Notes: Week 1

1. Dependence vs. Addiction

The distinction between dependence and addiction can be important,
particularly when talking about clinical medications like opiates for pain.
Dependence is a state of chronic drug taking where withdrawal is experienced if
the drug taking is stopped. Withdrawal can be a serious state and can drive
additional drug taking.
Addiction is seeking and taking drugs such that there are negative consequences
in life.
They are not identical. For example, when someone is taking opiates for chronic
pain to make life bearable, they are dependent on the medication and will likely
experience some degree of withdrawal if the drug is abruptly stopped. But they
are not necessarily addicted, because there is no seeking and drug taking that is
having negative consequences in their lives. Dependence can be tolerated as a
side effect when there are benefits.
Many clinically used medications produce some kind of withdrawal syndrome if
they are abruptly stopped. Taking these medications should be under the
direction of a physician who is likely to gradually wean the patient away from
the medication when needed.

2. Does this course apply only to one country or locale?
The major ideas in this course about the processes of addiction are universal.
But there are some statistics, examples, policies, laws, and studies that apply
mainly to the USA or to western countries. However, this is not unimportant for
others. At the very least, they can be looked upon as examples that need to be
considered wherever you are.