Often, both professionals and the general public are unaware of the most basic concepts of drug dependence, leading them to misinterpret the facts that may occur. Whether due to lack of knowledge or confusion, it is vital to understand the differences between drug tolerance, dependence and addiction in order to correctly label the lifestyle of a person who uses narcotics.
In many cases, the incorrect use of a term to describe an addict’s situation leads people to think it means the same as the correct word. As a result, it is common to come across people who end up using an incorrect description to refer to a situation. This is the case, for example, with the difficulty in distinguishing between a person’s capacity for tolerance and the fact that they suffer from an addiction.
Drug tolerance and dependence refer to the physical consequences caused by a substance, whereas addiction is linked to a need to engage in harmful behaviours. Therefore, drugs affect the development of tolerance and a person’s physical dependence, which can ultimately lead to addiction.
More specifically, drug tolerance involves a person’s physical response to repeated drug use. However, it does not necessarily imply a sign of addiction. To refer to this, it is necessary to take into account the different levels of tolerance that exist:
- Acute tolerance: Develops in the short term or immediately after use.
- Chronic tolerance: Develops over the long term or when a person’s body adapts to frequent use. The amount consumed must be progressively increased to feel the same effects as the first time.
- Learned tolerance: Develops due to consistent repeated use over a very long period. It disappears when the habit is stopped or changed.
Finally, dependence is specifically linked to the physical condition in which the body has adapted to the presence of a substance. If a person with drug dependence suddenly stops taking a toxic substance, they will experience the symptoms and side effects of withdrawal. From this moment on, the individual will suffer a physical need that will turn them into an addict. Consequently, they will establish a relationship of psychological dependence with the drug that will compel them, through a change in behaviour, to use again.
