What is the difference between substance abuse and substance dependence?

When people talk about addiction, they are usually referring to the harmful behavior associated with substance abuse. Dependence refers to the physical symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance.

What is a medicine dependent person?

Drug dependence is defined as a psychic and physical state of the person characterized by behavioral and other responses resulting in compulsions to take a medicine, on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its psychic effect and at times to avoid the discomfort of its absence.

What are the characteristics of substance dependent?

It is characterized by compulsive medicine craving, seeking, and use that persists even if the user is aware of severe adverse consequences. For some people, addiction becomes chronic, with periodic relapses even after long periods of abstinence.