Did you realize there’s a difference between "addiction" and "chemical dependence"? You can be chemically dependent (on drugs or alcohol, etc.) but not be addicted to those substances; one doesn’t necessarily mean the other.
Addiction carries with it a psychological attachment that chemical dependence doesn’t.
It took a little while for the distinction to sink in, but once it did, it made a lot of sense…especially as I thought about people in my life who’ve suffered with one or the other…or both.
I didn’t realize there was actually a difference. I thought the two terms were pretty interchangeable. Interesting.
So, then I can truly say someone is addicted to marijuana. (I have this argument with my sister all the time. She says it isn’t addictive – I say it is – psychologically).
And then a drug like meth or heroine causes chemical dependency. (as does nicotine)
Thanks for verifying my claims.
It is all scary.
I did not realize this until someone close to me underwent treatment this year for dependency. I attended a couple of rehab meetings with this person, and it was truly eye opening. It was the most educational thing I’ve done in years.
I did not know that!
Hhhmmm.
Wow…that is really interesting! Thank you for sharing!
You know, this makes a lot of sense, especially when you think about certain addictions that don’t involve any chemical dependency, for example, gambling.
Certain people are susceptible to having an addictive personality, while others are not, I’ve always believed that. And I can also see how even someone without an addictive personality could become “dependant” on some drug, or cigarrettes, or alcohol…or even something as basic and everyday as caffeine.
Very thought provoking post!
I didn’t know that, but you’re right, I can see how that makes sense.
You may always be an alcohol (an addict) though you’re not chemically dependent on it at the time.
Huh.
It seems like that is something I really should know.
My mind’s been trying to wrap itself around this since you posted.
That’s the principle behind methadone.
Yeah, this still is settling in my mind…
Hulagirl…I’m sure…:/hope everything’s going well with the person you mentioned.
Karina, there are SOOooo many things you can look at as addictions when you separate the two….
WT, you mean chemical? or psych?
Everything is going very well, thanks. Not every rehab story is like the ones you see on TV. Sometimes it works! It’s a lifelong journey, though.