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That’s why we have a comprehensive set of treatment providers and don’t charge for inclusion. We do not and have never accepted fees for referring someone to a particular center. Providers who advertise with us must be verified by our Research Team and we clearly mark their status as advertisers. Dependence also affects your physical health, whether or not you have an addiction. For example, alcohol dependence can lead to liver problems,11 heart disease, and even cancer. Opioids increase your risk for cardiac and respiratory problems.12 And illicit drug use has a high risk of overdose13 and death.

Abuse, Dependence, or Addiction?

As it worsens and becomes more frequent, the odds of developing a substance use disorder increase dramatically. Connect with a rehab program for alcohol and drug addiction to determine which treatments can best meet your unique needs. So when you start recovery, both your body and mind will need time to heal. Distinguishing between these concepts is essential in recommending the right treatments.

Find the Path to Recovery

It’s characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior, loss of control over use, and continued use despite negative consequences. It’s like if your car not only needed gas but also insisted on driving itself to the gas station at all hours, regardless of your schedule or bank balance. Picture addiction as a mischievous shapeshifter, constantly evolving and adapting.

Dependence vs. tolerance

Doctors may also prescribe certain medications to manage dependence and addiction. Sometimes, a well-timed intervention can be the catalyst that starts recovery. The process may be challenging, but it’s one filled with possibilities. With the right support, people can overcome dependence and addiction and reclaim their lives. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers.

It’s characterized by the body’s physiological adaptation to a substance, leading to tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued. It’s important to note that physical addiction, often used interchangeably with dependence, is a complex phenomenon that deserves its own spotlight. Let’s start by dipping our toes into the murky waters of definitions.

Short-term inpatient rehab is ideal for individuals who need detoxing and therapy, but who don’t require long-term treatment. If you think your substance use is causing problems in your life, help is available. Alcohol and drug treatment centers are well-equipped to assess your substance use and provide tailored, individualized recovery plans. Below is a list of the most common forms of substance abuse treatment programs and what they entail.

The advantage of going to a detox center is that medical assistance is readily available. A detox center will place you in comfortable surroundings where you can be assured of help in case of emergencies. Addiction or substance use disorder occurs when individuals are largely unable to function without the drug. People who are addicted develop a physical and psychological reliance on a substance that leads them to go to extreme lengths to continue taking it. To confuse matters further, “substance dependence” was then changed to “substance use disorder” in the new DSM-5.

• Many patients are often confused as to how they can be dependent on a drug, such as an opioid, but not be addicted to it.
• Dependence is a common and natural outcome of using certain drugs over time, but it is important to distinguish it from addiction.
• These triggers set off biochemical changes in a person’s brain that strongly influence addictive behavior.
• Additionally, undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues, such as depression, can be a predictor of eventual reliance on substances for self-management of negative affective states.

Effective treatment relies on medical addiction vs dependence advice and care alongside therapeutic and community support. Psychiatrists who specialize in addiction use evidence-based treatments and therapy to help you overcome the mental aspects of substance use disorders. Substance dependence is much more common than you might think, as it does not automatically mean the person is addicted.

Addiction vs Dependence: What’s the Difference?

• 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.
• While the person has difficulties physically withdrawing from the drug, they don’t have an intense or compulsive psychological or physiological need for it.
• Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers.

It’s like the difference between needing reading glasses to see clearly and being unable to stop buying designer frames even when you can’t afford rent. The interplay between physical and psychological components is where things get really interesting. It’s like a complex ecosystem where changes in one area affect the whole. Physical dependence can fuel psychological addiction by creating discomfort that the person seeks to alleviate through continued use.