Physical vs Psychological Dependence: Understanding Addiction

Depression is defined as constant feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. This emotional disturbance can create problems before and after treatment. Sometimes depression can make quitting extremely tough since people may drink when they get depressed. Substance abuse includes any harmful or dangerous use of psychoactive substances.

  • They get to know your dependence and related factors for treatment before you start on your road to recovery.
  • These medications can help to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.

Although withdrawal and tolerance are defined differently, their connection to addiction is apparent. Using drugs and building up tolerance affects the brain psychologically, as well as the body physically. Drug withdrawal affects the sufferer both psychologically and physically, as evidenced by the symptoms, proving that addiction is not just one or the other. Addiction is a chronic disease, that affects the sufferer both physically and psychologically.

Substance Abuse Treatment

Physical dependence and psychological dependence are both critical factors in addiction. In most cases, people addicted to drugs or alcohol will experience both types of dependence. If you or someone you love is struggling with physical or psychological dependence, we can help.

  • Direct2Recovery specializes in management and treatment options for substance use disorder; alcohol, opiates, heroin and other harmful substances.
  • When the user goes without the substance, his or her body will experience painful and uncomfortable symptoms.
  • When the level of drugs and alcohol drops, the brain sends messages that the body needs more.
  • According to a scale created by the DEA to rank how addicted an individual is to a drug, Ecstasy ranks lower than heroin, crack, amphetamine and marijuana.
  • Becoming dependent on a drug usually means that addiction is right around the corner.
  • At Promises Behavioral Health, you’ll receive physical and psychological care in an environment of compassion and empathy.
  • There is a bit of an overlap when it comes to physical vs psychological dependence.

If you or a loved one need help, start with us at Direct2Recovery. It’s important to remember that you can recover from substance use disorder, whether you notice it during the dependency stage or when you’re already addicted. Refusing to believe there is an addiction problem is another social addict symptom.

The Difference Between Physical and Psychological Dependency

Psychological addiction, in a way, can be described as a higher level of addiction, because psychological addiction is more than a compulsion. Here are a few tips you can try to use while getting treatment or if you are starting psychological dependence on alcohol life after recovery. However, rehab that addresses all aspects of your health gives you a greater chance of lasting sobriety. Physically and mentally, you’ll become healthier and stronger as you work through rehab.

  • We offer various treatment options, including detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, and therapy.
  • People often confuse physical dependence with addiction, but they are not the same thing.
  • Addiction is a complex disease with both physical and mental aspects.
  • With the right treatment plan, you can manage physical and psychological dependence and work toward long-term recovery.

This removes any traces of it from their body and the build-up of toxins in the process. The medication they’re prescribed in some cases mitigates the physical symptoms of withdrawal. To put it another way, physical vs psychological dependence means mental vs physical symptoms. Also, a program at an addiction recovery center will deal with them separately. Treatment for physical dependence usually involves a period of detoxification, followed by medication to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Treatment for psychological addiction may include therapy, support groups, and medicine.

Body Aches and Pains

Once your brain is used to the effects of the substance of choice, it requires the person to take larger and larger doses to get the same initial effect. When being asked, the difference between physical dependence versus psychological dependence, trembling might come up as a symptom of physical dependence. Both the psychological and physical symptoms of dependency can be stressful and problematic. Fortunately, there are different ways you can cope with these feelings and thoughts. Getting the right treatment and practicing the right lifestyle changes is crucial. When it comes down to physical vs psychological dependence, both can be just as stressful in the long run.

This can mean being deceptive or making excuses to loved ones or friends. This only makes the situation worse and justifies further use of the drug. This is a clear psychological symptom in terms of physical vs psychological dependence. One of the most apparent symptoms of addiction is not being to control your drug use. This psychological symptom can make it really hard to quit once an addiction has developed. However, with the right help and guidance getting clean is possible.

Mental Health Treatment

Yet, it gives people the tools to change their behavior in spite of how they think and feel. Dependence isn’t necessarily an addiction because drugs can improve a person’s life. For instance, people with anxiety disorders may be prescribed Xanax by a doctor. Their disorder makes it difficult for them to function in real life.

psychological vs physiological dependence