Dependence vs. Addiction: The Similarities and Critical Differences

First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you. — F. Scott Fitzgerald

NOTE: This article provides a simplified overview of the basic distinctions between dependence and addiction. It’s important to recognize that the problem of addiction is complicated and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. The nuances of individual experiences and the broad spectrum of substance use disorders cannot be fully encapsulated in a brief overview…