When we talk about drugs and the different stages a person who uses them goes through, there are several terms we may come across. Abuse, tolerance, or relapse are among the most common, just to name a few. But there are also others, such as addiction and dependence, which, although they often go hand in hand, do not mean the same thing. In fact, on some occasions they have tended to be identified as the same, even though that is not exactly the case. Dependence and addiction represent two distinct stages that a person who abuses one or more drugs may go through. Being dependent means being at a stage prior to what is considered addiction. In this article, we will look at the differences between one term and the other, and how one moves from dependence to addiction.
What is dependence?
Dependence appears when repeated use of a substance creates a habitual pattern. In this sense, dependence refers to the need to continue using in order to avoid the negative effects of withdrawal. Among the adverse symptoms, these may be physical (headaches, tremors, fatigue, nausea, etc.) or psychological (anxiety, mood changes, or irritability, etc.). Here, it is important to distinguish between physical and psychological dependence.
Physical dependence occurs because the body adapts to a particular substance, while psychological dependence encompasses all the situations a person faces while using the substance or engaging in the addictive behaviour. Physical dependence differs in duration and intensity depending on the drug, but after a certain period of time the symptoms come to an end. Psychological dependence, on the other hand, lasts longer. That is why, during treatment, it is necessary to focus on managing the psychological aspects associated with use or behaviour.
In cases treated for dependence, the therapeutic process focuses on alleviating the symptoms produced by stopping use or the addictive behaviour (withdrawal syndrome). On the other hand, this process also seeks to provide tools to successfully manage and cope with detoxification or psychological dependence.
What is addiction?
We refer to addiction as a chronic illness that prevents a person from stopping use despite the negative consequences they experience in all areas of their life. Repeated use is linked to loss of control, as well as problems at work, or losing one’s job, family conflicts, conflicts with a partner, with friends, etc. It can reach the point where the addict’s life may even be put at risk due to substance use or the addictive behaviour itself.
In addiction, the addict’s only motivation in life is using the drug or engaging in the addictive behaviour. In addition, they neglect their obligations and the activities that previously gave them satisfaction. The addict loses absolute control over the substance and over their life. While the presence of dependence in a person does not mean they are addicted, addiction does mean the person is dependent.
From dependence to addiction
As we have seen, dependence and addiction are not the same. However, they are closely related, as both are stages a person may go through in their experience with substance abuse. In fact, dependence is a step prior to addiction. Obviously, the consequences for a dependent person are not as serious as those for an addict. An individual with dependence on a drug will still have control over the different areas of their life, whereas if they become addicted they will lose that control. On the other hand, the dependent person generally meets their obligations. In the case of addicts, obligations are not met, or they are, but inadequately.
As we said, a dependent person has control. This means they have other motivations in their life beyond use. In addition, negative consequences are a determining factor when it comes to stopping use. By contrast, a person who is in the addiction phase no longer controls anything. They have recurrent thoughts about using and when the next dose will be. As for the negative consequences this has in their life, they continue using despite them. They are completely unable to stop the pattern of use.
Another very significant difference relates to treatment. In a phase of dependence only, once detox and rehabilitation treatment has been completed, the patient does not necessarily have to lose control again. Dependence in itself is not a chronic illness. Addiction, on the other hand, is. That is why the patient must undergo ongoing follow-up throughout their life to prevent future relapses. If, after a detox process, they come into contact with the substance or behaviour again, they will experience a loss of control once more.
Regaining control
Dependence is a prior phase that everyone who abuses a substance goes through on a path whose final stop is addiction. Along this path, it is very important to recognise that you have a dependence and to want to leave it behind. This is the best way to avoid eventually developing an addiction, with the negative consequences that entails.
A dangerous aspect that is common to both dependent and addicted people is tolerance. This means that, to achieve the same effects as at the beginning, the user will progressively increase the doses. Added to this is withdrawal syndrome, that is, the symptoms associated with stopping use of the substance. These are two fundamental aspects addressed during the detox process. Whether a person is dependent or addicted, they need to know that it is possible to get out of their current situation. At CCAdicciones, we have the best professionals to help people regain control and live life to the fullest again.
