What is the term for the body's adjustment to repeated drug use leading to diminished effects?

The term for the body's adjustment to repeated drug use that leads to diminished effects is tolerance. Tolerance occurs when a person uses a substance regularly, and over time, they require a larger dose to achieve the same effect that they initially experienced with a smaller amount. This physiological adaptation can result from various mechanisms, including changes in receptor sensitivity or the metabolism of the drug in the body, allowing the individual to experience less of the drug’s effects despite continued use at the same dosage.

This phenomenon is important in understanding substance use disorders, as it can lead individuals to consume higher amounts of a drug, increasing the risk of potential harm or overdose. Tolerance is a fundamental concept in pharmacology and addiction studies, highlighting the changes that occur in the body's response to drugs with regular use.