Tolerance & dependence

Tolerance

Alcohol tolerance refers to a progressive state where, over time, an individual drinker will need to consume progressively more alcohol to achieve the same effect.

Dependence

Psychological dependence occurs when using a drug becomes more important than other activities in a person’s life.

Physical dependence upon a drug occurs when a person’s body is used to functioning with the drug present in the system.

Alcohol dependence affects physical and mental health, and causes problems with family, friends, and work. It is characterized by a mental and/or physical need to consume alcohol in order to prevent the pains of withdrawal.