Psychological dependence
The term psychological dependence is generally meant to describe the emotional and mental processes that are associated with the development of, and recovery from, a substance use disorder or process addiction. The symptoms of psychological dependence can vary from person to person, but they usually include a mix of the following: a belief that you need the substance to do certain things, whether that’s sleeping, socializing, or just generally functioning; strong emotional cravings for the substance; loss of interest in your usual activities; spending a lot of time using or thinking about the substance.
How is it treated?
Treating psychological dependence is a bit more complex. For some folks dealing with both a physical and psychological dependence, the psychological side of things sometimes resolves on its own once the physical dependence is treated. In most cases, though, working with a therapist is the best course for addressing psychological dependence, whether it occurs on its own or alongside physical dependence. In therapy, you’ll typically explore patterns that trigger your use and work to create new patterns of thought and behaviour.
Armstrong, L., Manwarren, W., Regan, J., Thomas, S., Kelley, R., Fuller, K., Ackermann, K. (2024). What Is Psychological Dependence? Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/42w6FJ0
Raypole, C. (2020). Everything You Need to Know About Psychological Dependence. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/4axb40C