What is addiction and dependence?

Question

what is the difference of drug addiction to drug dependence? please explain thoroughly and please do state examples for each. thank you very much!

Answer 1

okay...here you go: i take adderall xr and xanax xr every morning. some days, i don't feel like i need one of them.

addiction: i feel like i need xanax in order to live. i would do anything to get it in my system. doesn't matter how. (hence, your body doesn't need it but your mind thinks it does)

dependence: my body has become dependent on this drug, meaning that if I don't take it in the morning then my body goes into shock, and i start feeling light headed and rapid heart racing, even just sitting at home. (hence, my body DOES need it, but my body doesn't think it does)

both suck. (and my body has become dependent on xanax, even though i don't want it to be)

Source(s):

personal experience

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Answer 2

There is much debate from the difference of these two words. The effects of drug abuse can leave a fine line between these two words and there is much debate. Being addicted often involves being physically and mentally dependent. However, an individual who is dependent on drugs can still want to begin treatment for their addiction.

Source(s):

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/cont…
http://www.executivesoberliving.com

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