What term describes the decreased effect of a drug requiring increasing doses for the same effect?

The term that describes the decreased effect of a drug requiring increasing doses for the same effect is tolerance. Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug over time, leading to reduced sensitivity to its effects. As a result, individuals may find that they need to take higher doses to achieve the same therapeutic or euphoric effect they originally experienced. This phenomenon is commonly seen with various substances, including opioids, alcohol, and certain medications, and can become a significant concern in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic contexts.

In contrast, dependence refers to a physical or psychological reliance on a substance, where withdrawal symptoms may occur if the drug is suddenly stopped. Addiction involves a compulsive pattern of use and a loss of control over drug-seeking behavior, often intertwined with psychological factors. Withdrawal describes the physical and mental symptoms that arise when a person reduces or stops drug use after dependence has developed. While these terms are related to substance use and pharmacologic effects, they capture different aspects of the interaction between a drug and the body.