Which statement best defines physical dependency?

Which statement best defines physical dependency?

• A. A physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued
• B. A casual interest in trying new medications
• C. A temporary tolerance to a drug after limited use
• D. A dislike for the side effects of drugs

Answer: (A)

Physical dependence is about the body adapting to a drug so that stopping it causes withdrawal symptoms. When the drug is discontinued, the body reacts, producing withdrawal signs because it has come to rely on the drug to function normally. That physiological need is what this statement is capturing. It’s different from simply being curious about trying medications, which is not a physiological response; it’s also different from tolerance, which is needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, and from simply disliking side effects, which is about preferences rather than the body’s dependence. For example, someone accustomed to a substance over time may experience shaking, sweating, or nausea if they stop taking it, illustrating physical dependence.

Physical dependence is about the body adapting to a drug so that stopping it causes withdrawal symptoms. When the drug is discontinued, the body reacts, producing withdrawal signs because it has come to rely on the drug to function normally. That physiological need is what this statement is capturing. It’s different from simply being curious about trying medications, which is not a physiological response; it’s also different from tolerance, which is needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, and from simply disliking side effects, which is about preferences rather than the body’s dependence. For example, someone accustomed to a substance over time may experience shaking, sweating, or nausea if they stop taking it, illustrating physical dependence.