Discussions about addiction are commonly full of stigmas and stereotypes due to a lack of understanding about the disease. Lack of knowledge is especially present when discussing different terms surrounding the subject, such as tolerance, dependence, and addiction. These are often confused with being the same thing but describe different ways that drugs affect a person’s brain and body. These differences are significant and are essential to understanding the various stages of developing addiction. By understanding the differences, individuals can get help sooner when they notice the signs of earlier phases and opt for early intervention. In this way, further healing can be facilitated, and more individuals can achieve and maintain sobriety for the long term.
When a person’s tolerance begins building in response to a particular substance, this means that their physical reaction to said substance reduces over time. Therefore, it will take a higher amount of the substance to achieve the same effects as the person experienced initially. The more a person uses the substance, the higher their tolerance will be. It is essential to understand that a person with a high tolerance to a specific substance is not necessarily dependent or addicted to that substance. However, tolerance is part of the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder (SUD); a person must exhibit one or two more of the criteria to be diagnosed with a mild SUD.
There are different types of tolerance that vary between substances. These are known as short-term (acute), long-term (chronic), and learned. Short-term tolerance occurs with drugs like cocaine, where the person becomes used to the effects of the drug and will need more to achieve those effects in a shorter amount of time. However, long-term tolerance occurs over an extended period of time and is common in prescription drug use. Learned tolerance occurs when a person “practices” frequent exposure to certain substances. This type of tolerance can commonly be seen in alcohol as a person learns not to appear intoxicated even when they have been drinking higher amounts.
Dependence is different from tolerance in that it describes the symptoms that occur when a person ceases the use of a substance. These symptoms are known as withdrawal, and it commonly includes physical and mental symptoms that cause extreme discomfort. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, often causing people to return to the drug in an attempt for relief. Dependence is characterized explicitly by these withdrawal symptoms and does not necessarily indicate addiction to a substance. Just like tolerance, dependence is part of diagnostic criteria for SUD but must have meet two criteria to be diagnosed with mild SUD. For example, a person using prescription medicine every day can become dependent on the medication. Medical detox is the best way to manage withdrawal symptoms and stop the use of drugs safely.
The best way to begin understanding addiction is by educating yourself on the disease. Tolerance and dependence are not diseases, whereas addiction is, causing chronic symptoms that can be addressed with lifelong treatment and management. It is not a choice and can take over your life if you are not mindful of your use. Addiction can take priority over essential responsibilities and life-sustaining activities such as going to work, paying your bills, getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and more. It can alter the way your brain functions, and these changes can last your entire life. You can often tell when you are struggling with addiction based on continued usage even in the face of negative impacts on your life. You continue craving the very substances wreaking havoc in your daily life and cannot stop even if you wanted to. There are a variety of causes for addiction that are addressed in treatment. It is critical to get treatment early on to give you the best chance at a successful recovery.
Many people believe that you have to hit rock bottom before seeking treatment for addiction. However, this is not recommended, and you should seek treatment early on. The idea of “hitting rock bottom” is problematic for several reasons; the most significant is that there is no standard for what rock bottom is. Everyone’s rock bottom can look different, and there is no reason that a person should continue on a downward spiral until they reach their breaking point. Pushing yourself towards rock bottom could cause various chronic health issues that last even after getting clean. By getting treatment sooner, you stand a better chance of successfully reaching recovery and not having the health problems associated with chronic substance abuse. You can seek help at any point during your drug use or addiction if you genuinely want to better yourself. This way, you can find healing sooner and improve your overall quality of life before things get too bad.
Tolerance, dependence, and addiction are often confused to mean the same things regarding drug and alcohol use and abuse. However, these three things have significantly different definitions that portray what stage a person is in during their drug use. By understanding the differences between the three, it is our hope at NorthStar Transitions that individuals will seek help sooner before reaching full-blown addiction. At our facility, we have had much success in treating patients with an early intervention rather than waiting to hit rock bottom. However, our individualized treatment programs and wide range of modalities can help you find healing even if you feel you have reached your lowest point. Set in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, NorthStar Transitions is waiting for you to join and take the first steps towards healing. Call us today to learn more at (303) 558-6400. Give yourself a chance and experience the NorthStar difference today.
