Addicted or Dependent: Understanding Your Relationship With Substance Use

Physical dependency means that your body relies on a substance, but mentally you can stop at any time; your brain is not hooked. The human body is highly adaptable, and chronic substance use changes our physiological functions and expectations as they quickly accommodate chemical changes. After prolonged use of drugs or alcohol, our bodies become dependent on a constant supply of these substances to maintain a state of equilibrium, and abruptly removing the substance can cause withdrawal symptoms that range from mild discomfort to extreme physical distress. You may become physically dependent on a wide range of chemicals, not just recreational drugs or alcohol, often with no ill effects. For example, you can become dependent on correctly used psychotropic medications, and this dependency can be a benign state that presents no cause for concern. However, depending on the type of substance and the manner in which it is being used, being dependent can also have serious long-term health implications and require professional care to ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal and return your body to a state of well-being.

Most people experiencing substance addiction will have developed some level of physical dependence, but also have an additional layer of psychological dependence that presents drastically different motivations and dangers for substance use. Addiction is defined by its compulsive qualities that drive you to use drugs or alcohol despite negative impacts on your emotional, social, and physical well-being. People who self-medicate to manage symptoms of mental health disorders are particularly vulnerable to addiction. By relying on drugs and alcohol for a sense of emotional well-being or to deal with stressors, the psychological piece of the addiction puzzle is firmly wedged in place. As tolerance develops, you need larger amounts of the substance to create the same high, and the possibility of being without the substance can lead to feelings of deep distress and helplessness. Addiction quickly takes center stage in your life as you plan your daily activities around opportunities to use. You may go to great lengths to ensure you are able to indulge in addictive behaviors despite damage to your mind, body, and social relationships.

The psychological components to addiction present special barriers to treatment, as the destructive impetus of addiction can make breaking free from substance use an unappealing option. Treatment requires a commitment to resist the temptation of addictive behavior, and many addicts view recovery as losing something, rather than gaining health, wellness, and the ability to live an authentic life. While substance dependence may cause you to fear physical withdrawal, addicts fear the loss of their sense of self, their ability to cope with stress, and their capacity for pleasure. The self-destructive and maladaptive thinking processes addiction creates often require intensive medical intervention to provide relief from physical dependence and address your psychological motivations.