A person feels depressed when they stop using a drug. This describes which type of dependence?

• A. Physical dependence
• B. Psychological dependence
• C. Withdrawal
• D. Tolerance

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is psychological dependence. When someone feels depressed after stopping a drug, it signals emotional reliance on the drug to regulate mood or cope with feelings. The drug has become a coping mechanism, so removing it leads to negative emotions. This contrasts with physical dependence, where the hallmark is physical withdrawal symptoms like sweating, tremors, or nausea rather than mood changes. Tolerance means needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, which isn’t described here, and withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur during stopping, not the type of dependence itself.