Final answer:
Psychological dependence is the emotional need for a substance, used often to relieve psychological distress, distinct from physical dependence which causes withdrawal symptoms.
Tolerance and psychological dependence can lead to addiction. Treatment can include psychotherapy, support groups, and medication-assisted treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, there is such a thing as psychological dependence, which is an emotional, rather than a physical, need for a substance, often used to alleviate psychological discomfort.
Unlike physical dependence that results in withdrawal symptoms upon cessation, psychological dependence is characterized by a strong emotional desire or craving to continue using a substance to achieve a certain psychological state, such as relief from stress, pain, or anxiety.
This dependence can develop from the habitual use of various psychoactive substances including alcohol, nicotine, or prescription medications.
Tolerance is a related concept where a person needs increasingly larger doses of a substance to achieve the original effects. This need can lead to higher consumption of the substance, possibly escalating to dangerous levels or even overdose.
Both tolerance and psychological dependence can contribute to the overall condition of addiction, which is the compulsive use of a drug despite harmful consequences.
Rehabilitation efforts often involve psychotherapy and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Sometimes, medication-assisted treatments may be employed to mitigate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, thereby aiding recovery without creating new dependencies.