All of these
saying for, not to dependent or addicted of anything. But before that we should
have a clear understanding about dependence and addiction. Dependence and addiction are two very
different things. They should not be confused with each other. Addiction or dependence
to anything is not something any person wants. Due to medication reasons many
people have to take drugs which are necessary for better health and the
functioning of their bodies. Their bodies get dependent on the prescribed
drugs, but it is not necessary that the dependence changes into addiction.
Dependence:
Dependence of the body
on a drug is a physiological state. Dependence can be termed as the body’s
physiological need to have the drug. Dependence can be identified by the body
showing withdrawal symptoms when the prescribed drug that is being used for
long- term treatment is stopped or decreased. It is the way the body shows that
it has adapted to the intake of some drugs. If the body does not receive it
anymore, it shows negative reactions or consequences. These can happen with
blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, painkillers, etc.
A good example of
dependence is a heavy coffee drinker's use of caffeine. If you are used to drinking several
cups of coffee each day, you soon learn about physical dependence when you miss
a day or two. This does not mean you are addicted to the caffeine; it only
means your body is surprised not to see what it has come to expect.
As any diabetic
will testify about insulin,
or any heart patient will testify about blood pressure medication, dependence is not
necessarily indicative of addiction or drug abuse. In fact, regular use of
these medications may be essential for good health.
Addiction:
Addiction is a physiological
as well as a psychological state. Physiological addiction is treatable by
detoxification, but the psychological addiction is far more difficult to treat
and is an ongoing struggle for the person addicted. It is a condition where the person
compelled to satisfy his needs regardless of the negative consequences. The social
functioning of the person is disturbed, who is affected by being addicted to a
drug or other substances.
Addiction can be
identified by:
-
A person’s drug seeking habits.
-
Trying to get the addictive substance
even though the body is being harmed by it.
-
Misusing the substances for pleasure
or intoxication.
-
Withdrawal symptoms shown after
stopping the intake.
-
Disturbed normal life and functioning.
Common addictive drugs
are barbiturates, alcohol, and morphine and other opioids, especially heroin, which has
slightly greater euphorigenic properties than other opium derivatives.
Summary:
1. Dependence on a medication or drug is a physiological state; addiction
on a medication or other substances is a physiological as well as psychological
state.
2. Physiological dependence mat decrease after some time; addiction
keeps getting worse in the absence of treatment.
3. Dependence on a drug is sometimes necessary for the improved
functioning of a person. For example, medication for a blood pressure patient
makes his life better with the medication. Addiction is the abuse of drugs and
other substances, and it makes life worse as the person doesn’t stop taking
them even if their life is being affected negatively.
4. Addiction needs to be treated; dependence does not require
treatment.
At the end of
this, I think you all now have a good idea about difference between drug dependence
and addiction. My main
thinking is not only to inform you about the differences but also to warn you
about misuse, abuse, dependence and addiction of drugs. So that everyone could
aware of these kinds of things, which are happening in our life very now and
then accidentally. I hope you all are enjoying and learning
from my blog. So keep blogging, stay healthy and share your thoughts with us.
3 comments:
Good information, but i am very health conscious so not daring to get addicted by any drug anyway.......but i think rather i am dependent on this kind of drug called caffeine,:P....not a big deal that i am not addicted cause i am dependent...........but i like the summary part of your posts, writer....
:)
Very well said. Both drug dependent and addicted need recovery companion services
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