The Addiction Research
Topics
- Substance dependence
- Non-substance addiction
- Psychiatric comorbidity
- Somatic comorbidity
- Women’s / Men’s Health
- Sponsors
Topic: Substance dependence
Substance dependence
What is dependence?
The following criteria are helpful in assessing dependence:
- A strong desire or compulsion to consume substances
- A reduced capability of controlling consumption begin, end and amount of the substance
- Withdrawal symptoms or use of substances to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and a resulting positive experience
- Marked tolerance: The need for markedly increased amounts of the substance in order to achieve intoxication
- A recurrent characteristic behaviour towards alcohol or substances
- A growing lack of interest towards other activities because of substance abuse
- Continued substance abuse despite knowledge of persistent or recurrent problems that are caused by the substance