Dependence vs. Addiction

[agnosticOCD]

Addicted, as I said, means they want it. If they DON'T want it, but due to withdrawal symptoms, NEED it, then that's what I would call dependence.

You cant just change the definition of a word that is extremely well defined in the medical world. Just because thats what you WANT the definition of addiction and dependence to mean that does not mean that its true.


Definition of ADDICTION
1: the quality or state of being addicted
2: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

Definition of DEPENDENCE
1: the quality or state of being dependent; especially : the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another
2: reliance, trust
3: one that is relied on
4a : drug addiction

END OF DISCUSSION

Just so you know.. I've been saying "OPEN FOR FUCKING CORRECTION" all night.. get me a source, just to make it more convincing.
Fine, so that's how it's defined, and they're the same thing, but are there any stages where an addiction is still something that isn't physically harmful enough for one to be able to intervene? As I've mentioned, shit like this can take over and people may act in response to their need of X and cause harm to themselves and other people. Also, what things are there that are considered "addicting" but aren't at all harmful anyway? I've said these in the original post. Whether or not there's a difference in their definition, there's still somethings regarding people's addictions to certain things that must be considered like which are harmful, and which are harmless vices, or what are the least invasive ways to deal with these things (I've mentioned legalizing drugs and just making rehab more effective, which seems kinda silly, but I'm one to think that it would be better, especially since there would be little reason for drug trade violence if it were legal, and I've also mentioned that it might not be in everyone's interest if we lock up someone for using drugs instead of helping get rid of their need for it).

 

[Dastardly]

I think too many people ignore the potential for emotional dependence, which can be every bit as intense as physical/chemical dependence--right down to severe withdrawal symptoms. Applying the word "addiction" to things like games doesn't cheapen the word, in and of itself.

But then you have to compare it to things that aren't physically addictive but are very emotionally addictive as you put it, cannabis for example.

Yep, you do. Because someone can develop an extremely harmful habit of use, to the point that it negatively impacts many aspects of their life--work, relationships, etc. Quitting can cause them to be physically and mentally unhealthy for quite awhile, too.

In the end, what we'll come to as a conclusion is that addiction/dependency/etc. are actually a pattern of behaviors, often accompanied by a pattern of physical symptoms (known as withdrawal). The actual subject of the addiction (alcohol, heroine, gaming, whatever) isn't necessarily a defining component of the addiction (though it can have a profound impact on symptoms of withdrawal).

 

[Pearwood]

The actual subject of the addiction (alcohol, heroine, gaming, whatever) isn't necessarily a defining component of the addiction (though it can have a profound impact on symptoms of withdrawal).

I think this is like the "is 0 an even or an odd number" thread, there's a very specific definition of addiction that won't change no matter how you philosophise about it.

 

[Xero Scythe]

I think you're redefining terms here. In a clinical sense, addiction = dependence.

Actually, no, that's not correct. Addiction is defined as the mental neccessity for a drug or other object. An addiction would be something like not having the willpower to resist taking a drink. I'm sorry if I'm defining it poorly- it's a rather hard subject to define.

However, Dependence is easier. Dependence is the physical need for a drug or object. This is best shown with cocaine, which physically restructures the human brain so that the human body will literally stop functioning and die. This can also happen with alcohol, if the addiction becomes severe enough.

It's more like Addiction->Dependency.

 

[Dastardly]

The actual subject of the addiction (alcohol, heroine, gaming, whatever) isn't necessarily a defining component of the addiction (though it can have a profound impact on symptoms of withdrawal).

I think this is like the "is 0 an even or an odd number" thread, there's a very specific definition of addiction that won't change no matter how you philosophise about it.

I disagree. I think the symptoms of addiction are very specifically defined, but the scope of addiction has always been up for debate (except with a few groups that declare themselves right by fiat).

 

[AgentNein]

Hey guys, I was thinking about it today and I thought to myself you know, bunnies and rabbits are really too very different things. And how I define bunnies is rabbits but with bigger feet and laser eyes.

DISCUSS.

 

[MaltaElvoret]

My simplistic view. Addiction is destructive, but dependence is not. Also it's hard to be dependent on something you are addicted to (not not impossible as there are food addicts.)

Also, Bunnies are cuter.

 

[4173]

I think you're redefining terms here. In a clinical sense, addiction = dependence.

Actually, no, that's not correct. Addiction is defined as the mental neccessity for a drug or other object. An addiction would be something like not having the willpower to resist taking a drink. I'm sorry if I'm defining it poorly- it's a rather hard subject to define.

However, Dependence is easier. Dependence is the physical need for a drug or object. This is best shown with cocaine, which physically restructures the human brain so that the human body will literally stop functioning and die. This can also happen with alcohol, if the addiction becomes severe enough.

It's more like Addiction->Dependency.

Medically, paraphrased from wikipedia

Addiction -> disease with certain behaviors relating to use and craving

Dependence -> will experience withdrawal without substance use

The DSM-IV-TR (psychology) doesn't use the word addiction at all

again, paraphrasing

substance abuse - substance use leading to clinical impairment or distress (failure to fufill major obligations, reckless use [ex. while driving], recurrent related legal or interpersonal [ex. fighting] problems

substance dependence - continued abuse, leading to one or more of: tolerance*, need for ever increasing amounts of the substance*, withdrawal symptoms*, using longer or more than intended, desire or attempts to stop using substance, lots of time spent in substance related activities, important activities replaced with substance use, use continues despite known physical symptoms or harm


*if 1 or more present, it is an element of physiological dependence
*if none are present, there is no physiological dependence