Posted by viridis on January 11, 2003, at 4:00:45
In reply to Re: addictive/non-addictive = double talk, posted by fachad on January 11, 2003, at 1:38:03
"Addiction" occurs when you crave a substance that causes you harm, and you will go any lengths to get it, despite the consequences (e.g., crack cocaine, heroin, tobacco).
"Dependency" occurs when you become physiologically adjusted to a substance and need it to function normally (e.g., many ADs, benzos, insulin, blood pressure drugs, caffeine).
"Tolerance" occurs when you require a greater dose of a substance to achieve the same effect you once achieved at a lower dose (e.g., most of the above, for some).
"Discontinuation syndome": a term coined by pharmaceutical companies to distinguish withdrawal from costly prescription meds (due to dependency) from withdrawal (also due to dependency) from meds that are now off-patent, and thus too inexpensive for them to bother with.
Addiction is a strong term, and really doesn't apply to most people who are using psychiatric meds for legitimate reasons.
poster:viridis
thread:134394
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/135297.html