Which term describes a physiological need for a drug that develops with prolonged use?

• A. Dependence
• B. Tolerance
• C. Addiction
• D. Craving

Answer: (A)

Physical dependence is a physiological adaptation to ongoing drug exposure in which the body comes to rely on the drug to function normally. When use continues, the body adjusts, and stopping the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms, illustrating that a physiological need has developed. Tolerance is related but different: it means the body requires increasing doses to achieve the same effect, due to adaptive changes in receptors or metabolism. Addiction involves compulsive use and behavioral patterns beyond the physiological need, and craving is a psychological urge that can persist independently of withdrawal. So the physiological need that emerges with prolonged use is dependence.