If someone you love has a substance abuse disorder, you might hear the terms dependence and addiction a lot. Yet, do you have a clear understanding of the relationship between the two? What is drug dependence, and what is drug addiction? How are these two things different? Pines Recovery Life Detox can guide individuals through…
There are many terms thrown around in relation to drug abuse, and it can be difficult to discern what they mean. Drug addiction is an already misunderstood disease, and the confusion regarding terminology only adds to the problem. While drug dependence and drug addiction are often related, they do not mean the same thing. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between drug dependence and drug addiction.
What is drug dependence?
Drug dependence involves a physical condition. Repeated exposure to a drug or frequent usage causes the body to adapt to the drug. The easiest way to identify drug dependence is through withdrawal symptoms when the drug is no longer used.
How to recognize signs of drug abuse and addiction
The answer is not a simple one, especially in the initial phase of drug consumption when neither the psychological nor the physical health of a person haven’t been disrupted, and they’re still trying to keep old habits and leave the impression that everything is fine. If you suspect that you or someone you love is having a problem with substance abuse, there’s a list of universally accepted symptoms.
According to the World Drug Report, 29.5 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders. Even the first use of an illicit drug qualifies as drug abuse. It usually starts willfully, and most commonly due to curiosity, boredom, stress or depression. Addiction is a strong urge to obtain the use of illicit drugs regardless of the consequences, and it’s a product of prolonged drug abuse.