What term describes the decrease of drug-related rewards leading to increased cravings?

The term that describes the decrease of drug-related rewards leading to increased cravings is tolerance. Tolerance occurs when an individual needs increasingly larger amounts of a drug to achieve the same pleasurable effects that were originally experienced. As the body adapts to the presence of the drug, the rewarding effects diminish, which can cause the individual to crave the drug more intensely to regain that original feeling of reward. This creates a cycle where the person may consume more of the substance, further contributing to their dependence on it.

Understanding tolerance is crucial in the context of substance use and abuse, as it is a key factor that can lead to addiction. When someone develops tolerance, they may not only increase their use of the substance but also experience heightened cravings when the drug's effects wear off, leading to potential difficulties in managing their consumption.