Dependence can occur with both illicit substances and certain medications. Effective programs usually include many components, designed to help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and fulfill their obligations to their family and in the workplace. Most patients require long-term treatment, which can include medications, therapy, and addiction vs dependence residential programs.
- Addiction is a chronic condition, meaning it tends to persist over time and requires ongoing management.
- Dependence often responds well to medical management and supervised detoxification, while addiction requires a more comprehensive approach.
- A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf.
- If you notice these or other changes in someone you care about, it may be time to have a conversation about addiction.
- While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, addiction and dependence have different meanings.
- Many resources are available, including the best addiction recovery podcast, support groups, and professional treatment programs.
Choosing the Right Treatment Based on Diagnosis
- They continue using even when it harms their health, relationships, or daily functioning.
- According to the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there’s not really a distinction between dependence and abuse anymore.
- Addiction often stems from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and personal factors.
- When it comes to addressing addiction and dependence, effective treatment approaches are essential for promoting recovery and overall well-being.
While both involve the use of substances and can coexist, they refer to different aspects of substance use. Addiction often begins with a voluntary decision to use drugs or engage in certain behaviors. No one starts with the intention of becoming addicted, but repeated use over time can drastically diminish control, leading to compulsive use. We believe everyone deserves access to accurate, unbiased information about mental health and recovery.
Dependence vs. tolerance
One reason this confusion happens is because of how medical conditions are recorded. Doctors Halfway house use codes to label illnesses, but the codes used for addiction and dependence are not always clear. The system many doctors use (called ICD-9 or ICD-10) hasn’t been updated in a long time. These codes mix up addiction (which is a behavior issue) with dependence (which is a body’s natural reaction to long-term medicine use). Many risk factors contribute to a person becoming addicted to alcohol or other substances, including genetics, biology, environment, and life experiences. People can have just a physical dependence, addiction, or both at the same time.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
The terms “addiction” and “dependence” may sound interchangeable, but they mean different things. Most types of addiction include physical dependence—but that’s not always true. When you understand the difference between these issues, you can find the type of treatment that best suits your needs. Often psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression are co-occurring with substance use disorders. This can complicate your recovery and make it much more difficult to manage long-term.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp. Symptoms like headache, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, and excessive sweating are common symptoms of withdrawal. Each time a substance is taken, a flood of dopamine is released in this part of the brain. Addiction and dependence do have several similarities, hence why many confuse the two. If you are struggling with your alcohol or drug use, it can be helpful to explore these three definitions to determine whether there might be a problem.
They can get past the withdrawal symptoms without feeling like they must find a way to use opioids again. 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. However, they may still experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it. It can be hard to acknowledge that you’re living with substance use disorder. But if drug or alcohol use has started to negatively affect other aspects of your life, like your relationships, job, health or finances, it’s time to seek treatment.