Which term is used to describe the need for increased usage of a drug as time passes?

The term used to describe the need for increased usage of a drug over time is tolerance. Tolerance occurs when an individual’s body becomes accustomed to a drug, leading to a reduced response to its effects. As a result, a person may require higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effect that was initially experienced with a lower dose. This phenomenon is a key aspect of substance use and can indicate a developing pattern of use that may lead to dependence.

Dependency refers to a state in which an individual relies on a substance to function normally, often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not available. Withdrawal is the set of symptoms that arise when a person stops using a drug that they have become dependent on. Psychological need involves emotional or mental compulsion to use a substance rather than a physical dependence. While related, these terms have distinct meanings in the context of substance use and do not specifically refer to the progressive increase in the dosage needed for effect, which is what tolerance precisely describes.