What’s The Difference Between Dependence And Addiction?

This blog is a resource for people seeking addiction and mental health recovery information and inspiration, and the latest Turnbridge news and events. Disorder, is different from drug dependence because addiction describes a diagnosable medical condition. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, drug addiction is a chronic brain disease caused by a combination of factors—including brain circuitry, genetics, social environment, and life experiences. Alcohol Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people in the United States.

• Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name.
• That alone isn’t always an addiction, but it can accompany addiction.
• As substance abuse becomes more frequent, the likelihood of developing a dependence disorder becomes greater.
• Drug dependenceis defined by the presence of withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using a drug.
• Personal relationships, financial status, and careers are often the first aspects to suffer, and oftentimes, legal problems follow.

ΔFosB, a gene transcription factor, is now known to be a critical component and common factor in the development of virtually all forms of behavioral and drug addictions, but not dependence. Many organizations use addiction and dependence interchangeably, which can be confusing. Although these terms generally refer to substance abuse disorders, it’s important to differentiate the two to best comprehend them. To clear up any confusion, our drug and alcohol treatment center in Boca is sharing the difference between addiction and dependence and their definitions. Physical dependence on a substance may be a component of addiction, but it does not itself equal addiction.

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. These triggers set off biochemical changes in your brain, which influence addictive behavior.

Physiological dependence results from frequently taking opioid pain relievers, and will affect nearly everyone who takes these medications daily for weeks or more — regardless of harm or benefit. This means that when medication is stopped, withdrawal symptoms follow. For children and young adults whose brains are still developing, any alcohol or drug use is too much.

Addiction Treatment Services

When it comes to treatment and recovery, professionals know the difference between mental and physical dependence vs. addiction. Dependence means a person is physically or mentally reliant on a substance to feel “normal.” Without the substance, they go through a process called withdrawal, which can cause distressing symptoms. In fact, going through withdrawal without professional support can be so distressing that is causes individuals to give up and return to the substances they were depending on. Detoxification treatment may need to be administered to those with substance dependence due to the dangerous nature of some withdrawal symptoms. Research suggests that no treatment method is superior, but that social support is very important and that organizations such as AA and NA have better than average success rates in reducing relapse. He earned a Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania while pursuing his CAC-AD.

So, it’s important to consult a doctor to find the best program for your needs. Some nuances can make it difficult to determine if someone is addicted or dependent on a substance. The longer a person uses a drug, the more likely their dependency will become an addiction. On the other hand, dependence refers strictly to a physical need for a substance. «Opioids are ‘heroin pills.’ Anyone using opioids long-term is addicted.»

Opioids: Understanding Addiction Versus Dependence

Ongoing drug or alcohol use that interferes with work, school, or home duties. In the brain remains “offline,” and the patient is still capable of managing impulses and making decisions in their best interest. It is a way to replenish positive feelings in a life that feels lacking in daily joy. Addiction could also occur due to peer pressure or a desire to fit in.

As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Addiction is often defined as compulsive substance abuse despite negative consequences. Unlike dependence, addiction doesn’t affect every person who is repeatedly exposed to an addictive substance. A combination of genetic and environmental factors affects addiction risk. Like dependence, addiction is caused by physical changes in the brain.

It causes uncontrollable behavior when it comes to getting and using the drug of choice. In general, the longer people consume an addictive substance, the more dependent they’ll become. For example, injecting or snorting a drug may make a person more dependent than swallowing the same drug. Injecting or snorting a drug also decreasesthe time it takes to become addicted to the drug because the brain feels the full dose of the drug suddenly instead of gradually feeling a smaller dose over time.

Environmental – There are many different environmental factors that contribute to a person’s risk of becoming addicted to drugs. Their socioeconomic background, family and friends’ influences and quality of life all play a part. Past trauma, sexual or physical abuse, peer pressure, stress, and parental involvement can also greatly add to a person’s risk of drug addiction. Basically, an individual has an intense desire to repeat an action. In terms of drug or alcohol addiction, this means that the individual enjoys the experience of taking drugs or drinking.

Dependence is usually a word used to describe a physical addiction to a drug, but can also describe an emotional or psychological addiction. Once dependent on a substance, a person will often develop a tolerance to the drug, meaning they need to increase their dose to get the desired effects. Also, once dependence has formed, many people will experience eco sober house ma urges or cravings to use, and symptoms of withdrawal when they cut back or stop using. Withdrawal symptoms are the adverse side effects felt when use of the substance stops suddenly (flu-like symptoms and muscle pain in opioid users, for instance). A person can be physically dependent to a drug, or they can be psychologically dependent.

Since consistency is lacking, it’s important to establish some ground rules. While it isn’t possible to develop an addiction to a substance without repeated use, addictions can form more quickly and easily in certain people. Genetic, neurological, or psychological factors can all increase a person’s likelihood of developing a drug or alcohol dependence. In addition, stress, trauma, and hardship are also known ‘risk factors’ that make addiction more likely.

