The Difference Between Psychological, Physiological Dependence and Addiction

Mental dependence is when use of a substance is a conditioned response to an event or feeling. These are known as “triggers.” Something as simple as the act of driving can trigger a desire to use. These triggers set off biochemical changes in a person’s brain that strongly influence addictive behavior.

Yet, it gives people the tools to change their behavior in spite of how they think and feel. A full-service rehabilitation center has programs that will help patients overcome the psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Treatment without detox beforehand can be much less effective. So, medication prescribed by a doctor can still result in a physical dependence.

“Allowed me to build a life for myself.”

Therefore, if you wake up in the morning and are feeling symptoms of withdrawal, or they happen during the day (depending on when you last took your medication or substance of choice), then you’ll need to make a change. Unlike tolerance, which focuses on how much of the substance you need to feel its effect, physical dependence happens when your body starts to rely on the drug. If you were to suddenly stop using it, you would likely experience some harsh symptoms. Today, the APA classifies substance use disorders as mild, moderate, or severe.

In truth, addiction doesn’t happen overnight and it rarely happens if you take an opioid once. Most people first go through physiological dependence, and psychological dependence before they become a true addiction is formed. If you believe you https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/anger-and-alcoholism/ have an addiction, it’s never too late to look for help. Working with a health care professional will allow you to explore the options to treat your addiction. If you develop a tolerance to a substance, it becomes less effective for you.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

In fact, most modern evidence-based treatments are based on the understanding that there some crucial distinctions. Psychological vs. Physiological Dependence – The idea that behavior can be divided into components independent of each other, such as being purely mental or physical, does not mesh with what we now know about behavior and the processes that influence it. Moreover, all psychological processes have physical underpinnings, and all complex behaviors have significant psychological elements. 6A third FDA-approved medication to treat alcohol dependence (disulfiram; Antabuse®) targets alcohol metabolism.

Until you give in, your body reminds you with painful and intrusive withdrawal symptoms that you need another fix. Physiological dependence can happen with the chronic use of most drugs—including many types of prescription drugs, even when they are taken as instructed by a physician. Thus, physical dependence does not necessarily constitute addiction. This distinction can be difficult to discern, especially regarding prescribed pain medications, for which needing increasing dosages can represent tolerance.

The Science Behind a Physical Dependence

Speak with your doctor if you have become physically dependent on a medication or other substance. At North Jersey Recovery Center, we strive to make your physiological dependence on alcohol addiction treatment experience as comfortable as possible. Dialectical behavior therapy builds on the foundation of cognitive behavioral therapy.

These terms can be confusing but, in fact, they are both parts of the physiology of addiction. Scientists are increasingly understanding the links between brain chemicals, hormonal triggers, the nervous system, and consciousness. Separating the body and mind when treating drug dependence would be counterproductive. The addiction impacts the whole person, so the person needs healing in all aspects. Physiological dependence describes these pervasive changes to how the mind and body function as a result of continued drug or alcohol use. Understanding how drug dependence works will help you or your loved ones create realistic expectations of the challenges ahead.

What is Physical Dependence?

Some estimates suggest approximately 90 percent of people recovering from opioid addiction and 75 percent of people recovering from alcohol addiction or other substance addictions will have symptoms of PAWS. People who struggle with psychological dependence perceive a need to use even if they aren’t trying to avoid physical discomfort by using. Cravings, irritability, and fatigue are typically present when someone is suffering from psychological dependence. Depression, obsession, and anger are all common experiences during psychological dependence as well. Physical dependence or addiction happens when the body is no longer able to legitimately function without the presence of a drug.

Some addiction therapists believe psychological dependence is tougher to quit and requires more extensive aftercare. Once the substances are out of the body, and the body begins to heal, the person may continue to suffer from the psychological consequences. Finding the right treatment facility and support system can make enduring the symptoms of withdrawal more manageable.

Psychological dependence is a term that describes the emotional or mental components of substance use disorder, such as strong cravings for the substance or behavior and difficulty thinking about anything else. When hobbies like boating, fishing or crafting no longer have a place in your life as it did before, it is a sign of dependence on substance abuse. When drugs take over and they are more important than hobbies previously enjoyed this is a social implication of dependency.

Believing the person can relinquish the substance at any time is another social symptom of an addict. Even less problematic discomforts, such as sweating and teary eyes, are both attributes of physical addictive dependence versus psychological addictive dependence. So, as we delve deeper into the mechanics of addiction, keep in mind that there are new treatments which will guide you through these stages and forward into full recovery. If you or a loved one need help, start with us at Direct2Recovery. As we stated earlier, we’re an outpatient Suboxone clinic that is dedicated to help as many patients as we can to overcome their addiction and begin to live life at its fullest once again.

Peer Support

Another way to view psychological dependence vs physical dependence is that people with a physical dependence continue abusing a drug to avoid negative physical symptoms. Meanwhile, people with a psychological dependence continue abusing a drug to maintain emotional stability and mental health. People who have a physical dependence on a substance, such as drugs or alcohol, will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the substance or reduce the amount of substance used. Instead, it results from prolonged and frequent substance abuse. Some drugs, like alcohol and benzodiazepines, can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Other drugs, like opioids, may not be as dangerous but can still be difficult to quit on your own.

When suffering from addiction, people deal with a wide variety of issues and challenges that they must overcome. Although the first step towards getting sober is admitting you have a problem and asking for help, the next step is identifying your specific needs so that your treatment plan is best tailored to your situation. This is why, upon enrolling at an addiction treatment center, you will complete an assessment that will gain an understanding of your physical and psychological symptoms. As previously noted, increased anxiety represents a significant component of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Importantly, this negative-affect state may contribute to increased risk for relapse as well as perpetuate continued use and abuse of alcohol (Becker 1999; Driessen et al. 2001; Koob 2003; Roelofs 1985). Indeed, both preclinical and clinical studies suggest a link between anxiety and propensity to self-administer alcohol (Henniger et al. 2002; Spanagel et al. 1995; Willinger et al. 2002).