Asked by: Guisela Rosua
medical health substance abuse

What is meant by drug dependence?

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Substance dependence, also known as drug dependence, is an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration, and which results in withdrawal upon cessation of drug use. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped.


Herein, what is the difference between drug addiction and drug dependence?

Drug dependence is typically defined as what causes tolerance and withdrawal (physical effects), while addiction is characterized by having more of a mental component. Dependence is physical; addiction is neurological. They're independent of each other.

Additionally, what are the two types of dependence? There are two main types of alcohol or drug dependence. The first kind is physical dependency. This means that the body has developed a physiological reliance on a drug because it has caused changes in its natural state of being. Opiates, tobacco, and alcohol are common drugs that cause physical dependency.

Just so, which type of dependence means a chemical need for a drug?

Chemical dependency. drug use. Alternative Titles: dependence, drug dependency. Chemical dependency, the body's physical and/or psychological addiction to a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance, such as narcotics, alcohol, or nicotine.

What drugs are physically addictive?

The 5 Most Addictive Substances On Earth

  1. Heroin.
  2. Alcohol.
  3. Cocaine.
  4. Barbiturates (“downers”) These substances are typically used to treat anxiety and induce sleep.
  5. Nicotine. Nicotine, the highly addictive substance found in tobacco products, is the most common addiction in America.

Related Question Answers

Abdesslem Melcon

Professional

What is the difference between a physical dependence and a psychological dependence on a drug?

The main difference between physical and psychological dependence is that physical dependence is marked by withdrawal symptoms that make you feel physically ill, while psychological dependence is marked by a persistent, strong urge to use drugs despite negative consequences.

Amelia Jakovchuk

Professional

When a person's body is dependent on a drug?

In medical terms, dependence specifically refers to a physical condition in which the body has adapted to the presence of a drug. If an individual with drug dependence stops taking that drug suddenly, that person will experience predictable and measurable symptoms, known as a withdrawal syndrome.

Djillali Lechosa

Professional

What are the main causes of drug abuse?

Various social factors such as social disorganization, peer pressures, family factors, genetic factors, emotional problems, and mental health problems have been proposed as the etiology of drug abuse.

Boukhiar Hornero

Explainer

How does physical dependence occur?

Physical dependence occurs when the brain adapts to the effects of a drug and develops tolerance. In other words, an individual will require more and more of the drug to achieve the initial positive effect and will rely on continued use of the drug to prevent painful and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Argiñe Guthrie

Explainer

Is dependence the same as addiction?

Addiction vs. Dependence. Addiction is a disease characterized by behavioral issues, and dependence refers to a physical reliance on a substance. The two conditions often occur at the same time, but a person can be dependent on a substance without being addicted to it.

Guanghui Visini

Explainer

How addictive is caffeine?

Caffeine is addictive because of the way that the drug affects the human brain and produces the alert feeling that people crave. Soon after caffeine is consumed, it's absorbed through the small intestine and dissolved into the bloodstream.

Eliza Puntas

Pundit

What are some warning signs that someone has a drug problem?

Physical warning signs
  • Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual.
  • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
  • Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
  • Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits.
  • Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
  • Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.

Kandice Kerebel

Pundit

What's the most addictive drug?

What Are the Most Addictive Drugs?
  1. Heroin. Nutt and colleagues ranked heroin as the most addictive drug.
  2. Cocaine. Cocaine was the next most addictive drug in the study.
  3. Nicotine. Tobacco use includes smoking, chewing or sniffing products that contain nicotine.
  4. Street Methadone.
  5. Barbiturates.

Urbici Eiskirch

Pundit

Which drugs are not addictive?

Sometimes when people say "drugs," they mean only the drugs that can lead to addiction. But if you use the word “drug” to mean all the medications that can treat illness, then most drugs aren't addictive: antibiotics, allergy medications, mild pain relievers like aspirin, and many others.

Rifat Gans

Pundit

What drugs cause the most damage to the brain?

The Most Damaging Drugs For Your Brain
  • Heroin. Heroin is an opioid that binds to opioid receptors in the brain to produce pleasure and pain relief.
  • Methamphetamine.
  • Cocaine.
  • Alcohol.
  • Overcoming Addiction at Drug Rehab.

Lars Vylko

Pundit

What is the most commonly used legal drug?

Marijuana (cannabis) refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant and is the most commonly used illicit substance. It is now legal in some states for medical and recreational use.

Gale Goirigolzarri

Teacher

What is the addictive chemical?

March 1, 2007 -- A brain chemical called dopamine may affect impulsivity and drug addiction, British researchers report.

Janice Spina

Teacher

What are some legal drugs?

Legal drugs
Some drugs, such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and various prescribed and over-the-counter medications, are legal but may be subject to restrictions based on age, location of use, driving and point of sale regulations.

Yueqin Zorach

Teacher

What is psychological dependence?

Psychological dependence is a state that involves emotional–motivational withdrawal symptoms, e.g. anxiety and anhedonia, upon cessation of drug use or certain behaviours. It develops through frequent exposure to a psychoactive substance or behaviour, though behavioural dependence is less talked about.

Anxela Rong

Teacher

What is physical dependence?

Physical dependence is a physical condition caused by chronic use of a tolerance-forming drug, in which abrupt or gradual drug withdrawal causes unpleasant physical symptoms. Protracted withdrawal syndrome is noted to be most often caused by benzodiazepines.

Xabat Oelbracht

Reviewer

Why do people become dependent?

People who become dependent on a drug may become tolerant to that drug. This means they need to use more and more of the drug to get the same effect or to avoid withdrawal symptoms. When people are dependent they believe they have to use the drug to do certain things or feel a certain way.

Nadir Possing

Reviewer

What it means to be addicted?

Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. In these circumstances, a person has a behavioral addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease that can also result from taking medications.

Ivie Clair

Reviewer

What is the difference between addiction and physical dependence?

Dependence is characterized by the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. While it is possible to have a physical dependence without being addicted, addiction is usually right around the corner. Addiction is marked by a change in behavior caused by the biochemical changes in the brain after continued substance abuse.

Yanameyaia Mambrilla

Reviewer

Is addiction a disease?

Addiction is defined as a disease by most medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Like diabetes, cancer and heart disease, addiction is caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental and biological factors.

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EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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24th May, 2020

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