Then, as your body heals, lowering your dosage could make you feel anxious. Even if you only take drugs as prescribed, it’s important to monitor your substance use. If that substance dependence has a negative impact on your life, you could be at risk of addiction. A person with an addictive temperament is generally using a drug or alcohol consistently to excess. Over time, addicts start to lose not only their jobs, homes, and money, but also friendships, family relationships, and contact with the normal world. Addicts have a desperate view of the world, in which the only priority is securing the next high.
Differentiating Between Addiction and Dependence
- It’s always recommended to work in conjuncture with your prescriber to safety make any medication management changes to SSRI medications safely.
- If your body depends on a substance, withdrawal can range from being uncomfortable to dangerous.
- 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.
- Addiction can impact every aspect of your life, starting with your mental health.10 Substances change your brain, and might contribute to co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression.
Many medications, particularly those for pain management or anxiety, can lead to physical dependence with long-term use. It’s when the use goes beyond medical necessity, when the person starts doctor-shopping or using the medication to cope with life stressors, that we addiction vs dependence enter drug addiction territory. Addictive disorders are highly treatable, and treatment at an inpatient or outpatient rehab can greatly increase the likelihood of long-term sobriety. People with physical dependence may benefit from inpatient detox or rehab to ensure a safe and successful withdrawal, and anyone with an addiction should seek out addiction treatment.
- Dependence primarily manifests through physical changes in the body due to prolonged exposure to a substance or behavior.
- It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
General Health
So when you start recovery, both your body and mind will =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ need time to heal. 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. However, if an individual takes an antidepressant of this category for long enough, they can experience negative symptoms or experience discomfort when they stop—especially if they stop abruptly.
Unveiling the differences between disordered eating vs. eating disorders – understand, identify, and support.
Addiction is a state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol and other drugs. The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance dependence and is sometimes applied to behavioral disorders, such as sexual, internet, and gambling addictions). Addiction often stems from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and personal factors. It can be viewed as a chronic brain disorder that alters the reward system, leading to the prioritization of the addictive substance or behavior over other aspects of life.
- Individuals with certain risk factors for addiction may also be more likely to develop an addiction while dependent.
- People with a substance addiction may wish to quit but find it difficult to manage physical symptoms such as intense cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
- Long-term inpatient treatment programs vary in length, but typically last between 3 to 18 months.
- The distinction is essential for patients and caregivers to understand.
People with dependence may not enjoy the effects of the substance but still feel trapped in using it due to withdrawal symptoms. Individuals with addiction actively crave and seek the effects of substances. However, given enough time, people with dependence marijuana addiction may develop an addiction. Substance addiction refers to a complex mental health condition where an individual struggles to stop or control their behavior towards a particular substance. In many cases, individuals may be diagnosed with substance use disorder.
