Although they may seem similar, addiction and dependence are distinct concepts. A person with an addiction has difficulty not using substances or doing rewarding activities, even if it is harming them. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs, proper help and support may be required to get drug use under control. The comments were reviewed by the Substance Related Disorders Working Group and the final version will be tested in a field trial later this year. It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult.
Can external factors influence drug tolerance?
The DSM-IV defined abuse and dependence as two separate disorders. However, the most recent edition of the DSM no longer creates this distinction. Such confusion can also contribute to a reluctance among prescribers to treat pain conditions among individuals on opioid agonist treatment. Based on the information above, we can conclude that addiction and dependence are not the same, although they are often confused or used interchangeably.
- The main difference between tolerance and dependence is that tolerance refers to the body getting used to taking a substance and requiring higher doses.
- People with a dependency are not necessarily addicted to the drug they have become dependent upon, but they can be.
- When addiction is related to drugs or alcohol, the condition is also called a substance use disorder.
- As noted, dependence occurs as a person develops a tolerance and continues to take the drug.
Different Parts of the Brain Affected
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. A person may develop tolerance to a drug if they use it for a long time. It occurs when a person has difficulty stopping substance use or engaging in a behavior that provides some type of benefit.
- While tolerance is observable during active drug use, withdrawal symptoms become evident in the hours or days following cessation.
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- This helps to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal, and the dangers that can come with quitting drugs cold turkey.
Standard Outpatient Programs
Today, the APA classifies substance use disorders as mild, moderate, or severe. It doesn’t use the terms abuse and dependence to categorize the severity of an addiction. Dependence occurs when a person stops using drugs or alcohol and goes through withdrawal.
Similarly, pain patients in need of opioid medications may forgo proper treatment because of the fear of dependence, addiction vs dependence which is self-limiting by equating it with addiction (764–765) 6. Misunderstanding these terms can lead to inappropriate patient management. For example, individuals struggling to stop their medications due to withdrawal symptoms may be wrongly accused of addiction or misuse. Misdiagnosing physical dependence as addiction can result in unnecessary referrals to drug detox and rehab centers.