Question

Explain “addiction” and “dependence” in respect of drug/alcohol abuse in youth.

Answer 1

Hint: Drug and alcohol use by the youth is very common and can lead to several deaths every year. Drugs and alcohol act like brain depressants. They suppress the production of neurotransmitters like noradrenaline.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we must know about the meaning of addition and dependence of drugs or alcohol in youth.

Addiction: Addiction is a psychological disorder by the continuous use of substance abuse despite having harmful consequences. It is a biological process which is due to the repeated exposure to the additive stimuli. The example of most common addiction in youth is alcohol, drugs like cocaine, marijuana, nicotine addiction etc.

The drug and alcohol addiction can lead to various consequences like liver cirrhosis, dementia, loss of productivity, suicides, homicides, and other long term effects.

Dependence: It is a psychic and physical state in which the behaviour and other responses are being led due to the compulsion to take the drug or substance on a continuous basis. Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease in which a person is unable to stop himself from drinking.

It leads to severe withdrawal problems and discomfort in the absence of the same. Some common withdrawal symptoms are sweating, goosebumps, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia and muscle pain.


Note: Addiction and dependence are totally different as addiction can be curbed through therapy but dependence cannot be curbed as it is a physical state. The substance dependence and addiction can put a person at risk and its detoxification requires special centres and additional assistance to overcome.