What Is the Difference Between Dependence, Tolerance, and Addiction?

The terms dependence, tolerance, and addiction are very similar and are often used incorrectly to describe what an individual is experiencing. They are not interchangeable.

Understanding the correct meaning of each term can help you recognize the different stages of substance abuse. If you have the skills to recognize the onset of each of these phases, you will be better able to reach out for the help you need as early as possible in the addiction process.

What Is Dependence?

Dependence involves feeling a desire or need to engage in substance use continuously. This desire has both physical and psychological aspects. Our bodies begin to experience slight symptoms of withdrawal when the substance is no longer present, and our minds reinforce the idea that the use of the substance is the solution. Becoming dependent on a substance is a very serious step toward addiction and is one of the criteria for being diagnosed with substance use disorder.

Our bodies can adapt to the level of substance use we regularly engage in. Our bodies can quickly make substance use a habit. Refraining from using after creating this habit can be extremely difficult. Physical dependence will begin to cause cravings when our bodies feel deprived of the substance.

To end dependence on an addictive substance, our bodies need to relearn how to function without having the substance. Unfortunately, the negative side effects of withdrawals keep people motivated to continue using, which furthers the dependence. As we experience the withdrawal symptoms, our thought processes begin to obsess over the need for the substance so that we can feel better physically. However, more substance use is what leads to increased tolerance.

What Is Tolerance?

When the substance is continually being used, our bodies will need more and more of it to experience the same sensations. This causes people to develop an increased tolerance for the substance. The body’s adaptions to new levels of substance use can happen quickly but also slowly enough for it to go nearly unnoticed. Tolerance accelerates at differing rates for different people depending on their body’s chemistry, but anyone can develop an increased tolerance level.

Tolerance levels increasing can be extremely dangerous. When our tolerance level is increased, the desire to use the substance increases, and we need a larger amount to feel the same effects. After continuing this process, our bodies can build an extremely high tolerance to the substance. This can be fatal for you if you feel the need to intoxicate yourself to a level near overdosing and may lead to an accidental overdose.

A body develops a tolerance as it gets used to functioning with the substance present. That does not mean, however, that the substance becomes safer or healthier for the body. Substances have many destructive properties that our body needs to adapt to continue proper functioning, but they still have negative short and long-term health consequences.

The same type of adjustment occurs when people adjust their diet. If you consistently choose to eat fast food high in fat and cholesterol, your body needs to adjust its digestive patterns to properly manage the consumption of this food. If you abruptly quit eating fast food and begin consuming a healthy diet, your body may send you various signals of hunger. Even though not consuming unhealthy foods or other problematic substances is better for you in the long run, your body may struggle to adjust to such an abrupt change and may cause you to feel very uncomfortable in the meantime.

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is the step beyond dependence or tolerance for a substance. Once the point of addiction is reached, it can be nearly impossible to quit the use of the substance, especially without help from trained professionals. However, recovering from an addiction is a necessary foundation for a vibrant and healthy life. Addiction often results in negative consequences within work settings, personal relationships, and the ability to care for oneself.

The main aspect of addiction that separates the condition from dependence or tolerance is the fact that addiction is chronic. It is a cyclical process that individuals often feel stuck in and struggle to overcome. This disease causes individuals to continue struggling with a severe level of dependence on the substance and usually a greatly increased tolerance level. This hinders the individual’s ability to commit to the decision to quit the use of the substance.

The Sequence of These Levels

The main difference between dependence, tolerance, and addiction is the severity of the body’s reliance on substance abuse. The combination of tolerance and dependence often leads to a diagnosis of a substance use disorder, which is another term for addiction.

Developing a tolerance often happens first. As you continue to use a substance, your tolerance levels continually increase with each usage. When you use greater and greater amounts of the substance, your dependence upon the substance to function becomes more severe. As dependence and tolerance worsen, the body reaches the point of addiction.

Fortunately, you do not have to handle any of these conditions alone! The earlier you get help, the more easily you should be able to recover, but recovery is always possible.

Dependence, tolerance, and addiction are correlated and have similar meanings. However, understanding their differences can help you determine your current level of addiction and what kind of care you may need. Increased tolerance and dependence are often included in addiction, but having one of them does not always mean you are dealing with addiction yet. Dependence involves the need or desire to continue using a substance. If you feel that you are unable to go on without it, you probably have a dependence. Tolerance involves the amount of substance that your body is used to, which causes a need for increased use for you to feel the same effects. Addiction is a disease that usually involves tolerance and dependence, and that can be very difficult to overcome. To learn which of these states describes your situation and to get help, contact Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.