When a person stops taking that drug suddenly, they will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. There is a very fine line between drug tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Often, it is a line that even concerned loves ones cannot fully make out. Is my son addicted to drugs, or is his body just dependent on them? Is my daughter using higher dosages to better manage her condition, or just to get high? These are questions we often hear from concerned parents, and it all comes down to this.

Addiction treatment and recovery

Most commonly, the cases are related to marijuana and prescription pain relievers. Addiction is considered “highly treatable.” But it can take a few tries for the therapy to be fully effective. It’s important to realize that addiction is a chronic disorder that can result in relapse. Short-term or one-time treatment options are rarely effective. In most cases, addiction is determined by noticeable negative consequences to one's life.

• Therapy sessions led by healthcare providers can provide coping strategies, improve motivation for change, and address co-occurring mental health issues.
• People with a drug dependency need to gradually reduce the amount of the drug they take each day to help lessen, limit, or even avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• Regardless of what term you use to describe a substance misuse issue, Mr. Kump emphasizes that the key is to understand that treatment is available.
• When you read through these definitions, do you consider yourself in any one of these phases?
• The purposeful use of the term "Addictive Disorders" in the naming of this chapter was primarily due to the addition of "gambling disorder" to the DSM, a non-substance-related disorder.

Addiction vs. dependence: What is the difference?

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]. As noted, dependence occurs as a person develops a tolerance and continues to take the drug. A good way to observe this is when a person using a drug stops doing so. Without a doubt, it can be difficult and even deadly if it does not occur in a safe manner under medical supervision.

At What Point Should Someone Seek Substance Use Treatment?

As a result, many physicians are ill-equipped to differentiate addiction from dependence due to a lack of expertise. Other professionals who diagnose addiction (e.g. social workers, physician assistants, nurse-practitioners, addiction counselors) also need better education about these distinctions. Tolerance occurs first, and, over a period of time, this leads to more dependence. Dependence occurs when the body changes to adapt to the constant access and usage of the drug.

• Addiction recovery can involve addressing both physical and psychological health.
• In severe cases of intoxication or overdose, a person may require emergency care.
• Drug dependence refers to someone feeling like they cannot function normally without the use of the substance.
• Psychological dependence, on the other hand, involves a strong desire or craving to use the drug, often driven by the perceived need for its effects.

As a result, individuals need to have access to care they need right away. Residential treatment is similar to inpatient treatment where you stay at a treatment center for a duration of time. However, residential treatment is less intensive and resembles more of a comfortable home setting. Residential treatment will provide you with detox services and therapy, and addiction vs dependence it will help you create a plan to maintain sobriety long term. Outpatient treatment involves reporting to a treatment center at designated times to help with the detox process and receive therapy to manage addiction. Outpatient treatment can be a good idea for those who have work or family responsibilities that they don’t want to neglect while they are healing.

Begin the Road to Recovery at Fort Behavioral Health

Speak with your doctor if you have become physically dependent on a medication or other substance. Physical dependence on a drug is also different from addiction. Dependence is the next step in the addiction progression and is a severe warning sign for everyone involved, including those who witness the person becoming dependent. The scientific construct of addiction has a rich and evolving history. There are clear distinctions between addiction and dependence.

• When someone develops a tolerance, they will likely develop a dependence with continued use.
• For some substances, such as alcohol, suddenly stopping it can be dangerous.
• However, some people may not see as much of a reaction to a drug that other people do.
• Early intervention can help prevent the escalation of substance use disorders and increase the likelihood of successful recovery.
• However, they are unique terms describing different conditions.

In many cases, tolerance happens when someone has been taking a certain drug for an extended period of time. The receptors or enzymes in their brain and body are less activated by the drug, so it is not as effective. It is not the same thing as addiction, and it can happen with both prescription and recreational drugs.

Drug Addiction vs. Drug Dependence

Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, can reinforce positive behavior change. Addiction, Dependence, and Tolerance are interrelated, but are unique aspects of substance use https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and recovery. Even with their uniqueness, there will still be crossover between the three. If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at

Addiction Versus Dependence Versus Tolerance When It Comes to Substance Abuse