Substance Related and Addictive Disorders

Substance dependence is a repeated pattern of substance abuse that can result in tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug-taking behaviors.

• Dependence is what most people are referring to when they use the term addiction.

• Tolerance is present when the individual has to use progressively more of the substance over time to achieve a particular high.

• Withdrawal is a set of unpleasant physical symptoms that are opposite of the effects of the drug. If using the drug causes a decrease in heart rate, a potential withdrawal symptom might be an increase in heart rate. Withdrawal symptoms are a result of the body’s compensatory responses and appear when use of the drug is abruptly discontinued.

Compulsive drug-taking behaviors include uncontrolled use of the drug, craving the drug, excessive amounts of time devoted to obtaining the drug, unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control substance use, and giving up important and pleasurable activities in order to obtain the drug.