I think a distinction between dependence and addiction makes sense. Im not sure how people find this confusing, personally. People dont compulsively take ssris. Like, you dont run out early. If you run out of Xanax or oxy early, you are abusing it, and showing signs of addictive behavior. If you have extra at the end of the month, you probably have a somewhat healthy relationship to your medication.

The coffee thing shows either a contrarian attitude or a naive one. Im tempted to say, go do a bump of coke and tell me thats a similar animal. Its not.

There isnt really a fuzzy line here, its pretty clear to all involved that someone is an addict. When you cross the line from just a bad choice or two, to a consistent clear problem affecting your daily life isnt always clear.

Its the way if affects your life that matters imo. If you find yourself benefiting and not harmed, im not here to say you should change something. I’ve heard a lot of people say they needed the liquid courage of a drink to work, or speak in public though, so it’s common to kid yourself about the negatives while focusing on the perceived benefits. Usually its, just letting loose at night or on the weekend, and the usage, or its consequences, leak into daily life. At the end of the road, there is no normal daily life, but at the start and for a time it can be hangovers or withdrawal due to limited access. When you decide its something worth addressing is up to the individual.