Which statement about the relationship between addiction and physical dependence is true?

Which statement about the relationship between addiction and physical dependence is true?

• A. Physical dependence can occur without addiction
• B. Addiction always occurs with physical dependence
• C. They are the same thing
• D. Neither occurs with tolerance

Answer: (A)

Physical dependence is a physiological adaptation to repeated drug exposure that produces withdrawal symptoms if use is reduced or stopped. Addiction is a behavioral pattern that includes compulsive drug-seeking and use, continued despite harm, and impaired control. These are related but distinct processes, so one can occur without the other. This statement is true because you can develop physical dependence from long-term use of a substance (for example, a prescribed opioid for chronic pain) and then experience withdrawal if you stop, even though you may not engage in compulsive drug-seeking or misuse outside the prescribed context. Conversely, not all cases of addiction involve a clear, ongoing withdrawal syndrome, and addiction can arise from patterns of use without prominent physical withdrawal. The other options imply that addiction and physical dependence always coincide, or that they are the same thing, or that tolerance rules out both. In reality, tolerance and the two conditions can occur together or separately, underscoring that they are related concepts but not identical.

Physical dependence is a physiological adaptation to repeated drug exposure that produces withdrawal symptoms if use is reduced or stopped. Addiction is a behavioral pattern that includes compulsive drug-seeking and use, continued despite harm, and impaired control. These are related but distinct processes, so one can occur without the other.

This statement is true because you can develop physical dependence from long-term use of a substance (for example, a prescribed opioid for chronic pain) and then experience withdrawal if you stop, even though you may not engage in compulsive drug-seeking or misuse outside the prescribed context. Conversely, not all cases of addiction involve a clear, ongoing withdrawal syndrome, and addiction can arise from patterns of use without prominent physical withdrawal.

The other options imply that addiction and physical dependence always coincide, or that they are the same thing, or that tolerance rules out both. In reality, tolerance and the two conditions can occur together or separately, underscoring that they are related concepts but not identical.