Dependence potential

Certain drugs are known to be more physically addictive than others, making it more likely that a person will develop a physical dependence (i.e. heroin, cocaine, or meth vs marijuana or alcohol). It is characterized by compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use that persists even if the user is aware of severe adverse consequences. For some people, addiction becomes chronic, with periodic relapses even after long periods of abstinence. As a chronic, relapsing disease, addiction may require continued treatments to increase the intervals between relapses and diminish their intensity.

Therapy can be in the form of counseling, behavioral therapy, self-help groups, group therapy, mindfulness, or a combination of modalities. Education is learning how to overcome and cope with the effects of addiction, such as compulsive cravings, and how to establish a healthier lifestyle. Together, therapy and education teach individuals how to get to the root of their addiction, defeat difficult emotions and cravings, establish healthful routines, and discover their best possible selves. When the symptoms of mental and physical dependence are apparent, an addiction is usually present. However, the main characteristic that distinguishes addiction from dependence is the combination of mental and physical dependence with uncontrollable behavior in obtaining and using a substance. The difference between addiction and dependence can be difficult to understand.

The lack of substance literally changes the person physiologically. They have to go through these changes to get back to a substance-free state. You may have heard substances described as either mentally addictive or physically addictive. These terms are misnomers, as they imply that if the body physically depends on something, then the individual has a dependence, not an addiction. An individual addicted to a substance may feel highly motivated to seek the experience of taking drugs or drinking. Conversely, their ability to deal with day-to-day life may become impaired and lead them to make poor choices.

Lastly, seizures are the result of connections between nerve cells in the brain being blocked. Treatment must address withdrawal symptoms and potential relapses if it occurs. Success is most likely when a person has access to long-term treatment and ongoing support. It’s important to realize that addiction is a chronic disorder that can result in relapse.

• 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.
• When someone abuses high doses of an addictive substance, they may develop a dependence.
• Drug dependence occurs when a person’s body has come to rely on a drug to function normally.
• In 2013, the APA did away with these terms and now classify all substance use disorders as either mild, moderate, or severe.

Programs considered are usually based on the type of substance abused. Detoxification and long-term follow-up management or recovery-oriented systems of care are important features of successful treatment. Long-term follow-up management usually includes formalized group meetings and psychosocial support systems, as well as continued medical supervision.

Her experience in behavioral health training, program development, and organizational leadership lead her to pursue a certification as a Project Management Professional in 2018. When symptoms of both physical and mental dependence are obvious, it usually indicates that addiction is present. However, the primary characteristic that determines it’s an addiction and not dependence is the combination of both physical and mental dependence.

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The biggest sign of physical dependence on a substance is that an individual will suffer withdrawal symptoms if the substance use is stopped or doses are significantly decreased. Another sign is developing a tolerance to the drug that requires larger and larger doses to achieve the same effects that the individual did previously. Addiction is not as clear-cut as the definition of dependence, but the main difference is that addiction has to do with changes in the brain. When the brain’s biochemistry adapts to substance use so that a person is compulsively using despite harmful consequences, a person is considered addicted. No matter what they do or what harm their substance abuse can cause themselves or others, they cannot stop using the drug.

If a person is exhibiting two or more of the above symptoms, professional substance use treatment is recommended. This indicates the presence of at least a mild substance use disorder. The differences between substance addiction and substance dependence are slight, as many of their signs https://sober-house.net/ and symptoms intersect. Physical dependence can occur as a result of long-term use of a drug—including use that has been guided by prescription, NIDA notes. Therefore, physical dependence on a drug is not synonymous with addiction, although dependence is often present with addiction.

The staff genuinely cares and it shows in the quality of treatment and counseling that each person receives. A person who has been using drugs or alcohol may also show physical symptoms like extreme fluctuations in weight, insomnia, poor hygiene, slurred speech, and more. Mental dependence indicates that it’s the brain that’s primarily affected by the substance — or lack of it. Recovery specialists usually look at the body and brain holistically, making sure they treat both with respect and compassion.

• A person who has been using drugs or alcohol may also show physical symptoms like extreme fluctuations in weight, insomnia, poor hygiene, slurred speech, and more.
• 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.
• No longer taking that drug produces symptoms, including withdrawal syndrome.
• Have a confidential, completely free conversation with a treatment provider about your financial options.
• Physical dependence addresses the physiological ways that the body adapts to the presence of a drug.

Addiction is a physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity. May be further harmed if the physical dependence is managed with the addiction model. Physical dependence occurs even if the medication in question is within the FDA approved dose range. If you’re struggling with substance use disorder,please visit the Crozer Health Access Center. After becoming dependent on a substance, a person will likely do whatever they need to do to continue to get it. And, the more times they use it, they will need increasingly higher doses to feel the same effect.

Withdrawal symptoms from certain drugs can be fatal, so it is important that detox is done professionally, in a safe and controlled medical facility. Addiction is characterized by an inability to stop using a substance, despite the harmful consequences. 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 upon stopping use of it. The official diagnosis of drug addiction by the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders , which makes distinctions between drug use, abuse, and substance dependence, is flawed. First, diagnosis of drug use versus abuse can be arbitrary and reflect cultural norms, not medical phenomena.

They want to do it again, and that desire is so strong it becomes a compulsion that’s hard to ignore. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government.

In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans. He also conducted official financial examinations of various non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework.