substance dependency
Compulsive drug need
Substance dependency is the state of being physically or psychologically reliant on a drug, alcohol, or other substance.
The dependent person experiences cravings and withdrawal symptoms when the substance is unavailable.
Dependency implies compulsive use despite harmful consequences: Her substance dependency cost her the marriage.
The term is clinical and somewhat euphemistic compared to addiction.
- cravingsIntense desires for something
- drug of choiceFavored mood-altering substance
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- receptorsProteins binding specific molecules
- neurotransmittersChemical neural messengers
brain chemistry · tolerance · cold turkey · withdrawal · harm reduction · self-medication · addictive personality · metabolism · denial · reinforcement · intoxication · rock bottom · relapse · neuroplasticity · triggers · stressors · stigma · coping mechanisms
- addictionaddiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, drug abuse, heroin addiction
- workplace addictionalcohol abuse, employee assistance, drug testing, drug policy, impairment
- party drugsMDMA, ecstasy, molly, GHB, ketamine
substance dependencysobriety
Unimpaired mental state
abstinence · clean living · drug-free · teetotalism · recovery
substance dependencywellness
Overall state of health
health · mental health · sound mind · wholeness · well-being
substance dependencyindependence
Freedom from external control
freedom · liberation · self-mastery · self-control · autonomy
substance, dependency, substances, substantial, substantially, substantive, substantiate, substantiation, insubstantial