What term describes the body's physiological adaptation and continuing need for a drug?

The term that refers to the body's physiological adaptation and continuing need for a drug is physical dependence. This condition arises when an individual’s body becomes accustomed to a substance after prolonged exposure, leading to withdrawal symptoms when the substance is reduced or eliminated. Physical dependence highlights the body's biological adjustments that necessitate the ongoing presence of a drug to maintain normal physiological functioning.

In contrast, tolerance can occur as a result of physical dependence, where increasing amounts of the drug are required to achieve the same effect as before. While addiction encompasses a broader range of behaviors, including psychological and physical dependence, it specifically refers to the compulsive urge to use a substance despite adverse consequences. Psychological dependence focuses on the emotional or mental aspects of drug use, emphasizing cravings and the psychological need rather than the physiological adaptations of the body. Thus, physical dependence is the most accurate term related to the body's physiological adaptations to a drug.