Addiction vs dependence: Definitions and differences

Substances send massive surges of dopamine through your brain, too, as well as certain activities, like having sex or spending money. But instead of motivating you to do the things you need to do to survive (eat, work and spend time with loved ones), such massive dopamine levels can have damaging effects on your thoughts, feelings and behavior. There’s not a single cause of addiction — it’s a very complex condition. A significant part of how addiction develops is through changes in your brain chemistry. Alcohol use disorder is the most common substance addiction in the United States, followed by nicotine and marijuana. About 10% of people aged 12 or older in the U.S. have alcohol use disorder.

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members

Physical dependence usually develops as a result of repeatedly consuming a given substance over a period of time. Although researchers do not fully understand the precise mechanisms, it is possible that the substances cause changes to occur in the brain and central nervous system. Dependence refers to the physical symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance, while SUD refers to long-term behavioral, social, and physical changes. People can experience physical dependence on prescription opioids, antidepressants, anti-epileptics, or benzodiazepines without having an addiction to them.

Warning Signs of Substance Use Disorder

Addiction can significantly impact your health, relationships and overall quality of life. It’s crucial to seek help as soon as you develop signs of addiction. Addiction is a chronic (lifelong) condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing of an activity despite negative or harmful consequences. People may be able to divide the symptoms of physical dependence into either acute withdrawal syndrome or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). SUD can result in behavioral, physical, and social changes, such as mood changes, deterioration of appearance, and strained relationships with friends and family. Physical dependence refers to the reliance on a substance to help a person get through the day.

What Does It Mean to Be Substance Dependent?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a medical diagnosis based on a set of well-defined criteria. Doctors use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to judge the symptoms and figure out the severity. If they have withdrawal symptoms, these things can show up when they’re not using. Your brain is set up to make you repeat things that feel good.

Substance Addiction

For individuals who are seeking intensive treatment but still prefer to live at home, partial hospitalization (PHP) or day treatment programs are also available. PHP typically consists of hospital treatment 5 to 7 days a week, for 4 to 8 hours per day. Like inpatient treatment, clinical staff are on hand to assist with detox, medication management, and withdrawal symptoms.

They may order drug tests to see how much and how many types of substances are in substance dependence your body at a time. They may also evaluate prescription drug monitoring program reports (a database of distributed controlled substances). If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery.

In its most severe form, alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and require hospitalization. In the third stage, behavior and personality changes start to take place. These include aggressive behavior and a complete lack of insight into the problem. Finally, in the late stage, persistent use of alcohol affects the person’s physical and emotional health, causing serious deterioration in ability to function.

• Why one person can have a drink or two each day and not become addicted to alcohol, whereas another becomes addicted, is a mystery.
• Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and individual and/or group therapy, which can take place in the community or at an inpatient rehabilitation center.
• Opiates include drugs like heroin and opium, as well as pain-relieving medications, such as Vicodin and morphine.
• Depending on the type of substance use disorder you have, the first stage of treatment may be medically assisted detoxification.
• Women who smoke during pregnancy have a higher rate of miscarriage.
• Most people who take their pain medicine as directed by their doctor do not become addicted, even if they take the medicine for a long time.

You may misuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, or avoid reality. But usually, you’re able to change your unhealthy habits or stop using completely. There are also growing numbers of medicines that are helpful in overcoming addiction to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs such as opioids. Most tobacco users wish they had never started; only 5% succeed in quitting on the first attempt, and only 3% to 5% are able to stay away from tobacco for a year. Drug addicts say it is easier to give up cocaine and heroin than to stop smoking. Environmental factors such as physical and sexual abuse, or disadvantaged social status, play an important role in addiction.

• It is during this time that a physical dependence on the drug begins.
• Historically, substance misuse has been wrongly viewed and mistreated as an acute, behaviorally-centered condition.
• Before considering treatment, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of how addiction, also called Substance Use Disorder (SUD), affects the brain.
• The differences between substance abuse, dependence, and addiction can be difficult to define.

Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death. You should seek treatment at the first sign of dependence to avoid harmful mental and physical consequences and to stop substance misuse before it turns into an addiction. People can build a tolerance to addictive and non-addictive substances. Continuing to increase the amount of a substance to achieve the same effects can lead to dependence and addiction.

Substance use disorder, on the other hand, is used in clinical and diagnostic settings to refer to “addiction.” The condition also has varying levels of severity and is categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. When a person develops an addiction, it can happen over time as they build a tolerance to the substance. They must use more of the drug or alcohol to feel the same effects.

Experimenting with—or even being prescribed—a drug or substance can sometimes lead to occasional use and then to heavy use. But if you’ve misused drugs or alcohol in the past or have family members who have, you may be at a higher risk. Some people hide their use well or seem like they’re doing just fine. But even early on, changes in mood, behavior, or daily habits can point to a deeper issue. Treatment can ease withdrawal, support recovery, and help you take control of your life. Nicotine does not make you high, so it does not interfere with your ability to function.