Addiction vs Tolerance vs Dependence: The Differences

These are less involved than partial hospitalization programs and typically take place at a treatment center or outpatient clinic. Clients receiving intensive outpatient treatment will usually visit the center 2 to 5 days per week for 2 to 4 hours per day. To confuse matters further, “substance dependence” was then changed to “substance use disorder” in the new DSM-5. The intention was to simplify the phrasing by grouping substance abuse and substance dependence into one category.

What is the difference between opioid addiction and dependence?

For example, one can easily become dependent on prescription painkillers (like Oxycontin) over a scheduled period of time. They may experience negative side effects after stopping the drug use. However, when the individual is addicted to painkillers, they will misuse the substance. They may use the drug longer than prescribed, or may use higher dosages to feel the euphoric effects. They may order multiple prescriptions, or call multiple doctors, to try and obtain more of the drug.

Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views

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. Doctors may also prescribe certain medications to manage dependence and addiction.

Medical

Based on the information above, we can conclude that addiction and dependence are not the same, although they are often confused or used interchangeably. While both involve the use of substances and can coexist, they refer to different aspects of substance use. For example, opioid withdrawal may cause anxiety and insomnia, while opioid intoxication typically leads to calmness and drowsiness. Withdrawal symptoms can also trigger intense cravings for the substance, which may lead individuals to resume use to alleviate the symptoms and delay the withdrawal process.

• Someone with a physical dependence on opioids may have some level of control over their opioid use.
• And sometimes it takes more than one type of treatment to be successful.
• In this article, we provide information about what abuse, dependence, and addiction mean, and how you can seek treatment for them.
• For example, cocaine tolerance occurs over short periods, whereas tolerance to prescription drugs usually develops over long periods.
• These are known as “triggers.” Something as simple as the act of driving can trigger a desire to use.
• Without a doubt, it can be difficult and even deadly if it does not occur in a safe manner under medical supervision.
• The attempt to fill an emotional void or numb the pain can lead to a reliance on substances or behaviors.

Acute tolerance, or tachyphylaxis, is the development of tolerance after repeated dosing of a drug in quick succession. This kind of tolerance is rarely seen in clinical therapy, as repeated dosing in short intervals is not customary. The words tolerance, dependence, and addiction have been used interchangeably, but there are important medical differences in each of these definitions that set them apart. Tolerance occurs when a person needs increasingly larger amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect over time.

Acquired resistance is a more menacing problem, especially in hospital settings. It is the subsequent development of tolerance to an antimicrobial agent that was initially effective. For instance, chronic alcoholics have a thickened stomach lining due to the long-term effect of consuming alcohol, which in turn decreases the absorption of alcohol. Barbiturates may also be subjected to increased metabolism, leading to decreased effectiveness at the same dose. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers.

Understanding the Terms

• The DSM-IV defined abuse and dependence as two separate disorders.
• Nicotine is an addictive substance that can make someone develop a physical and psychological dependence over time.
• Using an antagonist that blocks the pleasurable effects of the drug and prevents relapse.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with any of these symptoms, there are resources available that can help.

They use the substance no matter what and despite the consequences. Addictions are more likely to result in serious harm, including suicide, unlike tolerance and physical dependence. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics says more than 20 million people over the age of 12 in the United States have substance use disorder.

• Behavioral science experts believe that all entities capable of stimulating a person can be addictive; and whenever a habit changes into an obligation, it can be considered as an addiction.
• In other words, tolerance is a physical effect of continued substance abuse.
• Dependence can occur with the use of certain medications, such as painkillers or antidepressants, even when taken as prescribed.
• Medical professionals are ethically required to get the diagnosis right so that they can get the treatment right.
• It reflects a physiological adaptation, not necessarily a behavioral compulsion.

However, some people may not see as much of a reaction to a drug that other people do. However, tolerance does not always require long-term use to happen. In fact, a tolerance to drugs such as cocaine can occur from a single usage. Opioid dependence and long-term opioid use can occur without OUD.

CONSULTING SERVICES

You can learn about the definition of a substance use disorder here. It is a complex condition addiction vs dependence that affects the person’s brain, body, and behavior. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers.

However, dependence can be a significant factor in the development or maintenance of addiction. Most people think that addiction, physical dependence, and tolerance to drugs are all the same thing, but nothing could be further from the truth. Stigma can affect the quality of care people receive, as healthcare providers may harbor unconscious biases that influence their treatment approaches. It can even manifest in public policies, leading to discriminatory practices and limited access to resources for those struggling with addiction. A patient with a SUD begins to lose the ability to effectively prioritize their well-being over the continued use of the drug. Because of the direct effects on the brain, an addicted patient will often act out of character and develop an inability to determine whether and when their use has become problematic and uncontrollable.