drug dependence

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Related to drug dependence: drug addiction, Drug tolerance

dependence

[de-pen´dens]

a need for something; sometimes used as a synonym for drug dependence.

chemical dependence (drug dependence) see drug dependence.

emotional dependence psychological dependence.

physical dependence (physiological dependence) drug dependence in which the drug is used to prevent withdrawal symptoms or in which it is associated with tolerance, or both.

psychoactive substance dependence drug dependence.

psychological dependence drug dependence in which the drug is used to obtain relief from tension or emotional discomfort; called also emotional dependence.

substance dependence drug dependence.

drug dependence

A psychic (and sometimes physical) state resulting from interaction of a living organism and a drug. Characteristic behavioral and other responses include a compulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis to experience its psychic effects or to avoid the discomfort of its absence. Tolerance may be present. A person may become dependent on more than one drug.

drug dependence

A syndrome featuring persistent usage of the drug, difficulty in stopping and withdrawal symptoms. Drug dependent people will go to great lengths to maintain access to the drug, often resorting to crime. Drug dependence is not limited to dependence on illegal drugs.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Patient discussion about drug dependence

Q. What happens in rehab centers? How do they “cure” alcoholics and drug addicts?

A. REHAB;for alcoholics are the same as rehabs for drugs addicted people--alcohol is a drug,people learn how to deal with ther disease,they learn how to ask for help when they fell like drinking,they learn how to go to meetings everyday,they learn how to stay away from people places and things that remind them of drinking(bars)(friends).rehabs DO NOT CURE YOU they teach you how to cure yourself or stay away from alcohol/drugs---mrfoot56---peace

Q. Why should I feel sorry for a drug addict when it was their choice to start doing drugs in the first place? Why should I feel sorry for a drug addict when it was their choice to start doing drugs in the first place? Should we be so sympathetic to people who are addicted to drugs? What are your thoughts?

A. you cant blame a drug addict..for being a drug addict..but you can blame him for not trying to stop..addiction is a disease...it is treated as a disease...alcoholics are the same as any other drug addict--but alot of older people dont look at it that way,because it is legal...there are more alcoholics,than cocaine,herion,crack,meth...all put together...HUMAN NATURE..is the answer to why we have so much drug addiction....ALSO WHY DO PEOPLE ALWAYS BLAME THE USERS...BLAME THE PEOPLE WHO LET THIS STUFF IN THE COUNTRY,BLAME THE ALCOHOL COMPANYS..FOR PUTTING THIS STUFF ON THE MARKET,HERE IS A QUESTION FOR YOU;;;IF THE US GOVERNMENT KNOWS ALCOHOL IS KILLING PEOPLE,AT HOME AND ON THE ROADS,WHY DONT STAY BAN IT LIKE THEY BAN THE OTHER DRUGS?????MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.....mrfoot56.....peace

Q. are there are acceptable drugs by the health industry for depression which are not addictive but yet effective

A. As toward other drugs, patients may develop addiction to the mood-improving actions of the medications, so potentially every medication that works has the potential to induce addiction (even medications to other non-psychiatric condition that cause good feeling may do that).

However, the current medications used to treat depression are not considered dangerous in this matter.

You may read more here (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depression.html), and if you have any questions regarding this subject you may consult a doctor (e.g. a psychiatrist)

More discussions about drug dependence

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References in periodicals archive ?

(65,66) It is thought that by disrupting 'drug memory' reconsolidation, when the 'drug memory' is particularly labile, we might be able to attenuate drug dependence and this theory has been tested in rodents.

Developing treatments for stimulant abuse: a brief overview

"Drug dependence is a disorder that can be treated effectively but, unfortunately, the large majority of persons who need it do not have access to treatment," says Dr Shekhar Saxena, Director of the WHO's Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Geneva.

People with Drug Dependence need Better Access to Health Care

The joint programme encompasses providing access to drug dependence treatment to the Arab region through NRC as the treatment hub.

Majority of patients at National Rehabilitation Centre drug addicts

Such correction for under-reporting changed the rank order of PAF of alcohol consumption and drug dependence. Before correction, alcohol consumption appeared to be responsible for 1.7% of low Apgar scores, for example, compared with 1.3% for drug dependence; after correction, alcohol consumption accounted for 3.4% of low Apgar scores, a smaller proportion than that associated with drug dependence (5.2%).

Substance use of pregnant women and early neonatal morbidity: where to focus intervention?

The topics include pharmacokinetics, immune responses and immuno-suppressant drugs, amino acid transmitters in the central nervous system, drug dependence and drug abuse, and anti-fungal and anthelminthic drugs.

Pharmacology condensed, 2d ed

The Intel ISEF Addiction Science Awards were presented at an awards ceremony last night by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and Friends of NIDA, a group that supports NIDA's mission, and educates policy makers, health professionals and the general public about advances achieved from the investments in biomedical and behavioral research related to finding a cure for and eliminating drug dependence.

The Impact of Third Hand Smoke on Risk for Genetic Mutations Wins First Place Addiction Science Award at 2009 Intel ISEF Competition

The conditions are certain neurologic disorders, stroke, chronic alcohol and other drug dependence, certain autoimmune disorders, cancer excluding precancer conditions, certain cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure, dementia, diabetes mellitus, end-stage liver disease, end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, certain severe hematologic disorders, HIV/AIDS, certain chronic lung disorders, and certain chronic and disabling mental health conditions.

Special Medicare Advantage plans

"Virtually 100% of patients who get opioids for chronic pain will develop two signs of true drug dependence: physiologic tolerance and withdrawal symptoms if the drug is removed.

Undertreated chronic pain spurs pseudoaddiction

Both alcohol use disorders (i.e., alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence) and drug use disorders (drug abuse and drug dependence) are influenced by several factors.

The genetics of alcohol and other drug dependence

Before establishing a lobbying firm, Ann was the Executive Director of the Maryland Chapter of the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence. She also spent ten years as an advocate for Action for the Homeless/Center for Poverty Solutions.

Ciekot & Elliott to represent MNA in Annapolis

WHO Expert Committee on drug dependence, Thirty-fourth Report (World Health Organization, Geneva) 2006.24 pages.

WHO Expert Committee on drug dependence

It will be a very valuable resource to individuals with a drug dependence problem, their family members and friends, health educators and counselors, undergraduate and graduate lecturers, and students.