Addiction vs Dependence: Differences In Drug Abuse Terms

Alcohol is excreted in urine, sweat and breath, but the main method of elimination from the body is by metabolism in the liver where it is converted to acetaldehyde and acetate. The rate at which alcohol is metabolised and the extent to which an individual is affected by a given dose of alcohol is highly variable from one individual to another. These individual differences affect drinking behaviour and the potential for alcohol-related harm and alcohol dependence.

Alternatively, they may suggest a change of plans which involve alcohol. Parent training can help caregivers learn how to best care for a child with FAS and handle any problem behaviors. But many things can help children reach their full potential, especially if the problem is found early. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome have facial features such as small eyes, a thin upper lip, and a smooth philtrum (the groove between nose and upper lip). Dr. Elizabeth Bulat is the medical director of addiction medicine at Henry Ford’s Maplegrove Center in West Bloomfield. Approaching someone to discuss your concerns is different from an intervention.

Considerations During and After Treatment

Binge drinking among men varied from 19% in the West Midlands to 29% in Yorkshire and Humber and among women from 11% in East of England to 21% in Yorkshire and Humber (Robinson & Bulger, 2010). Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with properties known to cause physiological dependence on alcohol dependence (or addiction). If compared within the framework of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, alcohol would qualify as a dependence-producing substance warranting international control (United Nations, 1977; Ofori-Adjei et al., 2007).

Individuals with drinking problems improve their chances of recovery by seeking help early. Although severe alcohol problems get the most public attention, even mild to moderate problems cause substantial damage to individuals, their families and the community. For most adults, moderate alcohol use — no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women and older people — is relatively harmless.

Dual addictions and dependencies

In most agencies, it is the employee relations or human resources specialist who actually prepares or drafts adverse or disciplinary action letters, including those involving a firm choice. A firm choice is a clear warning to an employee who has raised alcohol or drug abuse in connection with a specific performance, conduct, or leave use incident or deficiency. He or she must make a choice between accepting treatment for the alcohol or drug problem and improving job performance or facing disciplinary action, up to and including removal.

According to WHO, alcohol is implicated as a risk factor in over 60 health disorders including high blood pressure, stroke, coronary heart disease, liver cirrhosis and various cancers. The AAF for alcoholic liver disease and alcohol poisoning is 1 (or 100% alcohol attributable) (WHO, 2000). https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/why-is-my-vision-blurry-after-drinking-alcohol/ For other diseases such as cancer and heart disease the AAF is less than 1 (that is, partly attributable to alcohol) or 0 (that is, not attributable to alcohol). Also, as noted earlier, the risk with increasing levels of alcohol consumption is different for different health disorders.

How to support your loved one through their journey

With alcoholic liver disease the risk is curvilinear, with harm increasing more steeply with increasing alcohol consumption. In the case of cardiovascular disease a modest beneficial effect has been reported with moderate amounts of alcohol, although recent research suggests this effect may have been overestimated (Ofori-Adjei et al., 2007). During pregnancy alcohol can cause harm to the foetus, which can cause prematurity, stillbirth and the developmental disorder fetal alcohol syndrome. Finally, a history of multiple withdrawal experiences can exacerbate cognitive deficits and disruption of sleep during withdrawal (Borlikova et al. 2006; Stephens et al. 2005; Veatch 2006). Several terms including ‘alcoholism’, ‘alcohol addiction’, ‘alcohol abuse’ and ‘problem drinking’ have been used in the past to describe disorders related to alcohol consumption. However, ‘alcohol dependence’ and ‘harmful alcohol use’ are used throughout this guideline to be consistent with WHO’s International Classification of Mental Disorders, 10th Revision (WHO, 1992).

• Such studies will undoubtedly reveal important insights that spark development of new and more effective treatment strategies for relapse prevention as well as aid people in controlling alcohol consumption that too often spirals out of control to excessive levels.
• Alcohol shares some of its dependence-producing mechanisms with other psychoactive addictive drugs.
• Even a little bit of alcohol can harm a developing fetus and increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Alcohol is implicated in a high proportion of cases of child neglect and abuse, and heavy drinking was identified as a factor in 50% of child protection cases (Orford et al., 2005).

Drug tolerance refers to the body getting used to a substance over time. When someone develops a tolerance, they need to take a higher dose to experience the same effects. The risk of substance use increases greatly during times of stress and change.

How it Affects the Brain

Long-term follow-up management usually includes formalized group meetings and psychosocial support systems, as well as continued medical supervision. Individual and family psychotherapy are often recommended to address the issues that may have contributed to and resulted from the development of a substance use disorder. Relapse represents a major challenge to treatment efforts for people suffering from alcohol dependence. To date, no therapeutic interventions can fully prevent relapse, sustain abstinence, or temper the amount of drinking when a “slip” occurs. For some people, loss of control over alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol dependence, rendering them more susceptible to relapse as well as more vulnerable to engaging in drinking behavior that often spirals out of control.

• Further, in view of changes in metabolism, potential drug interactions and physical comorbidity, dosages for medications to treat alcohol withdrawal and prevent relapse may need to be reduced in older people (Dar, 2006).
• Abuse and dependence are defined on a scale that measures the time and degree of substance use.
• It usually takes a high level of emotional intelligence and personal maturity.
• If you notice the previously mentioned characteristics of an alcoholic are present in someone you love, it’s worth encouraging them to seek help.