When it comes to addiction, people typically only think about the physical side effects that manifest. However, they face several emotional and mental problems too. In fact, there’s a difference between addiction, psychological dependence, and physical dependence. Below is more information about each of these and how mental dependence develops.
What Is Psychological Dependence?
Mental or psychological dependence is a condition that affects people’s emotions. It involves motivational and emotional withdrawal symptoms when they don’t get their drugs or stop taking them. People can also develop emotional dependence on activities. For example, those with sex addiction feel these symptoms when they don’t have sex.
The withdrawal symptoms that occur with psychological dependence vary depending on the person. Some of the most common include:
- Reduced ability to feel pleasure
- Anxiety
- Dissatisfaction with life
- State of unease
- Depression
How Does Mental Dependence Develop?
In general, emotional dependence occurs much in the same way as physical dependence. People develop it with continuous exposure to a certain stimuli. Drug use is often the stimulus that comes to mind. However, other activities such as gambling, shopping, and sex can cause dependence too.
However, unlike physical dependence, people don’t always experience symptoms that are obvious to others. Some of them adapt and hide feelings of anxiety and depression when they don’t engage in their stimulus of choice.
How Does Mental Dependence Differ?
Mental and physical dependence are very close in nature. Both develop after repeated exposure to a stimulus.
However, people don’t have physical withdrawal symptoms with mental dependence. Examples include shaking, cold sweats, and vomiting. For this reason, physical dependence tends to happen more with drug addiction than other addictions such as gambling.
Despite that, mental dependence can still occur with drug addiction. In addition to the psychological symptoms above, people can have trouble sleeping, restlessness, and mood swings.
How Does Dependency Differ From Addiction?
People use dependency and addiction interchangeably. However, the two differ in several ways. With dependency, the body physically or mentally needs the stimulus. The brain adapts to the drug and requires it to function normally.
Addiction, on the other hand, is a compulsive need for the stimulus in question. It robs people of their ability to choose to engage in the stimulus or not. Even if the addiction hurts them, they can’t bring themselves to stop.
We Can Help You
At Denver Recovery, we can help you overcome both dependency and addiction. Our facilities offer great programs that can lead you down the path to sobriety. We create custom treatment plans to ensure that you get the help that you need, including:
Don’t let your psychological dependence or addiction control your life. Let us show you what it takes to overcome drug use and reach out to our staff members today at (844) 602-3175 for more information.
