What term describes the ability to mask signs of intoxication or needing a larger dose for impairment?

The term that describes the ability to mask signs of intoxication or the need for a larger dose for impairment is "tolerance." Tolerance occurs when a person becomes accustomed to the effects of a substance over time, leading them to require more of that substance to achieve the same effects they once experienced with smaller amounts. This adaptation can make it challenging to recognize signs of intoxication because the individual may not exhibit the typical behaviors or physical symptoms associated with impairment.

In contrast, dependence refers to a condition where a person has a physical or psychological need for a substance, often leading to withdrawal symptoms when they do not use it. Withdrawal is the process of experiencing physical and mental symptoms after stopping or reducing intake of an addictive substance. Intoxication reflects the state of being affected by a substance in a way that alters one’s mental or physical faculties, but it does not capture the process of needing increasingly larger doses to achieve the same level of effect.