a few weeks or months. During that time, the person quickly develops a tolerance, and it doesn’t take long for the brain to become dependent on the drug. These factors are also crucial in explaining why some people go on to develop an addiction. Someone can have a dependence on a substance but not have an addiction to it. People can also experience withdrawal symptoms and not be addicted to a substance.

Signs of Dependence

• Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences.
• Psychological dependence can develop with various substances and behaviors.
• Understanding this sequence is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, as addressing dependence alone may not resolve the addictive behaviors.
• Dependence refers to physical changes in the body that produce withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped, but this does not necessarily involve cravings or loss of control.
• While this loss of control may be for different reasons, addiction and dependence may appear the same to a loved one or outside observer.

Integrated substance use treatment options consider the whole person and the coexistence of mental or psychological reliance alongside physical aspects. One can be dependent on a substance without being addicted, as dependence focuses more on physical reliance rather than compulsive behavior. For example, someone who takes prescription medication for chronic pain might become physically dependent on it.

• Start by understanding the difference between drug dependence and addiction so that you can appropriately talk about it, ask informed questions, and address it in your inner circles.
• Addiction, on the other hand, is a complex mental health condition where the addict struggles to control their behavior towards a substance.
• In the case of such a dependency, when it comes to stop taking the drug it is important to reduce gradually under medical supervision rather than stopping abruptly.

Addiction, on the other hand, involves compulsive behavior and a loss of control, often with a psychological craving for the substance. Have you ever wondered whether drug dependence and addiction are the same thing? While many people use these terms interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of substance use and can have very different implications for treatment and recovery. Understanding the difference is essential to guide more effective intervention and healing. Physical dependence on a substance (drug or alcohol) may be a component of addiction, but it does not itself equal addiction.

Get Professional Help

Whether you’re dealing with addiction, dependence, or both, alongside mental health challenges, you should opt for dual diagnosis treatment which will provide you with personalized, evidence-based care. 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. Early intervention plays a critical role in preventing the escalation of drug dependence into full-blown addiction. Recognizing the early signs of dependence—such as the increased need for the substance or the development of tolerance—can make all the difference. The sooner someone reaches out for help, the more likely they are to avoid serious, long-term complications.

Now that we’ve defined addiction and dependence, let’s look at tolerance and dependence more closely, and how they relate to addiction. When someone develops a tolerance, their body needs higher doses of the substance to achieve the same effect. By clicking “Submit,” you certify that you have provided your legal name and phone number, agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy, and authorise Paid Advertiser to contact you.

• People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol often lose control over their use.
• It not only enhances the therapeutic alliance but also facilitates a deeper understanding of the individual’s needs and challenges.
• Substance dependence is much more common than you might think, as it does not automatically mean the person is addicted.

Addictions can start slowly as people experiment with different types of drugs. Or they can come on quickly, like what is now happening in the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis is so bad Sober living house that the U.S. government declared a public health emergency.

Addiction involves compulsive drug use despite harm, while dependence is a physical adaptation to a substance. For example, a person may become dependent on a pain medication prescribed by their doctor. While the person has difficulties physically withdrawing from the drug, they don’t have an intense or addiction vs dependence compulsive psychological or physiological need for it.

The recent death of pop star Prince from an opioid overdose was one of the 25,000 fatalopioid overdosesin the US every year. What these opioid overdoses show, according to an article inScientific American, is how increased tolerance of the drug can lead to higher chemical dependence on the side effects. And as the user takes higher amounts to feed this side, the secondary effects of respiratory depression (slowed down breathing or lack of breathing) and breathing are doubled or tripled. It is in this so-called differential tolerance where the users usually overdose.

However, there are clear differences between the two terms, several of which deal with the chemical effects that happen to addicted persons. You may have heard the phrase mental dependence and physical dependence and wondered to yourself, “what are the differences? ” Mental dependence is when the use of drugs or alcohol is a conditioned response to something you feel or an event, often referred to as triggers. For example, if you get into an argument with a significant other, your first response will be to pick up a six-pack of beer or call your dealer for illicit drugs.

Sometimes, listening without offering advice can help them feel heard and supported. Another approach is motivational interviewing (MI), which focuses on enhancing motivation and commitment to change. MI helps individuals explore their ambivalence towards substance use and promotes self-motivation to pursue a substance-free lifestyle. We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser.