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With continued drug or alcohol abuse, the body adjusts its chemical balance to compensate for the effects of the drug. There is less of a hangover, but the effects are also felt less intensely, which may lead to increasing doses. These symptoms are not technically the same thing as physical «withdrawal» from a drug…. Therefore, psychological and physiological dependence should probably not be perceived as entirely separate entities, but rather two sides of the same coin. In fact, most modern evidence-based treatments are based on the understanding that there some crucial distinctions. Moreover, all psychological processes have physical underpinnings, and all complex behaviors have significant psychological elements.
Protracted withdrawal syndrome can last for months, years, or depending on individual factors, indefinitely. Protracted withdrawal syndrome is noted to be most often caused by benzodiazepines. To dispel the popular misassociation with addiction, physical dependence to medications is sometimes compared to dependence on insulin by persons with diabetes. Substance abuse treatment programs usually include psychiatric care. While your brain recovers from physical dependence on drugs, antidepressants or anti-anxiety pills may be prescribed as needed. Drug and alcohol addictions impact the reward center of the brain, and it can take time for chemicals to rebalance. The term psychological dependence is typically used to describe the emotional and mental processes that are related to the development of a substance use disorder or process addiction.
Physical and psychological dependence
With a growing epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse, many people are desperately seeking answers. They want to know why people become addicted and what causes addiction. The focus during treatment when the problem is more psychological is generally an evidence-based therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy . CBT is often a go-to approach because it focuses on changing patterns of thought and behavior that influence addiction. Treatment methods for psychological vs physical dependence are largely the same. For instance, both types of dependence can be addressed through therapy. However, the therapeutic focus necessary for rooting out a psychological dependence vs physical dependence will naturally be different.
What is the most common cause of addictive behavior?
The most common roots of addiction are chronic stress, a history of trauma, mental illness and a family history of addiction. Understanding how these can lead to chronic substance abuse and addiction will help you reduce your risk of becoming addicted.
Rather, psychological dependence occurs when there are marked changes in mood, emotional well-being, craving, and obsession that occur when you don’t do the activity. These changes interfere with other aspects of life, including work, sleep, social activities, relationships, etc. Several different treatment options are available to help people who are psychologically dependent on a substance. Treatment options include gradually decreasing the substance to lessen the negative symptoms, counseling, and taking a safer substance in place of the illegal or dangerous drug. Suddenly stopping a substance can be extremely hard for most individuals depending on the severity of their addiction.
High risk substances
When there is too much to be metabolized, it is absorbed by other parts of the body, including the brain. Specific trauma, stressors, people, locations, and events can be triggers. However, you can still choose to not take the substance while dealing with these triggers — with addiction, it’s almost impossible to not take the substance when in these situations. DisclaimerAll content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only.
Drug addiction treatment involves much more than treating physical dependence. Without addressing the reasons why you’ve been abusing drugs or alcohol, you’re likely to relapse. Substance abuse and mental health treatment helps you identify trauma, mental health challenges, relationship struggles, and other situations that often fuel addiction. You’ll start repairing these emotional wounds and learn healthier ways to cope with challenges. A wide range of drugs whilst not causing a true physical dependence can still cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound effects during dosage reduction or especially abrupt or rapid withdrawal.
Mental Dependence
Once you have safely rid your body of substances, you may still need medications and therapeutic interventions to deal with lingering physical symptoms. For example, opioid addiction treatment programs may include medication-assisted treatment . These are prescription drugs that act on your brain’s opioid receptors in ways that help ease physical withdrawal symptoms and reduce intense cravings. MAT is used in combination with behavior therapy and support groups.
It helps patients recognize that thoughts and feelings ultimately turn into negative behaviors. However, the difference is an emphasis on validation physiological dependence on alcohol and accepting that these thoughts and feelings happen. Dependence isn’t necessarily an addiction because drugs can improve a person’s life.
Patient discussion about dependence
Addiction is a complex disease with both physical and mental aspects. It’s the response to substances like drugs or alcohol altering their brain chemistry.
- Other withdrawal symptoms, like those mentioned in the coffee example, are just uncomfortable.
- Depending on the addiction, it was previously thought to be either one or the other.
- This means the cells can’t function the way they have been without the drug they have become accustomed to.
- When you want to quit your drug, your emotional or mental needs make stopping your use harder.
- Read on to learn more about the relationship between these two conditions.
These centers, which are often in-patient facilities, specialize in treating SUD. Addiction is interchangeable with the term SUD, and physical dependence falls under the SUD umbrella. Although some people may use the terms interchangeably, physical dependence does differ from addiction. SUD can result in behavioral, physical, and social changes, such as mood changes, deterioration of appearance, and strained relationships with friends and family. This article will discuss what physical dependence is, as well as its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Over time, you realized you need your drug to keep from feeling “dope sick.” Dope sick is withdrawal.