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If so, it’s important for you to treat it with the seriousness it requires and get help before it’s too late. The only way to overcome this is by accepting you have a problem and reaching out for help. Whether you’re in the early stages or have a full-blown disorder, the earlier you get help, the greater your odds of overcoming this successfully.
- Addiction and dependence are words both used to describe an unhealthy and problematic pattern of drug or alcohol use.
- However, there are a few key differentiators that separate the two.
- The longer you let this fester, it’ll only hurt you worse in the long term.
- It is characterized by withdrawal symptoms with the patient being unable to cope when the drug is stopped.
- The two conditions often occur at the same time, but a person can be dependent on a substance without being addicted to it.
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. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol dependence, reach out today to a treatment specialist to explore what treatment options are available.
How Exactly Does Yoga Help in the Recovery Process?
In the past, drug or alcohol dependence was diagnosed as the most severe form of addiction, but this classification was done away with in 2013. Today, addiction and dependence are used interchangeably, and both refer to an unhealthy and problematic pattern of substance use. Generally, those who are physically dependent on a drug will benefit from detoxification.
The pain is so randomly up and down that it’s kind of hard to track it. I haven’t experienced any negative side effects in the tapering off process, so I don’t think that it could be said that I was addicted to it. It is possible to be physically addicted not to have a brain disease. Our programs are designed to help people get the treatment they need while maintaining their work or school routines.
Nonprescription Medications
Certain drugs are known to be more physically addictive than others, making it more likely that a person will develop a physical dependence (i.e. heroin, cocaine, or meth vs marijuana or alcohol). People who are dependent on drugs or alcohol are dealing with a physical dependence on addiction vs dependence the substance. That means the person has built up a tolerance to the substance and would experience withdrawal symptoms if they stopped drinking or using drugs. Because of that, it’s possible for a person to be dependent on a substance, without necessarily being addicted to it.
Join the thousands of people that have called a treatment provider for rehab information. Dr. Kevin Wandler of Advanced Recovery Systems warns that addictive drugs, such as nicotine, can cause dependence. Why have some organizations scrapped addiction from their vocabulary? Well, the phrase carries a negative connotation and is ambiguous, according to the DSM.
How To Tell The Difference Between Dependence vs. Addiction
Dependency is caused by the ongoing presence of a drug in your system. For example, a person may become physically dependent on antidepressant medications prescribed to treat depression, even experiencing withdrawal symptoms when tapering down or stopping using. When people use the term “dependence,” they are usually referring to a physical dependence on a substance.
- Our hope is that these changes will produce clarification while avoiding the confusion produced by the word ‘dependence’ in previous versions of the DSM.
- Some people develop physical dependencies on a drug while others only develop a psychological (aka mental or emotional) dependence.
- Success is most likely when a person has access to long-term treatment and ongoing support.
- Dr. Ashish Bhatt, MD explains the differences between physical dependency and addiction.
