Addiction and dependence are words that are often used interchangeably to describe substance abuse. However, each of these conditions has completely different meanings and require their own unique treatments in a drug and alcohol rehab setting.
What is the real difference between dependence and addiction, and how can you tell whether you’re suffering from one or the other, or both?
Here’s a closer look at dependence and addiction, along with available treatment options for each.
What Is Chemical Dependence?
Chemical dependence is also commonly referred to as drug dependence, alcohol dependence, or physical dependence. Dependence is the physical component of substance use disorders and is characterized by the onset of withdrawal symptoms when a person suddenly stops using drugs or alcohol.
People who suffer from chemical dependence need a certain amount of drugs and alcohol in order to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.
What causes chemical dependence? People who repeatedly use drugs and alcohol will eventually develop a tolerance to these substances when using average amounts and may start increasing their intake to achieve the desired effects, such as euphoria. Over time, using these higher amounts can lead to chemical dependence.
Certain drugs are more prone to causing chemical dependence than others. Opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, and methamphetamine are examples of substances that can quickly lead to chemical dependence when used regularly and in high amounts.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction, as it relates to drug and alcohol abuse, is also known as psychological dependence or a substance use disorder, and is characterized by a set of compulsive drug-seeking and drug-use behaviors. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing mental illness and can happen to anyone who misuses drugs and alcohol or who becomes physically dependent on these substances.
Addiction cannot often be controlled without professional therapy and training at an addiction treatment center. People who suffer from addiction are usually unable to control drug and alcohol use despite numerous attempts to do so, and may spend a great deal of time obtaining and using drugs and recovering from their effects. These individuals may also experience strong urges to use drugs and alcohol, and they may start failing at work, school, and in their personal lives. They may lose interest in favorite long-held hobbies and continue using drugs and alcohol even when they know it’s dangerous to do so.
Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to permanent changes in brain structure and function that trigger the onset of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. These mental illnesses, as well as the addiction, may only worsen as time goes on since many who have these co-occurring disorders will continue using drugs and alcohol in an attempt to escape or treat mental health symptoms.
The Difference Between Dependence and Addiction
When it comes to examining addiction and dependence, addiction can be viewed as the psychological part of a substance use disorder, while chemical dependence can be viewed as the physical part. Addiction encompasses a range of behavioral and mental symptoms, while chemical dependence encompasses mostly physical symptoms.
Anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms are often shared between addiction and dependence, since these symptoms can be triggered by withdrawal or can occur as a result of being addicted to drugs and alcohol.
A few other differences between physical dependence and addiction include:
- Physical dependence that is often marked by feelings of illness and sickness due to withdrawal from suddenly stopping drug and alcohol use.
- Physical dependence that can affect anyone who misuses prescription drugs and alcohol, or who uses illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine. People who are dependent on drugs aren’t always necessarily addicted to them.
- An inability to stop using drugs even after quitting numerous times.
- Neglecting other important life areas related to school, work, and family in order to obtain and use drugs.
Since addiction and dependence commonly co-occur, many drug rehab centers treat both conditions at the same time along with any existing mental health disorders. Leaving any one of these conditions untreated can lead to relapse and worsened problems later on.
For example, those who suffer from depression and who only receive treatment for addiction and dependence may start abusing drugs again later on in an effort to cope with symptoms of depression.
Dependence vs. Addiction: What Are Your Treatment Options?
Chemical dependence is commonly treated using detoxification. Drug and alcohol detox allows you to withdraw from these substances in a safe, stable medical environment surrounded by trained nurses and doctors who can minimize and treat your withdrawal symptoms.
This helps reduce the risk of complications, like malnutrition, dehydration, and heart problems that can occur in those recovering from severe chemical dependency.
Detox can take anywhere from two to 10 days, depending on the substances and amounts being used. Severe cases of dependency may take 10 days or longer. In some instances, detox can take place in the form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or medication maintenance.
These methods replace the drug of abuse with medications that minimize withdrawal symptoms, including drug cravings. Your doctor will taper you off these drugs gradually over the course of several weeks or months until you’re no longer dependent on them or need them to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction is commonly treated using a wide range of evidence-based therapies that focus on changing and improving harmful drug-seeking and drug-use behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to change negative thoughts and behaviors surrounding the addiction, while group therapy helps you recover from isolation and spend time with peers who understand what you’re experiencing.
Family therapy, 12-step support groups, individual counseling, and dialectical behavior therapy are other forms of therapies that may help you identify and recover from the root cause of your addiction.
All treatments for addiction and dependence are customized specifically for each individual patient. If you are suffering from either of these serious conditions, Legacy Treatment Services can develop an individualized treatment plan to help you achieve long-term sobriety. Browse our locations to find a treatment center near you, or call us directly at 800-433-7365 to learn more about our available services.
References:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-use-addiction-basics
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/tolerance-dependence-addiction-whats-difference