What is Drug Dependence?

There are degrees of dependency, from mild dependency to compulsive drug use (often referred to as addiction). It is impossible to say how long or how often a person must take a drug before they start to become dependant.

Dependence can be psychological or physical, or both.

People who are psychologically dependent on a drug feel compelled in certain, or in a number of different situations, to use a drug in order to function effectively, or to achieve emotional satisfaction.

Physical dependence is when a person's body adapts to a drug and gets used to functioning with the drug present.

If a physically and/or psychologically dependent person suddenly stops taking the drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms as their body readjusts to functioning without the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are different for different types of drugs and for each person. They may include both physical and emotional symptoms such as depression, irritability, cramps, nausea, sweating and sleeping problems.

People who are physically dependent on a drug usually develop a tolerance to the drug. This means that they need to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

Source: Common questions parents ask about young people (n.d) Retrieved November 11, 2005 , from http://druginfo.adf.org.au/article.asp?ContentID=common_questions_parents_ask_a#what