Perhaps you just found out that someone you love is abusing drugs or alcohol. It can be difficult to understand why someone would not give up, especially if they are causing damage to their relationships and their lives. Why can’t they just stop abruptly? Why aren’t they willing to go to an addiction recovery center even if addiction is costing them their lives? We’ll find out why today, starting with an examination of the differences between dependence and addiction.

Addiction vs. Dependence

It is often confusing to distinguish between “addiction” & “dependence.” This can even be difficult for medical professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) wanted to replace “addiction” with “dependence” in 1964.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) is used to treat addiction and dependence separately. They now use the term substance use disorder. Substance use disorder can be described as a mental illness that causes a person to have a difficult time controlling their alcohol and drug use, regardless of whether it is prescribed.

There are important differences between dependence and addiction.

What is Addiction?

In the past, addiction was viewed as a choice made by addicts. Addiction can be defined as a condition that alters the brain’s chemical structure after continuing to abuse substances. Addiction can lead to life-threatening abuse of drugs, alcohol, and other addictive behaviors, such as gambling. They might choose to do drugs or other harmful activities over family events. They might miss appointments or skip school.

An addict may experience extreme cravings for the drug they are trying to quit. Addicts may turn to any means to obtain drugs or alcohol. This includes talking people into buying them drugs, stealing their possessions, and selling everything they own. Addicts are often in financial trouble due to their addiction.

Addiction is not a choice because it changes brain chemistry. Because of addiction, only drug abuse and addicts need the support of an addiction treatment center like Gratitude Lodge.

What’s Dependence?

When the body adjusts to a drug, it is called dependence. This means that a drug user will require more of the drug each time they use it to get the same high as when they first took the drug. This is known as tolerance. Due to the body’s dependence on the drug, they may experience mental or physical symptoms during withdrawal.

Prescription drugs can lead to dependence, even if they are used as directed. Sometimes patients don’t realize they are dependent until they go to their doctor and tell them the medication isn’t working. Prescription painkillers such as Vicodin or Xanax can be addictive.

Addiction vs. Dependence

You may feel headaches similar to caffeine if you don’t drink enough coffee. Perhaps you have noticed that you have increased your coffee intake from just one cup to two. This is called dependence. For the same effect, the body will require a higher dose. If it does not receive the dose, it will experience withdrawal symptoms.

In cases of dependency, you can decide to stop drinking coffee for the rest of the week and instead take aspirin to manage the headache. As your body adjusts to caffeine, the headache will eventually disappear on its own.

You wouldn’t be capable of stopping your daily coffee habit if you were addicted. Even if that meant you had to beg outside a coffee shop for it, you would still feel the need to have caffeine.

Treatment for Addiction

The United States government considers addiction a brain disease. There are many resources available to help you or your loved ones who are suffering from the devastating effects of addiction. Insurance often covers addiction because it is a brain disease. Your insurance plan will let you know if your policy covers detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and medication.

Detox

Detoxification is a medically monitored program that allows addicts to detox and then gradually gets rid of the drug. Some withdrawal symptoms can cause severe mental and physical problems, including suicidal thoughts and seizures. These symptoms can be safely managed with professional help from a credentialed addiction rehab center.

Inpatient Rehab

You or your loved ones can go to an inpatient rehab addiction center after detox. You’ll be receiving ongoing treatment for withdrawal symptoms and therapy for mental symptoms. Access to support groups of fellow detox addicts will also be available, all working towards the same goal: lifelong addiction recovery.

Addiction Recovery

Withdrawal symptoms can be reduced by taking prescribed medications. There are medications, too, that can make the drug that you or your loved ones are addicted to more appealing or block certain brain receptors. It’s not as easy as just taking pills. Medical staff can help you determine the medication you need based on your drug abuse history and any co-occurring mental disorders.

Treatment for Addiction in Orange County

It can be difficult to distinguish between dependence and addiction. Addiction is when the brain reacts to substance abuse. Addiction is a condition. There are many treatment options that insurance policies can cover.

Dependence is when the body becomes dependent upon the drug. It can also lead to tolerance. It is possible to treat dependence by decreasing the dosage gradually over time. To reduce the side effects of lower dosage, you may be prescribed medication. There are many treatment options available for substance abuse disorder, regardless of whether you or your loved ones are addicted or dependent.

All you have to do is just Google search California rehab center near me and visit the Gratitude Lodge Website. Our addiction treatment programs at Gratitude lodge in Orange County help people recover from a life full of addiction. Call 800-994-2184 to learn more about our facilities.