Substance Use vs Substance Abuse: Difference, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Options

14 Oct Substance Use vs Substance Abuse: Difference, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Options

It also pointed out that among adolescents the gender gap is closing; girls and boys both start smoking at age 13 and begin drinking at 15. Society cannot expect political leaders alone to bear responsibility for warning adolescents about the risks of substance abuse, however. Embarrassed by their own behavior as adolescents, baby boomer parents are ambivalent about raising the issue of substance abuse with their children, according to CASA medical director Herbert D. Kleber, M.D.

• This included people who engaged in excessive drinking and binge drinking.
• That terminology was problematic because in biology — the study of organisms — dependence refers to a physical adaptation to a substance.
• However, this informative content is intended for educational purposes only.

What is drug addiction?

Addictions can start slowly as people experiment with different types of drugs. Or they can come on quickly, like what is now happening in the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis is so bad that the U.S. government declared a public health emergency.

Mental Dependence Vs. Physical Dependence

However, this informative content is intended for educational purposes only. It is by no means a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With regard to any addiction-related health concerns, you should always seek the guidance of a qualified, registered physician who is licensed to practice medicine in your particular jurisdiction.

• The neurochemical changes not only fuel the compulsive nature of addiction but also make recovery a complex and challenging process.
• Using a substance (such as a painkiller, antidepressant, narcotic, sedative or other drug) without medical supervision or in larger quantities than prescribed is substance abuse.
• However, they may still experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it.
• Additionally, undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues, such as depression, can be a predictor of eventual reliance on substances for self-management of negative affective states.

Drug Tolerance

In these cases, treatment involves gradually tapering off the drug over a set period to reduce withdrawal effects. A person can have an addiction without necessarily having a physical dependence. Similarly, a person can have a physical dependence on a drug without feeling compelled to use it. However, they may still experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it. Since their brains are still developing, any alcohol or drug use can be damaging to their growth. There are several factors, including your health history, personal lifestyle choices, and if there is any history of addiction in your family.

When addiction to a substance develops, it is called substance use disorder. Addiction is a disease characterized by behavioral issues, and dependence refers to a physical reliance on a substance. The two conditions often occur at the same time, but a person can be dependent on a substance without being addicted to it. Addiction is marked by a change in behavior caused by the biochemical changes in the brain after continued substance abuse. Substance use becomes the main priority of the addict, regardless of the harm they may cause to themselves or others. An addiction causes people to act irrationally when they don’t have the substance they are addicted to in their system.

He also sees people who have taken heroin without developing an addiction, yet they can’t seem to stop smoking and give up nicotine. You may assume that certain substances are more addictive than others, and that is partially true, Mr. Kump says. For example, individuals who are addicted to prescription drugs will take more than the prescribed amount and for longer than its intended use. They will tend to be secretive about their use and will need the drug to function normally.

• Research has shown that the terminology used does, in fact, influence how people with a substance use disorder view themselves as well as how others view them.
• Since their brains are still developing, any alcohol or drug use can be damaging to their growth.
• Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological.
• Tolerance is when the body’s response to a substance diminishes over time.
• These programs are suited to individuals who have just completed an inpatient program and want to continue some form of therapy.
• Many drugs cause dependence but not addiction, for example, paroxetine 10 and clonidine 11.

AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Tolerance occurs when a person needs increasingly larger amounts of a substance to addiction vs dependence achieve the same effect over time.

To avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms, the person has to keep consuming alcohol. If you believe you have an addiction, it’s never too late to look for help. Working with a health care professional will allow you to explore the options to treat your addiction. Caffeine is an example of a common substance that causes physical dependence. If you can’t function properly in the morning without your cup of coffee, it could be that you are caffeine-dependent.

Determining Whether You’re Dependent or Addicted

Addiction involves a powerful psychological component that drives individuals to continue using substances or engaging in behaviors despite the detrimental effects on their health, relationships, and daily life. The neurochemical changes not only fuel the compulsive nature of addiction but also make recovery a complex and challenging process. If the person’s healthcare provider determines that their substance use is problematic and they have substance use disorder, they may require treatment. Alcohol dependence is characterized by symptoms of withdrawal when a person tries to quit drinking. Drinking to excess but not being physically dependent is called alcohol abuse.

Dependence treatment

These facilities usually provide 24-hour medical support and are often led by a team of counselors, clinicians, and doctors. Short-term inpatient rehab is ideal for individuals who need detoxing and therapy, but who don’t require long-term treatment. However, other forms of drug dependence can cause significant withdrawal symptoms. For some substances, such as alcohol, suddenly stopping it can be dangerous.