Adicción vs. dependencia
The Spanish words 'adicción' and 'dependencia' both relate to addiction, but they have distinct meanings and usage. Let's explore these differences with examples.
Adicción
'Adicción' refers to a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as drugs) or do something (such as gamble). It implies a compulsive behavior that negatively affects one's life.
Tiene una adicción a la nicotina.
(He has a nicotine addiction.)
La adicción al juego puede arruinar vidas.
(Gambling addiction can ruin lives.)
Está en tratamiento para su adicción a las drogas.
(He is in treatment for his drug addiction.)
Dependencia
'Dependencia' refers to the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else. This term can be less severe than 'adicción' and may not always have harmful implications, although it often does in contexts of substance abuse.
El bebé tiene una gran dependencia de su madre.
(The baby has a great dependence on his mother.)
Su dependencia del alcohol preocupa a sus amigos.
(His dependence on alcohol worries his friends.)
La tecnología ha creado una dependencia de los dispositivos móviles.
(Technology has created a dependence on mobile devices.)
Summary
While both 'adicción' and 'dependencia' relate to forms of reliance, 'adicción' tends to refer to harmful, compulsive behaviors usually related to substances or activities, while 'dependencia' is broader and can refer to any form of reliance, not necessarily negative.