Drug dependence is not addiction and it matters PMC

In these cases, treatment involves gradually tapering off the drug over a set period to reduce withdrawal effects. A person can have an addiction without necessarily having a physical dependence. Similarly, a person can have a physical dependence on a drug without feeling compelled to use it.

Addiction and dependence for alcohol

In terms of gender, none of the reviewed studies found gender to be a significant predictor of CUD treatment outcomes, which aligns with the existing literature on this topic [45]. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the importance of considering gender-specific variables when approaching treatment and incorporating them into the strategies for addressing specific vulnerable groups. For instance, women who are victims of gender-based violence present a greater risk of engaging in substance use behaviors [46]. Higher baseline craving appears to be predictive of relapse in CUD, but only limited data are available [7, 14, 18]. However, it is important to note that craving can have a different impact depending on the setting where it appears.

The Effects of Opiate Addiction on Your Thinking and How Methadone Maintenance Treatment Helps

When craving occurs in hospitalization settings its management do not turn out so complex since there are more available resources to face it (e.g. immediate care from nursing staff, availability of pharmacological options to address craving, etc.). In contrast, when craving occurs in outpatient settings the patient needs to be more trained in accessing craving management abilities and strategies to prevent relapse, which is a more probable outcome due to the lack of immediate resources. Despite this, craving is a widely observable component in real-life clinical https://ecosoberhouse.com/ practice that predicts worse CUD treatment outcomes. By contrast, fewer withdrawal symptoms predict less cocaine use severity (lower ASI scores) and no self-reported cocaine use in the previous weeks [10, 25], as well as longer abstinence at baseline does [14, 23, 41]. In terms of self-efficacy levels higher scores were also predictors of continued and long-term abstinence [28]. Impulsivity plays an important role in substance use disorders, including CUD, and several studies have found that baseline impulsivity is a robust predictor of treatment outcomes.

What Is Physical Dependence?

As a consequence, the diagnostic category of “substance dependence” stayed with us through the DSM-IV, until it was dropped in 2013 in the DSM-5, along with the diagnostic category of “substance abuse.” Tolerance can be a critical factor in both dependence and the development of substance use disorder. It occurs when the body becomes accustomed to a substance’s presence, necessitating higher doses for the same effects. Tolerance develops due to various physiological mechanisms, including changes in receptor sensitivity and neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

• They will tend to be secretive about their use and will need the drug to function normally.
• Psychological addiction can lead to obsessive thinking about the substance and difficulty managing life without it.
• We know opioids, for example, can be highly addictive, and that addiction can develop quickly.
• Give us a call today to speak with one of our representatives about how Clear Behavioral Health can help you begin the healing process from alcohol or drug abuse and or mental disorders.

Opiate Addiction Treatment Considerations

Current evidence indicates which variables have a direct influence on treatment outcomes, including well-studied cocaine use-related variables. However, additional variables, such as genetic markers, appear to have a high impact on treatment outcomes and need further study. While the prospect of methadone dependence can be disheartening, methadone’s stabilizing effects enable a person addiction vs dependence to abstain from continued drug use while taking the necessary steps towards rebuilding his or her life. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, methadone dependence develops in much the same way as dependence to any opiate-type drug develops. While nowhere as addictive or harmful as other opiates, methadone nonetheless has an opiate-based chemical makeup.

• Before you decide to stop drinking, talk to a healthcare provider to determine what treatment options are available and whether you would benefit from medical supervision during detox.
• But consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time can also be deadly, as it may lead to alcohol poisoning or other dangers like motor vehicle accidents.
• Addiction is marked by a change in behavior caused by the biochemical changes in the brain after continued substance abuse.
• This article discusses alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and the key differences between them.

For example, a person with a caffeine dependence who stops drinking coffee may have withdrawal symptoms for a few days but then feel better. When someone is taking meth, they are alert and energized, and can stay awake for long periods of time. When meth wears off, however, a significant “crash” generally occurs, leaving individuals feeling fatigued, lethargic, hungry, depressed, and anxious. As a result, meth is commonly taken in a binge pattern, often called a “run,” where small amounts of meth are taken every few hours for a couple days to prolong the high. Four RCTs found that a negative urine sample predicted three continuous weeks of abstinence, a 50% reduction in drug problem severity, and no self-reported cocaine use at the end of treatment [10, 21, 25, 32]. This variable was also a significant predictor of long-term abstinence (up to 6 months after treatment completion) [14, 23, 41].

Part of the reason for the change was the confusion surrounding the word ‘dependence.’ The hope is that defining an addiction as a substance use disorder was a more inclusive way to identify people who need help, but may not have a debilitating addiction. When people use the term “dependence,” they are usually referring to a physical dependence on a substance. While it is possible to have a physical dependence without being addicted, addiction is usually right around the corner. The predictive capacity of a negative urine test was stronger when combined with cocaine withdrawal symptoms (measured by the CSSA). More specifically, a negative urine drug test combined with lower scores on the CSSA was the best predictor for ≥ 3 continuous weeks of abstinence, a 50% reduction in drug problem severity, and no self-reported cocaine use at the end of treatment [10, 21, 25]. Moreover, a single positive urine test at treatment entry was a significant predictor of non-abstinence at the end of treatment [21].

In fact, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), who are the developers of the DSM, nonchalantly utilize the terms “substance use disorder” and “addiction” interchangeably on their website. Psychological addiction, on the other hand, focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of reliance on a substance. It’s characterized by intense cravings and a preoccupation with obtaining and using the substance, often driven by pleasurable sensations or relief it provides. Psychological addiction can lead to obsessive thinking about the substance and difficulty managing life without it.

These centers also vary in terms of their provision of amenities, which range from basic to luxury options. Dependence, on the other hand, is characterized by a physical and psychological loss of control due to substance abuse. For example, physical dependence occurs when the body is reliant on the chemical interactions caused by a drug or substance. In this case, medical support may be required to help wean the individual off the drug. However, in this state, a person can be physically dependent on the medication, but not addicted.