What is the Difference between Drug Use and Drug Addiction

Our recovery team and our clinical team work hand-in-hand to address all your needs. Our treatment specialists are available 24/7 to discuss your options and help you find a solution to your problem. His business depends on buying properties for as little as $4,000 to $6,000 — including former drug houses — and then fixing them up himself for another $20,000 or so. One patient who came in on a recent Wednesday said he knew of at least seven members of his high school football team — and 30 people at his school, including the homecoming king and queen — who died from overdoses. Those with the most hurdles — addiction, mental illness, criminal convictions and poverty, in the case of housing — are most likely to be stuck at the end of the line and shut out of a tight market.

Not all physical dependency should be treated as something to be fixed, though. Bear in mind a person can be dependent on certain medications for chronic conditions that will be required for the rest of their life. For example, a person with type 1 diabetes (sometimes called insulin-dependent diabetes) will not be treated for this dependency as it is necessary to their survival. This article will share more about the differences between substance use disorder and physical dependency.

What substances are associated with substance use disorder?

A person who is chemically dependent on a drug might show different physiological changes around chronic usage, tolerance levels, and even withdrawal symptoms. Recognizing the signs of addiction is critical in helping your loved one overcome their struggles. Common indicators include changes in behavior, neglecting responsibilities, financial problems, physical changes, altered sleep patterns, and increased tolerance to a substance. It’s necessary to approach them with compassion and understanding, acknowledging that addiction is a disease and not a moral failing. Various treatment programs are available, including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, therapy, and medication-assisted professional treatment. Addiction is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide, including our loved ones.

• Any substance that causes withdrawal symptoms, including all physically addictive substances, is initially treated with a medical detox.
• It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
• While the two are no longer differentiated in the DSM, it can still be helpful to understand their original definitions.
• The DSM-IV defined abuse and dependence as two separate disorders.
• However, that person may not have an addiction that compels them to use or abuse the drug.

Another common term used to describe problematic substance use is addiction. Although they are often used interchangeably, they have distinct differences that can affect an individual’s behavior, coping https://ecosoberhouse.com/ mechanisms, and treatment options. Abuse is the excessive or improper use of a substance like alcohol or drug, which can lead to negative consequences for the individual and those around them.

Substance Use Disorder

The scientific construct of addiction has a rich and evolving history. These calls are offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither this site nor anyone who answers the call receives a commission or fee dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose. Calls from your area will be answered by Legacy Healing Center, and network of treatment centers who can be found here  Any treatment center receiving calls from the site is a paid advertiser.

• Alcohol and drug addiction are complex issues that require accurate language and understanding.
• Some people are more prone to addiction and dependence than others, in which case abuse very quickly evolves into dependence.
• Did you know that substance abuse can lead to other health issues such as addiction and dependence, which are both considered diseases?
• Because of the way drug use changes how your brain responds to stressful situations, these triggers signal to the brain that it needs the drug.

The question of what type of substance use can be considered normal or acceptable remains controversial. Substance use disorder is caused by multiple factors, including genetic vulnerability, environmental addiction vs dependence stressors, social pressures, individual personality characteristics, and psychiatric problems. But which of these factors has the biggest influence in any one person cannot be determined in all cases.

Understanding Drug Addiction Terminology

But over time, you may need more drinks, more often, for the same effect. Our representatives work for a treatment center and will discuss whether their facility may be an option for you. When someone is dependent, their body adapts to a drug and requires more of it to achieve the same effect. No longer taking that drug produces symptoms, including withdrawal syndrome.

But this state best known for coal mines and the leafy Appalachian Mountains has one of the country’s lowest rates of homelessness. The leading source to diagnose and understand addiction comes from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM-IV defines dependence and abuse as two completely different disorders. In the most recent edition, however, it does not have this distinction. Alcohol dependence refers to being unable to stop drinking without experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. People often continue drinking to alleviate these unpleasant symptoms.

The Role of Drugs and Alcohol

In these cases, integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders is required, no matter the severity of the dependence and/or addiction. Detoxification is not always needed—this depends on the extent of the withdrawal symptoms upon stopping drug abuse. In near every case of substance use disorders, however, therapy and education is an important step towards recovery. Addiction manifests as a combination of physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms. However, a person who is dependent on a drug may not addicted to it.

• In this article, we will explore the science behind substance use disorder.
• A person who has a substance use disorder prioritizes seeking and using the drug above all else, and may act irrationally when they do not have the drug in their system.
• Referring to this condition as alcohol use disorder is more accurate and less stigmatizing.
• Stopping suddenly will likely cause symptoms, and they can be serious.
• Dependence is characterized by tolerance or withdrawal symptoms, and can be a consequence of many drugs, such as pain medications, stimulants, and antidepressants.