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addiction – a biopsychosocial disorder characterized by persistent use of drugs (including alcohol) despite substantial harm and adverse consequences addictive drug – psychoactive substances that with repeated use are associated with significantly higher rates of substance use disorders, due in large part to the drug's effect on brain ...
[4] [5] Conversely, physical dependence involves entirely somatic symptoms, such as diarrhea, myalgia, nausea, sweating, tremors, and other symptoms that are readily observable. [4] [16] Substance dependence is a general term that can refer to either psychological or physical dependence, or both, depending on the specific substance involved. [4]
Symptoms for a substance use disorder include behavioral, physical and social changes. Changes in behavior include being absent from school or work; changes in appetite or sleep patterns; personality and attitude changes; mood swings, and anxiety. Signs include physical changes such as weight gain or loss; tremors, and bloodshot eyes. [37]
Number with a drug use disorders by substance, OWID. Substance-related disorders, also known as substance use disorders, can lead to large societal problems. It is found to be greatest in individuals ages 18–25, with a higher likelihood occurring in men compared to women, and urban residents compared to rural residents.
"Dependence" is also a polyseme denoting either neuropsychological symptoms or mental disorders. In the DSM-5, dependences differ from addictions and can even normally happen without addictions; [26] besides, substance-use dependences are severe stages of substance-use addictions (i.e. mental disorders) involving withdrawal issues. [27]
Addiction can cause physical, emotional and psychological harm to those affected by it. [1] The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as "a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits , genetics, the environment, and an individual's life experiences.
A heroin addict entering a rehab facility presents as severe a case as a would-be suicide entering a psych ward. The addiction involves genetic predisposition, corrupted brain chemistry, entrenched environmental factors and any number of potential mental-health disorders — it requires urgent medical intervention.
Depending on the actual compound, drug abuse including alcohol may lead to health problems, social problems, morbidity, injuries, unprotected sex, violence, deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, physical dependence or psychological addiction. [24] There is a high rate of suicide in alcoholics and other drug abusers.