Dependence or Addiction?

There is a difference between dependence & addiction. Dependence occurs when tolerance builds up & the body needs the drug in order to function. Withdrawal symptoms will begin if the drug is stopped abruptly. Yet, on the other hand, when a person turns to the regular use of a drug to satisfy emotional & psychological needs, they are addicted to that substance! Physical dependence also exists, but the drug has become a way to cope with (or avoid) all kinds of uncomfortable feelings.

Majority of drug addicts do begin by needing the drug weather they are prescribed for medical reasons or making themselves believe they need the drug in order to function/live. Which at some point/somewhere along the line, the drug obviously/clearly/unintentionally yet slowly begins to take over their lives & becomes more important than anything/anyone else & majority of the time nothing will stop/get in the way of  them gaining/receiving their drug of choice.

Many people surrounding someone suffering the disease of addiction or currently within an active addiction or even someone that is completely against drugs find it extremely difficult to understand how someone could let addiction even happen. Majority of people constantly ask: "How could someone who is reasonably intelligent & sophisticated in regards to drug addiction become an addict?" Without the realization or even somewhat thinking about the fact that addiction seriously has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence & addiction to legal drugs is no different than any other substance abuse problem (illegal drugs). Clearly, the potential risks and dangers involved with taking narcotics doesn’t stop someone from becoming an addict.