Columbus State Introduction to Psychology Exam 1 Practice 2026 - Free Psychology Practice Questions and Study Resources

Physical dependence is the body's physiological adaptation to regular drug use. When the drug is stopped, the body must readjust, leading to withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, tremors, nausea, anxiety, or other uncomfortable effects. This distinguishes it from tolerance, where a person needs higher doses to achieve the same effect because the body becomes less responsive to the drug. The other terms refer to drug types rather than the body's adaptive process.