What Is the Difference Between Dependence and Addiction? Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 28, 2026 •History Dependence is primarily a physiological state in which the body adapts to the presence of a substance. Addiction, by contrast, is characterized by behavioral and psychological patterns involving compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Dependence and addiction are related but distinct concepts used to describe different aspects of substance use and its effects on the body and behavior. Thus, although sometimes used interchangeably in everyday language, the terms refer to different phenomena in medical and...

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