What is the best indicator of physical dependence on alcohol or drugs?

The presence of withdrawal symptoms is the best indicator of physical dependence on alcohol or drugs because it signifies that the body has adapted to the substance and has developed a physiological need for it. When an individual stops using the substance after prolonged use, the body reacts negatively due to the absence of that substance, leading to various withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

These symptoms reflect physiological changes in the body and can include signs such as tremors, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and seizures, depending on the substance involved. The experience of withdrawal is a clear signal that the body has become physically dependent and is struggling to maintain homeostasis without the substance in its system.

In contrast, while increased social isolation, frequency of use, and the amount consumed daily can indicate behavioral patterns associated with substance use, they do not specifically signify physical dependence. Social isolation reflects social or psychological issues, frequency of use measures the behavioral aspect of consumption, and amount consumed daily may indicate severity of use but not necessarily the physical dependence aspect that is distinctly indicated by withdrawal symptoms.