avhengige

Avhengige is a Norwegian term used to describe individuals who are dependent on something or someone for support or functioning. The word is the plural form of avhengig and is commonly used in social, medical, and policy contexts. It can refer to people who rely on economic or caregiving arrangements, such as dependents in families, as well as to individuals characterized by substance use disorders, where a person is dependent on alcohol, drugs, or other substances. In everyday language, avhengige is often used together with avhengig av to indicate dependence on something (for example, avhengige av rusmidler or avhengige av hjelp).

In health and social welfare contexts, avhengige are a focus of treatment and support services, including addiction treatment, housing assistance, and employment programs. The modern approach emphasizes person-centred care, non-stigmatizing language, and rights-based services, aiming to reduce dependency through treatment, recovery support, and social integration. The term is neutral but can carry stigma if used in a judgmental way, so professionals often prefer precise phrasing such as personer med avhengighet or personer som er avhengige av...

Etymology: avhengige derives from avhengig, meaning dependent or reliant. The concept spans various domains, from family caregiving and financial dependence to medical addiction, showing that dependency is a broad social phenomenon rather than a single issue. See also avhengighet, avhengig, and rusmiddelavhengighet for related terms.