Over time these symptoms may worsen and other more severe ones might take their place. More so than the physical withdrawal symptoms, it is the cravings and psychological dependence that lead a person to use Marijuana again. It is also psychological dependence that is more likely to lead a person to enter treatment. Some addictions affect a person mentally, some cause physical symptoms, and sometimes addictions can become both physical and psychological. It is important to understand if an addiction is physical, mental, or both in order to identify the best course of treatment. North Jersey Recovery Center believes that addiction is a disorder that affects both the body and mind.

The psychological addiction process starts when the addictive agent activates the pleasure center in the brain. As a result, the person wants to recreate the same pleasurable feelings by using the specific substance again. In other words, the brain’s biology plays a crucial role in the development of psychological addiction. More precisely, upon taking a drug or substance, the activation of the brain’s nucleus accumbens ensues. Withdrawal symptoms from drugs and alcohol vary due to the substance used, the duration of use, and the individualized withdrawal process. Fatigue, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, appetite issues, and sleep problems can all occur during withdrawal, dependent upon the substance used.

Physical vs Psychological Substance Dependence

A therapist who specializes in CBT may ask a recovering addict to track the thoughts that happen when they want to use drugs and alcohol. They can use these patterns to help them move forward in the process of recovery. Not unlike addiction, physiological dependency changes your brain chemistry. Tolerance does build up over time, which changes how the brain reacts to the presence of the drug.

It may release fewer neurotransmitters, hormones, or chemicals until it detects the drug in your system. Firstly, physiological dependence does not necessarily mean you or a loved one has a substance use disorder. The differences between the two can be hard to distinguish, but one does not mean the other. The reason for wanting to be alone can be because of shame or just the substance taking over one’s life. To combat addiction, it would be helpful to have loved ones help you overcome and be a part of your recovery life.

Social Symptoms

Furthermore, the brain and body don’t feel “rewarded” until they receive the substance. The main difference between physical and psychological dependence is that physical dependence is a normal response to chronic drug use. In contrast, psychological dependence is a disease that affects the brain and can cause compulsive drug-seeking behavior that then potentially leads to addiction and abuse. Detox is usually the first program in an addiction treatment center. Recovering addicts will stop or taper off the substance they are addicted to.

Alcohol can be used in heavy doses that are gravely disabling and induce severe physical dependence with convulsions on sudden withdrawal; i.e. for the individual the drug is ‘hard’. But there are many people mildly psychologically dependent on it who retain their position in the home and society. Psychological Vs Physiological Dependence Physical dependence alone, meaning the development of a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation of the drug, is not evidence of addiction. If you find yourself struggling with a heavily joint physical and psychological addiction, you should definitely seek professional help.

Substance Abuse

Outpatient treatment is suitable for persons whose addiction is not severe and individuals who completed inpatient treatment and need support to stay clean. These also include regular counseling sessions as well as support groups. Moreover, all psychological processes have physical underpinnings, and all complex behaviors have significant psychological elements.

When it comes to withdrawal, most people usually think of classic physiological addiction withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, irritability, and appetite changes, among others. According to a paper from the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, trauma and addiction tend to co-occur. For example, 66% of women and 11% of men with opioid addiction have a history of sexual abuse.