Final answer:
The term for needing to drink larger amounts of alcohol to achieve the same pleasurable effects is referred to as tolerance, which is associated with physiological dependence and can lead to increased consumption to dangerous levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The need to drink larger and larger amounts of alcohol to get the equivalent pleasurable sensations associated with alcohol intake is referred to as tolerance. This term describes the phenomenon that occurs when a drug user requires more and more of a given drug in order to experience the same effects of the drug. In the context of substance use, tolerance is linked to physiological dependence, and it can lead to the user increasing the amount of drug used to potentially dangerous levels.
It is important to differentiate between tolerance and other concepts such as withdrawal, dependence, and addiction. Withdrawal refers to a variety of negative symptoms experienced when drug use is discontinued. Dependence may be physical or psychological, whereas addiction refers to the compulsive use of a substance such as a psychoactive drug despite negative consequences.
Therefore, in the context of alcohol, increased consumption to achieve previously experienced effects signifies the development of tolerance. This can be a precursor to more serious conditions such as addiction and dependence, making it a critical concept in understanding substance use disorders and the need for rehabilitation.