Drug dependence refers to a condition in which an individual develops a physical or emotional reliance on a substance. This reliance can lead to severe effects on the user’s functioning, social life, and physical health.
The most widely recognized type of drug dependence is that of addiction, in which the user has a chronic and compulsive urge to use the substance, even when they understand the potentially harmful ramifications that could potentially occur.
Other types of drug dependence include physical dependence, psychological dependence, and social dependence.
Physical dependence is when an individual’s body has grown accustomed to functioning in the presence of a specific drug, and removing or indeed, reducing the amount of this drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremors, and increased heart rate.
Psychological dependence occurs when a person develops cravings for the drug, which leads to a feeling of euphoria when using it, and an urgent need to find and use the drug, especially when they are feeling down or having a bad day.
Social dependence is when a person relies on using the drug to be able to socialize more comfortably, and they may also use it to help them to relax or feel more confident in social environments.
Drug dependence is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, and it is important to seek professional help if you think that you or a loved one may be addicted to a drug.
Table of Contents
What are types of drug dependence?
Drug dependence is the physical or psychological need to continue taking a substance or drug in order to function normally. Dependence can occur in many forms, ranging from mild to severe. Depending on the type of drug and the amount used, different types of physical tolerance and psychological dependence can occur.
The three types of drug dependence are physical dependence, psychological dependence, and cross-tolerance.
Physical dependence occurs when the body develops a tolerance for a drug, such that more and more of the substance must be administered to produce the same effect. Withdrawal symptoms can then occur when the drug use is stopped.
These withdrawal symptoms are often the opposite of the drug’s effects, such as those associated with opiates like heroin or methadone.
Psychological dependence occurs when the user of a substance develops a compulsive need to keep using the drug to feel normal. This can occur for various reasons, like an inability to feel content or an inability to cope with day-to-day life without using the drug.
Finally, cross-tolerance occurs when the body becomes tolerant to a specific class of drugs, such as opiates or benzodiazepines. In cross-tolerance, the user of a drug will need larger doses of the drug to achieve the same effect, and this can often lead to serious health problems due to drug overdose.
In summary, drug dependence can occur in three forms: physical dependence, psychological dependence, and cross-tolerance. Each form of dependence carries its own risks and can have serious health implications if not addressed.
What is an example of dependent drug?
Dependent drugs, also known as habit-forming or addictive drugs, are those that cause physical or psychological dependence. Dependent drugs produce increasingly intense effects with repeated consumption, inducing the person to keep using it.
Common examples of dependent drugs include opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl and morphine), alcohol, benzodiazepines (such as Valium and Xanax), stimulants (such as cocaine and methamphetamine), and cannabis.
When taken regularly, such drugs cause the body to become dependent on them to function normally. Withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting, sweating, feeling irritable, anxious, and difficulty focusing, are common when going through the dependency process.
As people continue to use the drug at increasing amounts and frequency, tolerance to the drug builds, meaning people need to take higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effects. In extreme cases, taking more of the drug can lead to serious health risks, including death.
Furthermore, people may continue to take the drug despite its negative consequences, such as legal troubles and family discord.
What are the 4 DSM 5 criteria for addiction?
The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, outlines the criteria for addiction.
The four main criteria for addiction, as outlined in the DSM-5, are as follows:
1. Impaired control: This means an individual’s inability to limit or stop their use of a substance, even when it is causing significant problems in their lives.
2. Craving or strong desire or urge to use the substance: This means the individual has an intense desire to engage in the behaviour or use the substance in question.
3. Substance use in larger quantities or for longer periods of time than intended: This means the individual has the intention to use a substance or engage in a behaviour, but they use it excessively.
4. Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused by or exacerbated by the use: This means that the addiction has become so strong that it is creating major problems in the user’s relationships or other areas of their life, such as work or school.
What is ASAM criteria?
ASAM Criteria is an evidence-based set of guidelines for assessing and treating individuals with substance use and addiction disorders. Developed in the United States, the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) criteria are designed to provide a comprehensive approach to care that is individualized to each patient’s condition.
The criteria include six primary dimensions: withdrawal potential, biophysical signs and symptoms, emotional/behavioral status, mediated conditions, readiness to change, and relapse/continued use potential.
The ASAM Criteria are used to inform decisions on placement and treatment planning. They are also used to identify areas of intervention, providing clinicians and treatment providers with guidance on how to best meet the needs of each patient.
In doing so, the ASAM Criteria aim to help clinicians provide quality and effective addiction treatment services.
What are the six major characteristics of addictive behavior?
The six major characteristics of addictive behavior are impulsivity, salience, tolerance, mood modification, relapse and emotional dysregulation.
Impulsivity involves an intense, sudden urge to consume a substance or engage in an activity, even if it isn’t necessarily positive or beneficial. Impulsivity can lead to an emotional loss of control and feeling of powerlessness against the urge.
Salience occurs when a behavior, such as substance use or gambling, becomes the focus of an individual’s life, supplanting other interests and activities.
Tolerance occurs when a person needs larger amounts of a substance or activity to produce the desired effects. As tolerance grows, users often become dependent on more potent substances or more frequent activities.
Mood modification occurs when an individual turns to a substance or behavior in order to regulate their emotions.
Relapse is the recurrence of addictive behavior after periods of abstinence. Relapse can be triggered by environmental cues or stressors.
Emotional dysregulation occurs when an individual’s emotions are out of balance. This can manifest as feelings of boredom, isolation, irritability, or depression, which can increase an individual’s vulnerability to relapse.
What are the 7 Addictions?
The 7 addictions are substance-related addictions, such as Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Smoking, Gambling, Shopping, Sex and Internet Addiction.
Alcoholism refers to the dependency on and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Drug abuse involves the use of illegal substances or overuse of prescription drugs. Smoking is an addiction to nicotine and other tobacco-related products.
Gambling is an addiction to the activity of betting and wagering, with the expectation of winning money or material possessions. Shopping addiction is an obsession with purchasing items or an inability to control spending habits.
Sex addiction is an excessive preoccupation or compulsive obsession with sexual activities or fantasies. Internet addiction is a behavioral disorder characterized by preoccupation with the internet, inability to control its use, and the detrimental effects this has on one’s life.
Overall, these seven addictions all involve the individual being unable to control their compulsion, despite clear evidence that this behavior is damaging to themselves and/or others. As such, seeking professional help is strongly advised.
