Spanish word

drogodependencia

Pronunciation

IPA/dɾoɣoðepenˈdenθja/

Meaning

  • feminine noundrug addiction

Example

La drogodependencia afecta a muchas familias.

Drug addiction affects many families.

Illustration for drogodependencia (drug addiction)

More examples

El paciente recibió tratamiento para la drogodependencia en un centro local.

The patient received treatment for drug addiction at a local center.

Core concept

Chronic loss of control over drug use.

Common phrases

  • tratamiento para la drogodependencia

    treatment for drug addiction

  • recibir tratamiento por drogodependencia

    receive treatment for drug addiction

  • centro de tratamiento de la drogodependencia

    drug addiction treatment center

Similar words

adicción: Strong, chronic compulsion or craving to use a substance or repeat a behavior.
dependencia física: Physical reliance on a drug that produces withdrawal symptoms when use stops.
dependencia psicológica: Persistent mental craving and emotional reliance on a drug driving continued use.
abuso: Repeated inappropriate drug use that harms health, relationships, or daily functioning.

Definition in Spanish

Situación crónica en la que el consumo repetido de drogas provoca dependencia física o psicológica y limita la autonomía de la persona.

Word origin

Formed from droga (from French drogue) + dependencia (from Latin dependere 'to hang from'), literally meaning dependence on drugs.

Usage tips

  • Mostly used in medical or legal contexts; in casual speech speakers often use adicción or phrases like estar enganchado a las drogas for a less clinical tone.

Other meanings

  • narcotic addictionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • drogodependientedrug-dependentadjective

Word lists with this word