dependence

dependence
The quality or condition of relying upon, being influenced by, or being subservient to a person or object reflecting a particular need. [L. dependeo, to hang from]
- anchorage d. the need of normal cells to have an appropriate surface to attach to in order for them to grow in culture.
- substance d. a pattern of behavioral, physiologic, and cognitive symptoms that develop due to substance use or abuse; usually indicated by tolerance to the effects of the substance and withdrawal symptoms that develop when use of the substance is terminated.

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de·pen·dence di-'pen-dən(t)s n
1) the quality or state of being dependent upon or unduly subject to the influence of another
2 a) drug addiction
b) HABITUATION (2b)

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n.
the physical and/or psychological effects produced by the habitual taking of certain drugs, characterized by a compulsion to continue taking the drug. In physical dependence withdrawal of the drug causes specific symptoms (withdrawal symptoms), such as sweating, vomiting, or tremors, that are reversed by further doses. Substances that may induce physical dependence include alcohol and the 'hard' drugs morphine, heroin, and cocaine. Dependence on 'hard' drugs carries a high mortality, partly because overdosage may be fatal and partly because their casual injection intravenously may lead to infections such as hepatitis and AIDS. Treatment is difficult and requires specialist skills. Much more common is psychological dependence, in which repeated use of a drug induces reliance on it for a state of well-being and contentment, but there are no physical withdrawal symptoms if use of the drug is stopped. Substances that may induce psychological dependence include nicotine in tobacco, cannabis, and many 'soft' drugs, such as barbiturates and amphetamines.

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de·pen·dence (de-penґdəns) 1. a state of relying on or requiring the aid of something, particularly for support or maintenance. 2. a state in which there is a compulsive or chronic need, as for a drug; see substance d.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dependence — De*pend ence, n. [LL. dependentia, fr. L. dependens. See {Dependent}, and cf. {Dependance}.] 1. The act or state of depending; state of being dependent; a hanging down or from; suspension from a support. [1913 Webster] 2. The state of being… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dependence — UK [dɪˈpendəns] / US or dependency UK [dɪˈpendənsɪ] / US noun [uncountable] ** 1) a situation in which you need someone or something in order to live or succeed dependence on: our dependence on our parents the industry s dependence on coal 2) the …   English dictionary

  • dependence — dependence, dependency The state of being connected to and subordinate to someone or something. The opposite of self reliance, this term may be encountered in a variety of sociological contexts. In the study of economic growth and the sociology… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • dependence — [dɪˈpendəns] or dependency [dɪˈpendənsi] noun [U] 1) a situation in which you need someone or something in order to live or succeed Syn: reliance the industry s dependence on coal[/ex] 2) the fact that someone is ADDICTED to a drug or to alcohol …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • dependence — dependence, dependency Dependence is ‘a state of depending’; dependency can also mean this but is more usually ‘something, especially a country or province, that is dependent on another’. The distinction was somewhat blurred by the emergence in… …   Modern English usage

  • dependence — / dependency [n1] confidence, reliance assurance, belief, credence, expectation, faith, hope, interdependence, responsibility, responsibleness, stability, steadiness, stock, trust, trustiness, trustworthiness; concepts 410,689 Ant. freedom,… …   New thesaurus

  • dependence — index faith, mainstay, mutuality, reliance, resource, trust (confidence) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton …   Law dictionary

  • dependence on — index credence Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • dependence — early 15c. (n.), c.1600 (adj.), from M.Fr. dépendance, from dependre (see DEPEND (Cf. depend)). Originally also DEPENDANCE (Cf. dependance) (the earlier form), depending whether the writer had French or Latin foremost in mind; the Latin form… …   Etymology dictionary

  • dependence — reliance, *trust, confidence, faith …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • dependence — or dependance [dē pen′dəns, dipen′dəns] n. [ME dependaunce < OFr dependance or ML dependentia < L dependens: see DEPENDENT] 1. the condition or fact of being dependent; specif., a) a being contingent upon or influenced, controlled, or… …   English World dictionary

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