However, if you are genuinely ready to give recovery an honest chance this treatment is the perfect place to go. While you know that it doesn’t, your body insists that it must have the substance to live. What has happened is that your body adapted to the influx of the drug’s chemicals. In recovery, rewiring the brain through therapeutic techniques helps overcome addiction and stay sober. It’s important to remember that you can recover from substance use disorder, whether you notice it during the dependency stage or when you’re already addicted. Psychological dependence is when the use of substance ties to a feeling or event, called triggers.

Signs of Physiological Dependence

Physical dependence is cyclical and requires specialized effective evidence-based treatment. Therefore, it is ideal to obtain treatment for physiological dependence through a professional treatment provider. Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH is an experienced leader in the field of Substance Use Disorder treatment. He works with patients suffering from Substance Use Disorder to evaluate their medication needs and prescribe treatments accordingly. In addition, he regularly participates in all-staff debriefing sessions involving peers, nurses, and other prescribers. He also reviews and advises on policies, procedures, and techniques for treating substance use disorder.

Definition and Characteristics of Psychological Addiction

• Withdrawal symptoms are a significant indicator of physical dependence.
• Physical addiction is influenced by various biological factors, including the impact of addictive substances on the brain and the body’s response to prolonged exposure.
• In addition to professional help, establishing a strong support system is crucial to managing withdrawal symptoms and starting the recovery journey.
• If physical dependence is not present, medical detox is generally not needed.

As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs. Both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of an organ in the body, both have serious harmful effects, and both are, in many cases, preventable and treatable. Once you’ve been addicted to a drug, you’re at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time.

Physical Addiction: Understanding the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease defined by a physical and psychological dependence on drugs, alcohol, or what is physiological addiction a behavior. A person with an addiction will often pursue their toxic habits despite putting themselves or others in harm’s way. Whether or not withdrawal symptoms are present, addiction involves a psychological process that must be addressed in comprehensive therapy. While a prior delineation between psychological addictions and physical addictions indicated that psychological addictions were not quite as serious, this has been shown to be untrue. Physical dependence, illustrated by withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug, requires specialized medical care to ensure a safe and comfortable withdrawal process. If physical dependence is not present, medical detox is generally not needed.

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You don’t have to struggle with addictive behaviors any longer when you have our trained professionals on your side. Excessive substance abuse affects many parts of the body, but the organ most impacted is the brain. When a person consumes a substance such as drugs or alcohol, the brain produces large amounts of dopamine; this triggers the brain’s reward system. After repeated drug use, the brain is unable to produce normal amounts of dopamine on its own. This means addicted people may struggle to find enjoyment in pleasurable activities, like spending time with friends or family, when they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Unraveling the Enigma: What is Physical Addiction?

Understanding physical addiction – its definition, causes, symptoms, and treatment options – is the first step towards addressing this pervasive issue. It allows us to approach addiction with compassion, recognizing it as a complex medical condition rather than a moral failing. Psychological addiction is also known as an emotional or mental dependence on drugs or alcohol. When someone struggles with the psychological ramifications of addiction, they feel a compulsion or overwhelming need to use. Building a strong support network is essential for overcoming psychological cravings.

• Until you give in, your body reminds you with painful and intrusive withdrawal symptoms that you need another fix.
• Tolerance refers to the body’s adaptation to the presence of a substance, requiring larger amounts to achieve the desired effect.
• Don’t settle for less than you deserve, especially when you’re trying to get help for something so significant.

Some fortresses are more vulnerable to invasion than others, and the same goes for addiction. Your brain’s reward system, for instance, might be more sensitive to the effects of certain substances, making you more susceptible to addiction. However, there are distinct differences between physical and psychological addiction. When someone eats a piece of chocolate, the brain can find it very pleasurable and it stimulates the reward center in the brain. Because of this, a person is much more likely to want to eat chocolate regularly in the future. The psychological side of addiction represents the compulsion of the mind Twelve-step program to drink or use based on a perceived need the substance fills.