TABLE 16.

Definitions developed by the Liaison Committee on Pain and Addiction (LCPA)

Addiction

A primary, chronic, neurobiological disease, with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.

It is characterized by behaviours that include one or more of the following: Impaired control over drug use; Compulsive use; Continued use despite harm; and Craving

Physical dependence

A state of adaptation manifested by a drug class-specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug and/or administration of an antagonist

Tolerance

A state of adaptation in which exposure to the drug results in changes that result in a diminution of one or more of the drugs effects over time

From reference 189. The LCPA is made up of representatives from the American Pain Society, the Americal Academy of Pain Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine