Substance Use Disorders vs Substance Abuse and Dependence: DSM-5 changes » Online Graduate Certificate in Addiction and Recovery » College of Medicine » University of Florida Leave a comment

It is characterized by withdrawal symptoms with the patient being unable to cope when the drug is stopped. Another characteristic is tolerance i.e., a progressively higher dosage of the drug is needed before the body can feel its desired impact. In general, all use of drugs in a way that was not prescribed, or illicit drug use can be seen as substance abuse.

More specific examples of triggers could be anxiety, an argument with a loved one, or strong urges to use. Addiction and dependence are two separate conditions relating to substance abuse. Yet because the terms are used interchangeably, the line between them often gets blurred. While drug addiction affects the reward pathways of the brain (including the mesolimbic pathway and the mesocortical pathway), dependence affects the thalamus and brainstem.

Addiction vs. Abuse: Understanding the Differences

Mark eventually develops a physical dependence on alcohol, as it’s an addictive substance. He decides to cut out this bad habit, but he soon starts drinking again. Now he drinks ten or fifteen beers every night, and he sometimes blacks out. Since he can’t stop even though he wants to, his dependence has turned into an addiction. Alcohol abuse was defined as a condition in which a person continues to drink despite recurrent social, interpersonal, health, or legal problems as a result of their alcohol use. A person who abuses alcohol may also be dependent on alcohol, but they may also be able to stop drinking without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

In addition, symptoms must not meet the criteria for substance dependence for the class of substance. A diagnosis of substance dependence supersedes that of substance abuse. According to the DSM-5, it is possible to meet diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder without having tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. That said, for many, but not all, substances, tolerance and withdrawal are often part of the package of symptoms of a https://ecosoberhouse.com/ substance use disorder. The solution in the DSM-5 was to combine the categories of “substance dependence” and “substance abuse” into one category called “substance use disorder” under a chapter heading called Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. The purposeful use of the term “Addictive Disorders” in the naming of this chapter was primarily due to the addition of “gambling disorder” to the DSM, a non-substance-related disorder.

Substance Use Disorder

Those with moderate to severe alcohol use disorders generally require outside help to stop drinking. This could include detoxification, medical treatment, professional rehab or counseling, and/or self-help group support. People who are addicted to a substance use it even if it has no medical benefit. They use the substance no matter what and despite the consequences. Addictions are more likely to result in serious harm, including suicide, unlike tolerance and physical dependence. Physical dependence is a natural expected physiological response to drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, stimulants, and corticosteroids.

Be sure to speak with your primary care physician if you have concerns about any medications you are taking and the potential for dependency and addiction. Because consistent substance abuse in the context of addiction causes a chronic dysfunction of the brain’s reward system, it may affect memory, personality, and sense of motivation. These changes may develop into a compulsive addiction vs dependence or obsessive pursuit of the “reward” or sense of euphoria that substance highs provide for the body. Addiction, thus, can create a type of “tunnel vision” and cause the individual to focus on solely on the next fulfillment of their craving. Therapy can be in the form of counseling, behavioral therapy, self-help groups, group therapy, mindfulness, or a combination of modalities.

Is There a Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?

With differences stemming from their effects and length of time of the behavior, the two are distinguished from one another in recovery and professional settings. Dependence is typically a physical reliance on a drug, also characterized by symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. An individual who is dependent on a drug may have a high tolerance, and needs to ingest higher dosages to feel the drug’s effects.

• His business depends on buying properties for as little as $4,000 to $6,000 — including former drug houses — and then fixing them up himself for another $20,000 or so.
• Addiction, thus, can create a type of “tunnel vision” and cause the individual to focus on solely on the next fulfillment of their craving.
• Different prevention methods can be used depending on whether the substance is prescribed or can be found over-the-counter or elsewhere.
• We know that the difference between addiction and dependence is often challenging to understand.