Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction

What is the distinction between drug addiction and drug abuse? Are these two problems linked?

These are questions that many people ask because knowing when someone who abuses drugs crosses into addiction is not simple.

However, the  American Psychiatric Association has given parameters via the Diagnostic and  Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These distinctions are used by doctors and courts to justify whether someone is having drug abuse or drug addiction.

In this article, we will discuss:

■ What is drug abuse?

■ What is drug addiction?

■ What is the difference between the two?

■ What are the dangers and effects?

Knowing more about drug and alcohol problems can significantly help you in defeating them. Addicts may have different help requirements from abusers, and figuring out what works should improve cessation.

Nevertheless, if you or anyone you know is suffering from the effects of any amount of drug use, you will need to check addictionanswers.com for all the help you can get when breaking the habit.

Whether you are having substance abuse or addiction, it will be easier to get over your problems by not being alone and having an entire support system for a comfortable and painless cessation.

The best way to stop the problem is by enrolling in a professional detoxification facility where there is 24/7 medical attention.

Now, let’s break things down.

What is Drug Abuse?

Society and science use the term drug abuse if you intake drugs in a controlled manner, but doing so causes problems in your everyday life. This means you control the doses and the highs but are having problems concentrating in school or work or having issues with your finances due to your vice.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health or the NSDUH, 19.7 million American adults aged 12-years-old and older have had a bout of substance use.

This problem is thought of as not as severe as drug addiction. However, the impact is just as harmful.

Here are signs that you might have a drug abuse problem.

If these have happened to you more than once in the past year or twelve months, you have to break the habit as soon as possible.

■ You have had legal issues while on the drug.

■ You have caused physical harm to people while intoxicated.

■ You have done under-the-influence activities while on drugs.

■ You have become incapable of handling responsibilities.

Drug Abuse Can Lead to Addiction.

Studies have shown that those who start experimenting with alcohol by the age of fifteen (15) are highly susceptible to becoming addicted in the long run. The same way goes for other drugs and illicit substances.

Continuous substance abuse will eventually lead to drug addiction when not stopped at the door.

What is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is when you have an uncontrollable and compulsive need for using drugs or alcohol despite the apparent adverse effects on your health and social life.

For example, when you still keep on drinking even if you are already suffering from daily ulcer pains, nausea, and severe hangovers, you are considered an addict.

Genetics and environmental factors affecting gene expression account for 40-60% of a people’s risk of addiction.

The environmental factors that could make a person more susceptible to addiction are a chaotic home environment, any form of abuse, parental drug use, peer influences, community drug status, and poor education.

So those who start with drug abuse and have these underlying situations will most probably become drug addicts or alcoholics in the future.

Here are signs that you might be suffering from drug addiction.

If you have experienced any two or more of the following in the past year or twelve months, you are a candidate for treatment, and you have to get help ASAP.

■ You go have withdrawal symptoms 10-24 hours after your last drug intake.

■ You have increased the dosage of your substance to have the same high.

■ You have lost interest in things that you used to be happy doing.

■ You have isolated yourself from your friends and family.

■ You pattern your daily schedule centering your vice.

■ You have tried to stop your habit but already failed a number of times.

■ No matter what pain or inconvenience it gives you, you continue using the drug.

We Have to Treat Abuse and Addiction

Whether you or anyone you know is suffering from either drug abuse or drug addiction, it is pertinent that you take the first steps to restore the quality of life the soonest possible.

When a person continues misusing drugs and alcohol, there will be severe consequences that are significantly painful, if not unbearably uncomfortable.

Here are what you might end up with when you don’t stop abusing substances.

■ You can acquire cancers that provide painful and debilitating symptoms.

■ You most probably will suffer the loss of finances.

■ You will have a significantly decreased quality of life.

■ You might end up having malnourishment and starvation.

■ You can become severely abusive of people around you – physically, emotionally, psychologically, and financially.

■ You could die.

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