Which statement best differentiates physical dependence from psychological dependence?

• A. Physical dependence is emotional need
• B. Psychological dependence is emotional need
• C. Physical dependence involves withdrawal symptoms due to physiological need
• D. Psychological dependence causes withdrawal symptoms

Answer: (B)

Psychological dependence is about emotional need: people develop cravings and a compulsion to use the substance to feel better or cope with emotions, even if there isn’t a strong physiological withdrawal. That emotional pull is the hallmark that differentiates it from physical dependence.

Physical dependence, by contrast, is about the body adapting to the drug. When use ceases or the dose drops, withdrawal symptoms appear because of the body's physiological changes, and tolerance can develop as the body requires more to achieve the same effect.

So the statement that best differentiates the two is that psychological dependence is an emotional need. The other ideas blur the distinction: physical dependence is not defined primarily by emotional need, and withdrawal symptoms are a feature of physical dependence rather than psychological dependence.