Difference Between Addiction and Dependence

If you were to suddenly stop using it, you would likely experience some harsh symptoms. Against the backdrop of the presidential campaign, the prevention of substance abuse has recently become a politically charged issue. Quoting Bob Dole, the Republican https://ecosoberhouse.com/ nominee, newspaper accounts blame the Clinton administration’s “silence on the matter” for the recent increase in substance abuse among adolescents. National leaders have an important role to play in preventing substance abuse, notes J.

Standard Outpatient Programs

This increase is reflected in the report that, every day, 3,000 children and teens begin smoking.12 The 1995 NHSDA reported also that, every day in 1994, approximately 6,300 individuals began using marijuana. The 1995 data reflect a continuing increase in the use of hallucinogens and inhalants, as well as marijuana, among the nation’s youth. ‘Dependence’ is a term used to describe a person’s physical and psychological addiction vs dependence loss of control due to substance abuse. If a person uses many drugs and develops a physical dependence on these drugs, that person is usually described as dependent. Long-term inpatient treatment programs vary in length, but typically last between 3 to 18 months. This type of rehab is best suited to individuals with long-term chronic addictions, especially those who have co-occurring mental health issues.

Causes of Substance Use

• We know opioids, for example, can be highly addictive, and that addiction can develop quickly.
• In fact, for some people, trying a substance or using it occasionally can be the first step of developing substance use disorder.
• For example, public laws determine which substances are legal or illegal, and how much of a substance can be legally consumed.
• But the ICD has yet to catch up and since American billing systems and other records often rely on ICD, this conflation continues to cause problems both in the United States and rest of the world.
• Short-term inpatient centers typically start with medical detox and are followed by a program of addiction treatment, such as therapy or counseling for 30 to 90 days.

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. Like all chronic illness, a family history puts people at higher risk for developing the illness. Sometimes, severe withdrawal symptoms require monitoring from doctors in a hospital setting. Recognizing the differences between dependence and addiction is crucial for tailoring effective treatment and recovery strategies.

What Is Alcohol Dependence?

This change also provided clarity, since previously, the definition of dependence was narrower and only referred to physiological dependence. Drug abuse and addiction (now more commonly known as “substance use disorder” or “problematic substance use”) have led to a major health crisis in the U.S. Not only are millions of Americans struggling with substance use disorder, but in 2014 alone, there were more than 45,000 overdose deaths, over half of which involved prescription opioids and heroin.

APA’s Division 28 promotes teaching, research, and dissemination of information regarding the effects of drugs on behavior. You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery. Even the people who dedicate their lives to researching addiction, and who are responsible for the very medical texts that we use to diagnose addiction, haven’t been able to arrive at a clear consensus about which terms should be used. If you or someone close to you is struggling with substance misuse or abuse, talk to your doctor. Regardless of what term you use to describe a substance misuse issue, Mr. Kump emphasizes that the key is to understand that treatment is available.

Khary Rigg helped draft the manuscript, revised it critically for intellectual content, and approved the final published version. Sarah Wakeman revised the manuscript for intellectual content and approved the final published version. While much of the confusion about this topic can be traced to DSM committees, I would caution against an oversimplified blame game. The topic itself is inherently complicated and confusing, and it’s situated in the context of an evolving medical and cultural milieu. You may wonder whether these folks had an addiction or a dependency on their drug of choice. Addiction causes cravings, compulsive behavior, and changes in the brain.

• Long-term inpatient treatment programs vary in length, but typically last between 3 to 18 months.
• The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that chronic and prolonged meth exposure can damage as many as half of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain and potentially even more of the serotonin-containing nerve cells.
• “There are many counselors, coaches, and support group meetings that can help you understand and learn more about it.

What’s the Difference Between Addiction and Dependence? Actually, the Term That Matters Most Is ‘Treatment’

Medical Disclaimer

• Medical and substance abuse communities have found that there are neurochemical differences between a normal brain and an addict’s brain.
• If the person’s healthcare provider determines that their substance use is problematic and they have substance use disorder, they may require treatment.
• Fortunately, Volkow and her colleagues’ argument carried the day with the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 committee in 2013.
• Other common substances that cause dependence are nicotine and pain relievers, particularly narcotics.