This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Development of dependence

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The first use of a drug is in one of four contexts - recreational, therapeutic, instrumental or cultural.

Dependence may be physical or psychological, and the problems of drug use are in the following areas - social, psychological, physical, and legal.

The outcome of a use of drugs depends on:-

  • the drug - its availability, form, and its ability to induce reinforcement
  • the individual - curious, rebellious, pleasure-seeking, unhappy or vulnerable types, also the response to the drug, motivation, self view and coping abilities
  • the culture - deprivation, constriants, peer groups, the age of instant gratification

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.