| The prescription drugs and Over-The-Counter | | | | tremors, seizures etc. The withdrawal symptoms |
| drugs are effective in treatment of various kinds | | | | may also include psychological symptoms like |
| of diseases, disorders, reduce pain etc. But | | | | anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate etc. It |
| besides being used for medical purposes, these | | | | is not always necessary that a patient who is |
| drugs have also got strong tendency to result in | | | | dependent on substances will become addicted. |
| addiction. Many doctors even avoid prescribing | | | | The patient can get rid of dependence after |
| medications that have potential to cause addiction | | | | gradually reducing dosage of medications. Many |
| among patients. The terms addiction and | | | | drugs like certain steroids, SSRI class |
| dependence are often mistaken to have same | | | | anti-depressant medications, some anti-histamines |
| meaning. In initial stages, it is difficult to | | | | have shown tendency to cause physical |
| differentiate between addiction and dependence. | | | | psychological dependence. But there is not desire |
| Drug Addiction | | | | of addiction observed among patients who use |
| In drug addiction, the person becomes physically | | | | these drugs. |
| and psychologically dependant on drugs to such an | | | | Managing Drug Addiction and Drug Dependence |
| extent that in spite of knowing about its negative | | | | There are various effective techniques, behavioral |
| consequences, the internal desire of person to | | | | approaches, and medications that can be used to |
| consume abusive substances dominates over the | | | | tackle drug addiction and dependence. Substance |
| feeling to restrain. The person can go to any | | | | addicted person can be enrolled in various |
| extent to procure the drugs. The person can | | | | outpatient Drug-Free Programs which provide |
| become addicted after repeated use with | | | | group, individual, and family counseling. Those |
| increased dosage each time to get same effect. | | | | addicted to opioids should be send to Opioid |
| Addiction can not be reduced by decreasing the | | | | Agonist Programs. Addicted persons can also be |
| amount of substance dosage gradually. Although | | | | enrolled in Inpatient Rehabilitation programs which |
| the addicted person can get rid of physical | | | | last from few days to few weeks. Therapeutic |
| dependency on substances, it is difficult for him to | | | | communities are long term residential programs |
| detach from psychological dependence. When the | | | | for those addicted persons who do not get |
| substance intake is suddenly stopped, the addicted | | | | benefited from other treatments. |
| person can not withstand the discomfort and | | | | Those patients who are physically dependent on |
| agony due to withdrawal symptoms. Drug | | | | medications will find it less troublesome while |
| addiction has several negative effects on social, | | | | quitting the use of medications. But, such patients |
| economical, and professional life. | | | | should not suddenly cease intake of medication |
| Drug Dependence | | | | voluntarily but should consult doctor before taking |
| In drug dependence, the person becomes | | | | such step. |
| dependent upon the drugs to attain normal bodily | | | | Thus, physical dependence on a substance can |
| function. A patient taking pain medications can | | | | occur without having addiction, while a person can |
| become dependent on that substance. But the | | | | get addicted to drugs without going through |
| patient can become normal after controlled and | | | | physical dependence. Likewise, psychological |
| prescribed use of medications. Suddenly stopping | | | | dependence can occur without the person getting |
| the substance intake produces withdrawal | | | | addicted but it can not be said that a person can |
| symptoms which indicate dependence on drugs. | | | | get addicted without getting psychologically |
| The withdrawal symptoms may include | | | | dependent. |
| physiological symptoms like muscle cramps, | | | | |