Do I Have An Addiction? The Difference Between Physical Dependence And Addiction

Physical dependence and addiction are two terms that are commonly conflated, even among some medical professionals. But they’re not one and the same.

Someone who is addicted to a drug is often physically dependent on it, but having physical dependence does not necessarily mean you or a loved one has an addiction.

Read more about dependence vs. addiction below.

What Is Physical Drug Dependence?

Physical dependence is a condition that can develop through chronic, regular drug or alcohol use.

This is a normal biological response to the use of a habit-forming substance and is typically associated with drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

Signs Of Physical Drug Dependence

Substance dependence can be thought of as a physical reliance on a drug.

As a result, you might feel “off” or experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using that drug altogether, or if you attempt to cut down on your drug use very quickly.

Signs of physical dependence can include:

• developing drug tolerance (needing a higher dose to feel the desired effect)
• feeling sick if you skip a dose of a drug or medication
• symptoms of withdrawal within hours to days of last use

How Long Does It Take To Become Physically Dependent On A Drug?

The timeline for this can vary. With some substances, including certain prescription drugs, you can begin to develop dependence within weeks of daily use.

Factors that can affect this include:

• the type of drug
• the frequency of use
• the dose taken
• the method of use/route of drug administration

Physical drug dependence is not inherently dangerous by itself. Although, the risks of this can vary somewhat depending on the type of drug taken and the nature of your drug use.

Generally, what this means is that you’ll likely need to develop a plan with a clinician on how to gradually taper your dose or wean off a drug without causing too much distress.

Is Addiction The Same As Drug Dependence?

Not quite. Addiction is a term that is generally used to describe a physical and psychological reliance on an addictive substance, or as a term that’s synonymous with substance use disorder.

Substance use disorder is a chronic, relapsing disorder that’s characterized by compulsive substance use, in addition to other behaviors, physical symptoms, and psychological symptoms.

This can include addiction to:

• alcohol
• opioid painkillers
• heroin
• marijuana
• illicit stimulants (e.g. cocaine, meth)
• prescription drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines, stimulants)

Can You Be Physically Dependent On Drugs Without Being Addicted?

Yes. Physical dependence can occur with the use of any habit-forming substance, including prescription medication that’s taken regularly, as prescribed, for a certain amount of time.

This includes some of the most commonly prescribed drug classes in the United States:

• Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin), prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders, can produce physical dependence within weeks of daily use.
• Opioid pain medications (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine), prescribed for acute or chronic pain, are among the most well-documented causes of physical dependence.
• SSRIs and SNRIs (such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Effexor), prescribed for depression and anxiety, can cause discontinuation syndrome, which is a form of physical dependence, if stopped abruptly.

In all three cases, physical dependence developed through legitimate medical use does not automatically indicate addiction or substance use disorder.

Dependence is a result of chronic substance use, not necessarily substance use disorder. You can be physically dependent on a drug without being addicted to it or having a substance use disorder problem.

Signs Of Drug Addiction

Knowing common signs of drug addiction can help understand how this is different from physical drug dependence.

Addiction can be both physical and psychological in nature, and it can alter how someone behaves, as well as affect other areas of their life, such as their relationships and employment.

Signs of addiction might include:

• physical dependence and withdrawal
• increased frequency of drug use
• excessive drinking and/or drug use
• unsuccessful attempts to quit drugs/alcohol
• frequent mood swings or worsened mental health
• continuing to drink or use drugs despite the negative consequences it has on a person’s life
• spending a significant amount of time using, getting, or recovering from drug use
• withdrawing socially from friends, family members, and other loved ones
• feeling like you rely on a drug mentally or psychologically to get through the day
• neglecting other parts of your life due to your substance use
• experiencing physical alcohol/drug cravings

What Is The Best Treatment For Addiction?

Treatment for addiction is recommended according to the severity of a person’s illness, chronicity, the type of drug, and other personal factors related to their substance use.

If you are both physically dependent on a drug and have an addiction, the first step in the treatment process is generally detoxification, also known as “detox.”

Drug And Alcohol Detox

Detox is a process of removing a substance from your body. Sometimes this occurs through an acute, “cold turkey” process, or through a tapered approach, depending on the type of drug.

If you have an addiction, entering a medically supervised detox program or finding an inpatient treatment center that offers detox services is strongly encouraged.

Withdrawal from certain substances, particularly alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be life-threatening without medical supervision. This is because it can cause seizures, cardiac complications, and death.

Opioid withdrawal is rarely fatal in otherwise healthy adults, but it carries serious risks and is best managed under clinical care

Addiction Treatment

Detox alone isn’t an addiction treatment. After you detox from a drug, additional medical and behavioral health treatment is recommended to help you stay off a former drug of misuse.

This might include:

• inpatient rehab
• residential treatment
• outpatient counseling
• medication-assisted treatment (for opioid or alcohol use disorder)
• behavioral therapy
• group therapy
• support groups
• dual diagnosis (for co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions)

Find The Best Addiction Treatment Today

Addiction is a chronic but treatable illness that can be difficult for someone to overcome without professional help, especially if they have developed severe physical dependence.

At AddictionResource.net, our admissions specialists can guide you toward a treatment program, or treatment recommendations, that best suit the needs of your personal situation.

Don’t wait. Call our helpline today to learn more about your addiction treatment options, or to find an addiction treatment program at a quality drug treatment facility near you today.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff