In fact, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), who are the developers of the DSM, nonchalantly utilize the terms “substance use disorder” and “addiction” interchangeably on their website. One of the main medical texts that are used by mental health professionals to diagnose addiction is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM), which is currently in its fifth edition. Addiction, on the other hand, is not a predictable drug effect, but rather a disease that occurs in genetically, biologically, and psychosocially vulnerable individuals.
I’ve been taking Clonazepam, 1mg at bedtime, originally for anxiety, but along the way I found that it keeps me from acting out my dreams, something my wife did not appreciate. It’s hard to know just how much it decreases the panic attacks, but they’ve become less frequent. Just because a person does not feel impaired does not mean they are sober.
Does the substance in question matter?
…resulted in confusion among clinicians regarding the difference between “dependence” in a DSM (IV) sense, which is really “addiction,” and “dependence” as a normal physiological adaptation to repeated dosing of a medication. The result is that clinicians who see evidence of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms assume that this means addiction, and patients requiring additional pain medication are made to suffer. addiction vs dependence Similarly, pain patients in need of opioid medications may forgo proper treatment because of the fear of dependence, which is self-limiting by equating it with addiction (764–765) [6]. First, it is crucial to understand the differences between drug tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Tolerance occurs when a person’s physical response to a substance, such as drugs or alcohol, lessens over time.
The opioid crisis is so bad that the U.S. government declared a public health emergency. Speak with your doctor if you develop a tolerance to your medication or any other substance. If you are taking a prescription medication, your doctor may change the class of medication, which may affect your body in a different way.
Definition of Dependence
Additional training in assessment and diagnosis for physician trainees at the medical school level is also needed. Most medical schools only devote a few hours over four years to teaching addiction medicine, a mere fraction of the time devoted to other chronic diseases encountered in general practice [8]. As a result, many physicians are ill-equipped to differentiate addiction from dependence due to a lack of expertise.
Like tolerance, dependence is a physical effect of drug abuse, and is related to the way drugs impact the brain. When a person uses drugs repeatedly, the chemical make-up of their brain is altered. They become reliant on the drug to feel good, or in more severe cases, to function normally. 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. If a person is tolerant to, or dependent on drugs, this does mean the person is addicted.
Different Parts of the Brain Affected
If it is not a prescription medication, your doctor may be able to help you reduce your use of the substance with the least side effects. Distinguishing between these concepts is essential in recommending the right treatments. Addiction recovery can involve addressing both physical and psychological health. Recognizing the differences between dependence and addiction is crucial for tailoring effective treatment and recovery strategies. Tolerance is when the body’s response to a substance diminishes over time.
- People with an addiction often prioritize acquiring and using the substance over other important life activities and responsibilities.
- While dependence and addiction are often used interchangeably, they are different.
- Recognizing the difference between an addiction and substance dependence can help to better understand the nature of addiction.
If you think you have a dependence or addiction, contact a treatment provider today for help. Addiction is a disease characterized by behavioral issues, and dependence refers to a physical reliance on a substance. The two conditions often occur at the same time, but a person can be dependent on a substance without being addicted to it. Weaning, or gradually quitting the substance, is an effective way to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox can provide a safe, comfortable environment for individuals to purge toxins in drugs and alcohol from their bodies under the supervision of clinicians. Dependence occurs when a person stops using drugs or alcohol and goes through withdrawal.
Addiction Is a Disease; Tolerance and Dependence Aren’t
When addiction to a substance develops, it is called substance use disorder. It occurs when a person has difficulty stopping substance use or engaging in a behavior that provides some type of benefit. The terms “addiction” and “dependence” can seem similar, but they are different. People who experience drug tolerance often have questions about their condition, why it occurs, and what risks it poses.
It’s one of many factors involved in the complex progression towards addiction. Always consult a medical professional about tolerance, dependence, or addiction. There has been an evolving understanding that substance misuse relates to a complex set of variables that includes a person’s genetics as well as physical, mental, emotional and social factors. However, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/addiction-to-amphetamine-symptoms-treatment-and-recovery/ addiction cannot start until someone starts abusing a substance. Substance abuse is when a person uses drugs or alcohol so heavily, inappropriately, and often enough that it begins to disrupt their daily life. From genetic factors and your environment to your mental health history and life experiences, nearly every part of life affects 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.
