Drug Addiction vs Drug Abuse proves to be a very controversial subject in that one may lead to the other without the person realizing they have a problem. Drug abuse is excessive use of a drug for non medical means regardless of the social, physical, or psychological that may occur from each use. (Ex: steroids, cocaine, tranquilizers, alcohol, etc.) Whereas, drug addiction is use of disease the person’s behavior and brain are unable to control the body’s dependence on the drug whether it is an illegal or legal medication. The risk of addiction and how fast you succumb to the addiction varies with the type of drug used. Treating drug abuse and addiction treatment is tailored to each person individually. Both drug abuse and drug addiction require outside help to ensure complete recovery.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is excessive use of a drug for non medical means regardless of the social, physical, or psychological that may occur from each use. (Ex: steroids, cocaine, tranquilizers, alcohol, etc.) A person becomes dependent on the drug they are using to help them cope with what they feel are difficult, embarrassing, or self-conscious situations.
Effective treatment methods of drug abuse and addiction are, but not limited to:
Detoxification
Detox allows your body to rid itself of toxic substances. It should be done with medical assistance because it can cause life-threatening physical symptoms. Detoxification does not treat the underlying causes of addiction and is usually/should treated in combination with other treatments after detox.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This treatment helps you recognize your unhealthy behavioral patterns. It also aids in the identification of the triggers and coping skills. It is a valuable treatment tool in that it can be used in different types of addictions food, alcohol, prescription, etc.)
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
The treatment of REBT helps the person recognize their negative thoughts and gives that person ways in which to combat the feeling of self-defeating or self-loathing. It aids in helping you recognize that you have the power to use rational thinking and that external situations do not control you.
Contingency Management (CM)
CM therapy gives you tangible rewards, therefore; reinforcing your positive behaviors. This treatment is usually used to successfully combat relapses, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
12- Step Facilitation
The Twelve-step facilitation therapy (“12 step programs”) can be used to treat substance and alcohol abuse. This type of group therapy has the person recognize the negative effects/consequences that can be physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. It teaches the person to accept the abuse, and then move on and surrender to a higher power. This then evolves into regular group meetings (example: Alcohol Anonymous).
Treatment For Medication
Medication can prove to help in a person’s recovery when combined with behavioral therapies. There are certain medications can reduce cravings, decrease addictive behaviors, and improve moods.
What is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction is a use of disease the person’s behavior and brain are unable to control the body’s dependence on the drug whether it is an illegal or legal medication.
Addiction and its effects and severity will vary with each individual and the drug the person is addicted to. Some of the effects, but not limited to are listed below.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Effects
- Neurological Effects
- Mental Health Effects
- Hepatitis and HIV
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Respiratory Deficits
- Kidney Damage
- Death
When Does Abuse Become Addiction?
Drug addiction is a disease that affects the individual’s brain and behavior. Addiction leads to the inability to control the use of legal or illegal medication or drugs. When a person is addicted, they may continue to use the drug regardless of the harm they are doing to themselves or to their family and friends. Addiction can start with innocent and experimental use in social situations. This seemingly innocent use of the drug can become more frequent. Sometimes it can begin with the use of prescribed medications or the receiving of prescribed medications from friends or relatives.
The risk of addiction varies with the individual and then the drug. You may need larger doses of the drug to produce a high as time passes. Soon you begin to need the drug just to feel good or normal. As your drug intake increases, you may find it difficult to carry on with normal activities without the drug. When you try to stop drug use, you may encounter intense cravings, and you may become physically ill.
Behavioral signs of drug abuse are listed below but not listed to:
- Sudden changes in hobbies, friends, and favorite hangouts
- Performance in school and attendance drops
- Behaviors are secretive and suspicious
Read More: The Differences Between Detox and Rehab
Drug Abuse is Still Dangerous
Behavioral signs of drug addiction are listed below but are not limited to:
- Doing things, you would not normally do to obtain the drug (ex. stealing).
