The Differences Between Tolerance and Dependence

People talk about alcohol misuse and alcoholism, which makes sense  — they profoundly impact many of us. When talking about alcoholism, “tolerance” and “dependence” often come up. While many of us use these words interchangeably, doing so isn’t really right. The terms are related, but they actually refer to different concepts. 

Recognizing the differences is an important part of tackling alcohol issues; doing so helps ensure that you can get the right kind of support and treatment.

In 2020, about 10% of Americans aged 12 and up struggled with alcohol use disorder (AUD). That same year, nearly 25% of adults aged 18 and over admitted to binge drinking in the past month. 

Sadly, alcohol-related issues lead to the loss of about 385 American lives daily, predominantly among those 35 and older. For people between 15 and 49, alcohol is behind 10% of deaths, and this number rises to 13.5% for the 20-39 age group.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the differences between alcohol tolerance and dependence, and how they could lead to addiction.

Tolerance vs. Dependence

While related, alcohol tolerance and alcohol dependence are distinct concepts in terms of alcohol use. 

Tolerance to alcohol means your body is slowly getting used to it, and the signs may include the following:

• You will find that you need more drinks than before to feel relaxed or drunk.
• You might notice that the amount of alcohol that used to affect you doesn't have the same impact anymore.
• You tend to recover quickly and bounce back faster than you used to after a night of heavy drinking.

Dependence is a more complex and serious issue, and it could show up in different ways, such as the following:

• You might feel a really strong need to drink that’s hard to ignore.
• You start feeling shaky, anxious, or unwell when you haven’t had a drink.
• You might find it hard to control how much or how often you drink.
• You start skipping hobbies, events, or responsibilities because of drinking.
• You keep drinking even if it causes health problems or issues in your relationships.

What Is Tolerance to a Drug?

When you drink alcohol often, two major changes happen in your body. First, your liver becomes really good at breaking down alcohol. This means it takes more alcohol for you to feel its effects. Second, your brain starts adjusting to the alcohol. 

Normally, alcohol affects how brain chemicals work, making you feel relaxed or less inhibited. But with regular drinking, your brain tries to balance things out, and it will require more alcohol to get the same feeling.

People can develop this kind of tolerance quickly, especially if they drink a lot. It's also partly genetic — some people are just more likely to develop tolerance. However, increased tolerance has its dangers. It can lead you to drink more without realizing the harm it's causing, like an increased risk of accidents or health problems, including liver damage and brain changes.

Signs of Alcohol Tolerance

Seeing that you need more drinks to feel the buzz you used to get from just a few is a clear sign your body is getting used to alcohol. If alcohol doesn’t hit you as hard as it used to, or if you find yourself bouncing back quickly after drinking, these are signs of building tolerance. Your body is adjusting to drinking more, meaning you end up needing more alcohol as you binge drink to relax or feel its effects. 

Your body adapting to alcohol should serve as a heads-up to be mindful of your drinking habits, as it can lead to consuming too much. It’s important to recognize these changes because they could be the first steps toward alcohol dependence. 

Being aware of these signs is key to assessing your drinking and determining whether it’s time for a change.

What Is Dependence?

Alcohol dependence is more than just wanting a drink. It's when your body and brain start needing alcohol to function properly. When you don't drink, you might start shaking, sweating, feeling sick, or anxious — all of which shows how much your body relies on alcohol. 

Dependence isn’t just physical; you might feel a very strong emotional need to drink as well. This dependence can lead you to put drinking above everything else, even if it's harming your health or relationships. Understanding these signs is important because they show how serious the problem can be and why getting help matters.

Signs of Alcohol Dependence

If you're feeling a really strong need to drink that doesn't go away, that's a sign of craving, a key part of alcohol dependence. 

Also, if you start shaking, feeling sick, or anxious when you're not drinking, it means your body has become used to alcohol. There could also be withdrawal symptoms like shaking, nausea, or anxiety when you aren’t drinking. Sometimes, you might lose control of the amount or frequency of your drinking, or continue to drink even when it worsens your health.

Your relationships with your family, friends, or colleagues can also be affected because you might tend to give up or reduce the time spent on important activities, preferring to drink or needing to recover from a binge.

How Does Tolerance Develop Into Addiction?

A sign of growing tolerance is needing more alcohol to feel the same way you used to. As you keep drinking more over time, your body will start to depend on alcohol to feel normal. Not everyone who develops tolerance will become addicted; however, it’s a step in that direction. 

Eventually, this dependence can turn into addiction, where you can’t stop drinking even though you know it’s harmful to your body. Catching these changes as early as possible is important to avoid spiraling into addiction — and to seek help.

Action Steps for Healthy Habits

Because it is not just about drinking less, changing your relationship with alcohol involves a few key steps. You need to really get to know your drinking patterns, learn how alcohol affects you, and find the right support. Each step is part of the bigger shift toward handling alcohol in a healthier way.

• Track your intake. Keep a daily log of your alcohol consumption to help you spot trends and triggers. Note how much you drank, when, where, and how you were feeling at the time. Doing this can highlight different emotional and situational cues that lead to drinking.
• Educate yourself. Learning how alcohol affects your mind and body is important. At first, it could feel like it helps with stress, but over time, you might find that it worsens anxiety or other mental health issues. It’s also good to know about the serious health risks, how alcohol can change your behavior, and how it can affect relationships. Understanding the effects of alcohol tolerance, it can be eye-opening and can motivate you to rethink your drinking habits.
• Get professional support. Talking to doctors or addiction specialists can really make a difference in managing your drinking. They understand the deeper reasons why you might be drinking more than you want to, and they offer professional guidance like therapy, medication, and support groups (like our community) to support you in building healthier habits.
• Find healthy alternatives to alcohol. Explore social activities and non-alcoholic beverages that you can enjoy so that you can significantly improve not just your health but also your social relationships. Finding hobbies, trying out sports, or mixing mocktails can reduce your dependence on alcohol.
• Set achievable goals. Begin with small, achievable targets when you decide to cut back on alcohol. Your goals can be as simple as having a few alcohol-free days each week or limiting your number of drinks per occasion. Remember that gradual changes will lead you to lasting habits.
• Manage stress. Explore effective stress management techniques such as practicing meditation for stress relief, yoga, or a daily walk; these can help you relax and calm your mind. Fun activities like painting, gardening, or playing an instrument can also be therapeutic — they occupy your mind and can greatly reduce your urge to drink.

Beyond Alcohol Tolerance

Knowing the difference between tolerance and dependence can help you make healthier choices. It's about taking charge, whether you’re noticing that your tolerance for alcohol has suddenly changed or you’re figuring out if you’ve developed dependence.

This isn’t just about spotting problems; it's about making positive changes in your life. Every effort you make to understand and manage how you drink is a step towards healthier habits and a more balanced life.

If you want to cut back on your alcohol consumption but don’t know where to start, consider trying Reframe. We’re a neuroscience-backed app that has helped millions of people reduce their alcohol consumption and develop healthier lifestyle habits.