$Unique_ID{BRK01520}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Defining the Terms "Addiction", "Tolerance", and "Dependency"}
$Subject{addiction tolerance dependency Community Social Problems drugs
tolerate medication tolerates increase dosage withdrawal compulsive addicts
habit fix physical emotional problem discontinued addictive behavior behaviors
lifestyle lifestyles addict tolerances dependencies drug substance abuse
medications medicine medicines increased dosages habits fixes}
$Volume{Q-23,R-23}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Defining the Terms "Addiction", "Tolerance", and "Dependency"


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QUESTION:  I am completely confused by the way writers use the terms
"addiction", "tolerance" and "dependency".  Now certain circumstances in our
immediate family make it very important for me to understand such terms.  Will
you please help with a clear discussion of the topic?

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ANSWER:  Whenever the subject of drugs is discussed, whether in a medical
setting or on the street, the terms addiction, tolerance, and dependency keep
cropping up.  Many people assume they mean the same things, but as your doctor
can tell you, each word has an application of its own.
     Tolerance, for instance, refers to a body's ability to respond to a given
substance.  While one person may be able to pop aspirins every few hours,
another finds taking even one for a headache causes an upset stomach.  In
other words, his body cannot tolerate the medication, at least in its present
form.  He needs to take a less acidic or "buffered" brand of pain killer.
However, when drugs are taken over a long period of time, the body gets so
used to the drug being present it doesn't respond anymore.  It "tolerates"
the chemical.  Dosage must be increased in order to get the desired
painkilling result.  One sleeping pill becomes two, or three, or four.
     When a person must increase the dosage of a medication for a prolonged
period, physical dependency can result.  Dependency means that if the drug is
stopped, certain symptoms such as sweating, vomiting, or tremors might result.
However, the condition is only temporary.  In fact, by slowly reducing the
dosage, these withdrawal symptoms can be avoided all together.
     It's only in addiction, where the use of a substance begins in the
absence of physical pain, that dependency becomes a permanent condition.  Just
like a compulsive gambler or an overeater, addicts take drugs for reasons all
their own.  They become enslaved to their habit, and their entire existence
revolves around obtaining their next "fix".  Until the underlying emotional
problem is resolved, the drugs cannot be successfully discontinued, a most
difficult problem in and of itself.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.