The central feature of tolerance, in the context of biological psychology, is the reduced reaction a DRUG produces following its repeated administration. Tolerance can be seen to have developed when the original effect of the drug can only be achieved using larger (and progressively larger) doses. With ABSTINENCE though, tolerance will decline. A single drug may have more than one psychological or behavioural effect: tolerance may develop to one of these but not the other. The BENZODIAZEPINE drug, CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE, is both a SEDATIVE and ANXIOLYTIC.
