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However, one essential thing to keep in mind about these drug users is that they might not yet be addicted to the drugs they have tried. Many are sampling drugs for the first time under peer pressure or out of curiosity about how it feels. Sadly, some will enjoy this experience intensely and continue using the drug until they have an intense physical drug addiction.
Understanding the difference between substance abuse and addiction is critical to know how to handle your personal drug or alcohol abuse. By better understanding your own situation, you can find the best program to help you fight back and reclaim control of your life.
Addiction is more than just taking bunches of drugs. It’s actually recognized by medical professionals as a chronic disease. That distinction means that it’s a condition that’s most out of your control. While people struggling with addiction might have started to use drugs voluntarily, the decision quickly spiraled out of their hands, and they lose self-control due to physical damage in the brain.
Once a person becomes addicted, they soon develop a physical and mental dependence that does not allow them to quit taking drugs without assistance. They may suffer withdrawal symptoms or be unable to cope emotionally or mentally without their drug of choice. Because of this, their social, professional, and family lives experience negative consequences. Often, they lose it all.
There is, unfortunately, no clear reason a person begins to suffer from addiction. In most cases, there are many contributing factors, including the following:
Sure, substance abuse doesn’t have either the stigma or the chronic effects of addiction. But it still involves taking illegal drugs or abusing legal drugs by using them in a way that they were not prescribed for use. Substance abuse can be just as risky as addiction and carries just great of a chance of a lethal overdose.
People may begin to use drugs for a number of reasons. Perhaps they’re bored, just curious, having trouble coping with life, or facing intense peer pressure. Regardless of the initial cause, here are some common factors that play a key role in drug abuse:
Sadly, there is no cure for substance abuse or addiction. That said, there are a few ways to address these issues and help prevent relapse. Perhaps the most successful treatment is behavioral therapy; this modifies a person’s drug use habits and helps them cope with co-occurring mental illnesses that may be feeding the addiction.
In general, the length of treatment for either substance abuse or addiction depends upon how long you’ve been abusing drugs and how severe the addiction is. A person who simply uses casually might not need any intensive treatment; however, a person who faces a true addiction might need months of treatment, including detox, rehab, and therapy.