- Under the influence of the drug, you are driving or doing other risky activities.
- Loss of interests
- Cutting back on social or recreational activities, not meeting obligations, not meeting work responsibilities because of the use of drugs.
- Even though it’s causing problems in your life, causing you physical, and psychological harm, you continue to use the drug.
How is drug addiction different from drug abuse?
It can be difficult to tell the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction. Drug abuse is often the first step toward drug addiction. Drug addiction is different from drug abuse in that drug addiction is the strong and overwhelming desire to consume the substance you are addicted to regardless of the consequences and havoc it brings to your life.
Distinguishing between abuse and addiction is sometimes difficult to separate. It is difficult to know when you cross the line from drug abuse to full-blown drug addiction. Health-wise, drug abuse can be as harmful to your physical and mental health as a drug addiction. You can use a substance without actually being addicted to the substance, but its frequent use can lead to addiction. It may also depend on how the substance is affecting your life physically, emotionally, socially, and professionally.
How does drug abuse lead to drug addiction?
You can use a drug without being addicted to it, but its continued use is likely to lead to addiction. By abusing a drug regularly, you are making yourself susceptible to its addiction.
Symptoms of drug addiction.
The risks and dangers of drug addiction vary by the drug the individual is using. Some drugs pose a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others. Some of the effects, but not limited to are listed below.
- When you attempt to stop taking the drug, you experience withdrawal systems.
- Needing more of the drug to get the same effect.
- Make sure you always have enough of the drug on hand.
- You feel you have to take the drug regularly – daily or several times a day.
- Failing when you try to stop using the drug.
- Doing things, you would not normally do to obtain the drug (ex. stealing).
- Spending money you can’t afford to get the drug.
- You are taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than intended.
- Spending more and more time obtaining the drug, using the drug, and recovering from the effects of the drug.
- Urges that block out any other thought than the drug.
- Under the influence of the drug, you are driving or doing other risky activities.
- Cutting back on social or recreational activities, not meeting obligations, not meeting work responsibilities because of the use of drugs.
- Even though it’s causing problems in your life, causing you physical, and psychological harm, you continue to use the drug.
- Loss of interests
- Depression
Symptoms of drug abuse.
The risks and dangers of drug abuse are varied by the drug the individual is using. Some drugs pose a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others. Some of the effects, but not limited to are listed below:
Small physical symptoms (“tics”)
- Frequent sniffing
- Persistent itching in a certain area of the body
- Slurred speech
- Pulling down sleeves impulsively to hide marks
- Bloodshot eyes, enlarged or smaller pupils
- Unexplained changes in personality or attitude
- Change in sleeping habits, physical appearance, sleep patterns
- Unusual smells in breath, clothing or body, or impaired coordination
Paraphernalia
- Pipes
- Cigarette wrapping papers
- Razor blades
- Cut-up straws
- Syringes
- Rolled-up bank notes
- Lighters
- Bongs
- “Cutting” surfaces like mirrors or glass
- Burnt spoons or bottle caps
- Soiled cotton swabs
- Other things may present themselves such as: more than one prescription bottle from different doctors.
Psychological warning signs
- Sudden mood swings
- Irritability
- Angry outbursts
- Spaced-out
- Appears fearful, paranoid, or anxious for no reason
Behavioral signs of drug abuse
- Sudden changes in hobbies, friends, and favorite hangouts
- Performance in school and attendance drops
- Behaviors are secretive and suspicious
Choose the Best Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction Centers to ensure a successful treatment recovery. Golden Road Recovery Center is one of California’s pristine facilities. They know the hardships involved with drug abuse and drug addiction. The individual’s mental and physical health is taken into account throughout the treatment. They work with the individual from the beginning through the end of the treatment to help overcome your addiction or abuse. Customizing the treatment to each person will help to ensure victory. When leaving the clinic, you will leave with an Addiction Aftercare Plan to help ensure your success. This plan is tailored to you individually.
22560 Lassen Street Chatsworth, CA 91311
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