Dependence can happen with many drugs, even when a person takes them as per their doctor’s instructions. Addiction causes cravings, compulsive behavior, and changes in the brain. Access State-Specific Provider Directories for detailed information on locating licensed service providers and recovery residences in your area. We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. 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. You consent to receive SMS notifications and promotions from Paid Advertiser.

• But fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to embark on a journey through the intricate landscape of these two closely related, yet distinctly different phenomena.
• This process helps individuals safely manage withdrawal symptoms and gradually reduce their reliance on the substance.

How to find treatment for dependence or addiction

But our genetic makeup doesn’t necessarily rule our choices and our lives. For example, social drinkers drug addiction with a family history of addiction have a 1 in 5 risk of misusing alcohol, he says. He also sees people who have taken heroin without developing an addiction, yet they can’t seem to stop smoking and give up nicotine. You may assume that certain substances are more addictive than others, and that is partially true, Mr. Kump says. In severe cases of intoxication or overdose, a person may require emergency care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction vs Dependence

• If a person who is dependent on a drug stops using it, they will experience withdrawal symptoms.
• Addiction, on the other hand, is the unruly teenager of the family – rebellious, disruptive, and often wreaking havoc on one’s life despite the negative consequences.
• If you’re concerned about your drug use and whether it’s crossing the line towards addiction, an understanding of these terms can help.
• Healthcare providers can help by slowly weening the patient off the substance and/or prescribing medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
• If you believe you have an addiction, it’s never too late to look for help.

On a personal level, both dependence and addiction can have profound implications. Families may struggle with the unpredictability and stress of living with someone battling these issues. It’s like walking on eggshells, never knowing when the next crisis will hit. The person struggling with dependence or addiction might face challenges in work, relationships, and self-esteem. Some might benefit from inpatient treatment, while others thrive with outpatient care.

What is Zaza? The Truth Behind This Rising Drug Trend

So unless it is urgent, gradually cutting down on the amount and how often you use it should make it easier. If you were addicted to the substance, just https://ecosoberhouse.com/ cutting down wouldn’t ordinarily work. If you develop a tolerance to a substance, it becomes less effective for you.

Prescription opioid use (such as morphine) may not always lead to an addiction, but long-term use can build dependence. This means that someone may not crave the drug, but they can suffer from withdrawal syndrome when they stop. The older DSM-4 criteria for addiction and dependence led to misdiagnosing patients, which created a false relationship between addiction and dependence (labeling dependence worse than addiction). Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.

While both involve the use of substances and can coexist, they refer to different aspects of substance use. Effective drug dependence therapy requires a comprehensive, individualized approach. Prescription medications present unique challenges in the dependence-versus-addiction discussion. Physical dependence can be life-threatening if not properly managed, particularly with substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. Dismissing dependence as “just physical” overlooks the very real risks of unsupervised withdrawal.

• At first, starting this behavior is an extra activity, but as the user becomes more dependent on the high, it can turn into the main activity.
• AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers.
• People struggling with addiction often experience intense emotional turbulence due to disrupted neural circuits involved in stress response and emotional regulation.

Tolerance, Physical Dependence, and Addiction Explained

Some organizations may have different names addiction vs dependence 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.