|
|
Article: Tolerance and Physical Dependence
- Article from:
- Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
TOLERANCE AND PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE
Tolerance and physical dependence are common
consequences
of drug self-administration. For those interested in understanding and modifying alcohol and drug abuse and the problems they cause, the greatest importance of tolerance and physical dependence is in the contribution they make as
determinants
of drug self-administration. Some alcoholics, for example, can appear normal at Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC) that would prostrate most social drinkers. What role, if any, does tolerance play in paving the way to an escalation in drug use and in the medical and psychological problems caused by heavy drug use? In addition to being highly tolerant, ...