a doctor shows a patient information on a tablet about dependence vs. addiction

Understanding the Difference Between Dependence vs. Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction and dependence are severe disorders that affect tens of millions of people worldwide. Over 20 million people suffer from substance use disorders yearly in the United States alone. Within the medical and mental health communities, which encompass substance use disorders, the terms “dependence” and “addiction” have often been used interchangeably, adding…