Which statement defines dependence?

Which statement defines dependence?

• A. Withdrawal does not occur on stopping
• B. The body relies on the drug and withdrawal occurs if stopped
• C. It means you cannot feel any effect
• D. It is the same as tolerance

Answer: (B)

Dependence is a physiological state in which the body becomes adapted to chronic drug exposure, so stopping the drug triggers withdrawal symptoms because the body's systems have adjusted to its presence. The statement that dependence means the body relies on the drug and withdrawal occurs if stopped captures this idea clearly. This differs from tolerance, which is about needing higher doses to achieve the same effect; dependence and tolerance can occur together but are not the same thing. It’s not accurate to say withdrawal won’t occur, and dependence doesn’t mean you can’t feel any effect—the drug can still produce effects while you’re dependent, but stopping will lead to withdrawal.

Dependence is a physiological state in which the body becomes adapted to chronic drug exposure, so stopping the drug triggers withdrawal symptoms because the body's systems have adjusted to its presence. The statement that dependence means the body relies on the drug and withdrawal occurs if stopped captures this idea clearly. This differs from tolerance, which is about needing higher doses to achieve the same effect; dependence and tolerance can occur together but are not the same thing. It’s not accurate to say withdrawal won’t occur, and dependence doesn’t mean you can’t feel any effect—the drug can still produce effects while you’re dependent, but stopping will lead to withdrawal.