What is the difference between drug abuse and addiction

Sep 16, Treatments. May 3, All Posts , Treatments. Cirque Lodge offers a combination of experiential, behavioral, and group therapies to provide a holistic and enriching treatment experience. If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, please contact us today. We can help. Cirque Lodge is considered amongst our colleagues, as one of, if not the premium drug and alcohol rehab facility in the country.

You will not find a more beautiful or comprehensive treatment resource to heal and recover from alcoholism or other substance use disorders. Toll Free 24 Hours Direct Local Line Drug Addiction Vs. Drug Abuse. Prescription Drug Addiction. Getting Help for Addiction. Mood Disorders and Risk of Substance Abuse.

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Drug Abuse Overview. What is Drug Abuse? We Are Here to Help. Call Today! Those who abuse drugs and alcohol still have control over their lives, while those with an addiction have a disease that affects many aspects of their life. People with addiction may seem to only have an abuse problem, when in reality their life is beginning to fall apart. Similarly, those with an abuse problem might seem like they have an addiction, but they actually are in control of their substance use.

This does not mean that substance abuse is okay. Besides the legal implications associated with it, drug and alcohol abuse causes real damage to the body, mind, and spirit.

Risks of infectious diseases, overdose, organ damage, and other bodily harms still exists with even casual use. This can lead to worsened substance abuse and addiction. Luckily, individuals with a substance abuse or a polysubstance problem are able to learn from negative consequences and change their behavior.

Clearly laying out the path of substance abuse can inspire an individual to change their destructive habits. This can be something as simple as a honest conversation about drugs and alcohol and where their abuse leads, or something as involved as going to a treatment facility for an instructive session.

Either way, the person who abuses needs to understand the all consequences of continued substance use, not just to their bodies, but socially, legally, mentally, and spiritually. A woman with a stressful job goes to the bar every day after work. One day on her way home, she gets pulled over by a police officer, and cited with a DUI. Her conviction not only suspends her license, but requires her to pay a fine, participate in community service, and attend a substance abuse program.

These consequences make her reexamine her alcohol use. She decides to stop drinking after work so that she no longer risks getting a DUI.

Instead, she goes to the gym to help her release the tension of her stressful job. A person with addiction often makes tragic decisions that worsen their situation. In addition to the risks and harms associated with substance abuse , those with an addiction also endanger their families and livelihood. They often miss work or school, get into legal trouble, endanger their families physically or financially, have terrible health issues, and other serious problems because of their substance use.

Even with these dire consequences, people with an addiction cannot change their habits to improve their situation. This is why many people with addiction end up homeless, separated from their family, jobless, and eventually die from their substance use.

It is important to understand people with addictions have a chemical dependency that prevents them from changing on their own. Will-power alone will not cure them of their destructive behavior. The craving for substance leads them to neglect their daily life and act irresponsibly, to the point where their lives are in shambles.

Even then, they sometimes cannot comprehend their substance use as the destructive force in their lives. They downplay the extent of their substance use, and often blame its consequences on outside factors. This is called denial. Sometimes, a person with an addiction can recognize their substance use as the cause of their hardships, but still cannot stop using because they are chemically dependent on the substance.

The only way to change the habits of a person with addiction is through focused medical attention. Chemical Dependence Treatment Facilities, such as Bradford Health Services, help people with addictions begin a new life free from substance use.

Since , the American Medical Association has accepted alcoholism as a disorder. The first step in minimizing this dreaded disorder should be the early identification of substance abuse, which is the precursor to addiction. Addiction does not come out of anywhere. It takes time to grow a resistance to the drug of preference, grows drug cravings, and encounter problems resulting from drug use. Drug abuse is often the first step. While it may appear to be an addiction in its worst form, one distinguishing feature separates substance dependency from addiction.

The inability to avoid using drugs is the first symptom. Anyone who battles with Drug Abuse may face various issues common to addicts. Still, they may prevent using all illicit drugs without difficulty for long periods. Despite a deep desire to avoid using, an addict cannot stay away from their drug of choice and other drugs. Addiction may develop as a result of continued Drug Abuse or alcohol abuse. Regular use builds up a tolerance, leading to withdrawal effects when the medication is taken away.

Similarly, chronic drug use, particularly for a particular reason like relaxing, dealing with frustration, or managing other emotions or problematic mental health symptoms, can assume that using the drug is required to work, resulting in psychological dependency.

Find out more about the various treatment options to help cope with Drug Abuse or addiction. Make a phone call. Ben Lesser is one of the most sought-after experts in health, fitness and medicine. His articles impress with unique research work as well as field-tested skills. We are honored to have Ben writing exclusively for Dualdiagnosis. If you think you have a dependence or addiction, contact a treatment provider today for help. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing.

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. David embarked on his journey into sobriety in June of , which led him to his current career path as a Certified Professional Addiction Recovery Coach in private practice in Greater Nashville.

David is also a public speaker and the author of two books. David is cohost of the weekly Positive Sobriety Podcast, as well as being a frequent contributor to various articles and recovery based materials.

As a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors NAADAC , David works closely with Nashville area treatment centers, nonprofit recovery organizations, and consulting with faith-based groups trying to bridge the gap between the recovery communities and faith-based organizations who wish to understand addiction.

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Chats will be received and answered by one of treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:. Addiction Vs. Dependence When people talk about addiction, they are usually referring to the harmful behavior associated with substance abuse.

Dependence refers to the physical symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance. Start the road to recovery. Get a Call.