What Is a Definition of a “Drug Additiction” vs. a “Drug Dependancy.”?

Question by Spanky: What is a definition of a “drug additiction” vs. a “drug dependancy.”?
Diabetics may be drug dependant on insuline for good health, but they are not “addicts” Can someone place into words a good definition of drug dependancy vs. drug addiction. I need to seperate the two for agrument sake and differentiate the two. A drug dependancy in the case of the diabetic seems to promote good health by watching sugar levels, but drug dependancy seems to have a negative position, promoting bad habits. I am just not sure how to define the two differances.

Best answer:

Answer by Stephen
the distinction is why and how the drugs are used. Drug dependance means that you body requires the drud (with opioids this is to prevent withdrawal symptoms as well as treating the underlying problem).
Drug addiction is where drugs are used not for their theraputic value but to “get high” or for other reasons. This leads to a lifestyle where seeking the drug becomes the most important thing and may lead to illegal activities to obtain the drug.

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The Best Drugs !!! to kill … – Drug addiction is widely considered a pathological state. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) has categorized three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. These stages are characterized, respectively, everywhere by constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the substance; using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects; and experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities.[2] By the American Society of Addiction Medicine definition, drug addiction differs from drug dependence and drug tolerance.[3] It is, both among scientists and other writers, quite usual to allow the concept of drug addiction to include persons who are not drug abusers according to the definition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The term drug addiction is then used as a category which may include the same persons who under the DSM-IV can be given the diagnosis of substance dependence or substance abuse. (See also DSM-IV Codes)

 

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