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Drug Abuse or Drug Addiction: What’s the Difference?

Drug addiction is a complicated progressive disease that overwhelms both the addict and those who love him. After using drugs for a period of time, the user becomes both physically and emotionally dependent upon the drug. Understanding the differences between drug abuse and drug dependence, and how the two relate to one another, is vital in helping the addict find the appropriate treatment and recover from this devastating disease.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides definitions and criteria for making diagnostic judgments relating to the use of drugs and alcohol. According to the DSM-IV, the essential features of substance abuse are a “maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances.” Drug abuse occurs when a person uses any form of drug for a purpose or in a way other than for what it was created. Most commonly, drug abuse is associated with illicit, or illegal, drugs. Drug abuse can, however, also take place with over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well.

Illicit drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are commonly abused drugs. Drugs such as nicotine and alcohol, though legal, are also drugs that get abused. In addition, some people abuse prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are meant to help people in some way, such as oxycontin and even cough syrup. In this case, the drug abuser does not actually need the drug for its intended purpose. Instead, the abuser chooses to use it in order to get high.

The DSM-IV describes substance dependence as follows: “The essential feature of substance dependence is a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance related problems.” A person who abuses drugs is not necessarily dependent upon the drug. A person who regularly abuses drugs, however, may very well ultimately develop a dependency for the substance. The amount of time it takes for person to become dependent on a drug depends on the individual, the amount, duration, and the type of drug that is abused. For some people, abusing a drug just one time can lead to dependency. For others, it may take several incidents of abuse for a dependency to develop.

A person who is dependent on the drug is considered to be addicted. Drug addiction can be defined as a compulsive use and seeking of drugs despite known adverse consequences. Drug addiction can be either physical or psychological, or both. For example, a person who is dependent upon cigarettes may be physically dependent on the nicotine but also psychologically addicted to having something in his mouth. He may also be psychologically addicted to the feeling he gets after smoking a cigarette. Therefore, a person trying to overcome nicotine addiction needs to overcome both forms of dependency in order to fully recover.

Drug users typically develop a tolerance for the abused substance. Tolerance builds when a dose of a drug, given to an individual repeatedly, produces less or no effect as compared to the initial experience with the drug. Often, building a tolerance for a drug exacerbates both drug abuse and dependency. After using a drug for a period of time, the person suffering from an addiction requires more of the drug in order to achieve a high – or even to feel normal. As a result, the drug addict needs to abuse more drugs in order to satisfy the dependency. This vicious cycle is what often leads to an overdose, or taking more of the drug than the body can safely handle.

Unfortunately, drug addicts who overdose often do not receive the medical help they need. This can be because they simply are physically unable to reach help or because they refuse to seek help. Many will not seek help because they are afraid of getting into legal trouble for drug abuse. Others may be so addicted to the drug that they cannot face the prospect of being forced to stop abusing the drug. Sadly, failure to seek help often results in death for the addict.

 When a drug addict seeks help for drug addiction, he or she will have to endure a detoxification period. Detox is generally the first step taken in the course of treatment. Medical supervision is advised for the dependent drug user when going through detox. Withdrawal from certain drugs is not only miserable and quite uncomfortable, but can also lead to serious side effects and in extreme cases death. Certain replacement drugs, such as methadone or Subutex, are sometimes used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms during the detox process.

Physically, the addict’s body has become used to the effects of the drug. As a result, his body reacts adversely when it is denied more of the substance. Physical withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and according to the type of drug abused. Common physical withdrawal symptoms, however, include severe headaches, vomiting, shaking, and increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Psychologically, a drug addict has come to depend on the drug to cause a certain effect. This effect can be to relieve pain or to bring about feelings of pleasure. The addict does not believe it is possible to achieve these same feelings without using the drug. This causes severe cravings and many addicts feel a great deal of stress while going through withdrawal. For this reason, drug rehab centers that have onsite detox facilities are a wise choice when making the decision to treat for alcoholism and drug abuse. Some offer close monitoring of addicts during the detox and withdrawal period, and most all offer the necessary support and services to help them through recovery.