what is the definition of substance dependence?

Answer 1

one being dependent on drugs or alcohol.

Answer 2

Substance Dependence Definition

Answer 3

The officially recognized criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (published by the APA):

Criteria for Substance Dependence
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

(1) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve Intoxication or desired effect
(b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance

(2) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances)
(b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

(3) the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended

(4) there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use

(5) a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects

(6) important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use

(7) the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption)

Specify if:

With Physiological Dependence: evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., either Item 1 or 2 is present)
Without Physiological Dependence: no evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., neither Item 1 nor 2 is present)

Course specifiers (see text for definitions):

Early Full Remission
Early Partial Remission
Sustained Full Remission
Sustained Partial Remission
On Agonist Therapy
In a Controlled Environment

(a link to an on-line version provided below)

Answer 4

The definition of substance dependence is the uncontrollable dependence on something of chemical content. The chemical becomes more important to the partaker than anything else in their life and they are not satisfied without it.

Answer 5

Dependence can be considered a set of behaviors identified by frequency of use, pattern of use, quantity used and frequency of incidents where the person's life is disrupted by these patterns.

This definition holds true whether the 'substance' is alcohol, drugs, relationships, sex, work or any other all-consuming pasttime.

(a good definition of 'hitting bottom' for any substance abuser is the point when things get worse faster than they can lower their standards)

Answer 6

dependence on drugs or alcohol i'm sure you've got that by now but i'm going to tell you a secret to get over it.
Go somewhere where it is hard to get all these things and try to find a reason to live like visit a poor country, be a mentor to a disadvantaged kids or sponsor a child who lives in slums abroad. They will send you best of luck your way and those sweet letters on holidays would melt your heart and soul as it give u more pride and joy. That, there is someone out there who knows you and love you even if they havent met you and you care about them. Be good to others and they will be good to you. Reconnect with family and meaningful friends.
p.s: this is not tautologically speaking. I'm just serious it would work.

Answer 7

Drug addiction, substance dependence or chemical dependency is the compulsive use of psychoactive drugs, to the point where the user has no effective choice but to continue use. The phenomenon of drug addiction has occurred to some degree throughout recorded history (see "opium"), though modern agricultural practices, improvements in access to drugs, advancements in biochemistry, and dramatic increases in the recommendation of drug usage by clinical practitioners have exacerbated the problem significantly in the 20th century. Improved means of active biological agent manufacture and the introduction of synthetic compounds, such as methamphetamine are also factors contributing to drug addiction.

The addictive nature of drugs varies from substance to substance, and from individual to individual. Drugs such as codeine or alcohol, for instance, typically require many more exposures to addict their users than drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Likewise, a person who is psychologically or genetically predisposed to addiction is much more likely to suffer from it.

Although dependency on hallucinogens like LSD otherwise known as "acid" and psilocybin is listed as Substance-Related Disorder in the DSM-IV, most psychologists do not classify them as addictive drugs. Experts on addiction say that the use of LSD and psilocybin causes neither psychological nor physical dependency [citation needed]. Many users report feeling less desire to use these drugs after every use [citation needed].

There are anecdotal reports of psychological addiction to recreational stimulants such as MDMA (Ecstasy) and a dissociative psychedelic Ketamine. Pills sold on the street as "ecstacy" often contain adulterants, which may be the addictive compound.

Drug addiction has two components: physical dependency, and psychological dependency. Physical dependency occurs when a drug has been used habitually and the body has become accustomed to its effects. The person must then continue to use the drug in order to feel normal, or its absence will trigger the symptoms of withdrawal. Psychological dependency occurs when a drug has been used habitually and the mind has become emotionally reliant on its effects, either to elicit pleasure or relieve pain, and does not feel capable of functioning without it. Its absence produces intense cravings, which are often brought on or magnified by stress. A dependent person may have either aspects of dependency, but often has both. [citation needed]

Answer 8

Addiction, not being able to lead a normal life without the support of the substance...;

Answer 9

This means that you are dependent on a drug or other substance to function.

Answer 10

YOUR BODY NEEDS A CERTAIN SUBSTANCE FOR YOU TO SURIVIVE. OR SO YOU THINK. BE IT ALCOHOL, DRUGS, TOBACCO FOR ME. ADDICTION FOR SOME, OBSESSIVE/COMPULSIVE, IS SO STRONG THAT THEY'LL DO ANYTHING TO MEET IT. SAD BUT TRUE. YOU FEEL YOU CANT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT WHATEVER THAT SUBSTANCE IS. AS FOR MYSELF I KNOW THAT I CAN WORK ETC WITHOUT IT BUT NONOTHELESS I STILL WANT A MARLBORO OR TOPS OR KOOL ETC. DOEWS THIS HELP?


GOD BLESS