Differences Between Substance Abuse, Dependence, & Addiction

John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Research has shown that the terminology used does, in fact, influence how people with a substance use disorder view themselves https://ecosoberhouse.com/ as well as how others view them. This included people who engaged in excessive drinking and binge drinking. However, the study did find that people who engaged in binge drinking more often were also more likely to be alcohol dependent. According to a study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease, 90% of people who abuse alcohol are not alcohol dependent.

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• Misdiagnosis of addictive disorders can lead to a cascade of negative outcomes, including stigma, discontinuation of needed medications, undue scrutiny of both patients and physicians, and even criminal consequences.
• Take our free, 5-minute substance use self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance use.
• Additional training in assessment and diagnosis for physician trainees at the medical school level is also needed.
• When these types of substances are frequently abused, a person’s body and brain change as tolerance develops.
• When meth wears off, however, a significant “crash” generally occurs, leaving individuals feeling fatigued, lethargic, hungry, depressed, and anxious.
• Mood and anxiety disorders and drug use co-occur at rates as high as 50 percent, NIDA publishes.

A history of sexual abuse seems to be a factor in whether women abuse alcohol, the report noted. 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. The World Health Organization uses a definition of ‘dependence’ that describes a collection of different characteristics that grow to become a much higher priority in a person’s life than other previous behaviors that were more important at one time. At first, starting this behavior is an extra activity, but as the user becomes more dependent on the high, it can turn into the main activity. This is where dependency can turn into full-blown addiction—when substance abuse becomes the all-encompassing main priority. Addiction is a state of psychological and/or physical dependence on the use of drugs or other substances, such as alcohol, or on activities or behaviors, such as sex, exercise, and gambling.

Preventing Substance Use Disorder

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. You should never avoid or delay seeking professional health care advice or services based on information obtained from our website.

What Is Alcohol Dependence?

These programs are suited to individuals who have just completed an inpatient program and want to continue some form of therapy. Standard outpatient is also ideal for people who may be juggling other responsibilities, such as work or school. Individuals typically report to a treatment center or clinic 1 or 2 days per week. The differences between substance abuse, dependence, and addiction can be difficult to define.

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. Methamphetamine can cause long-term damage to the brain, which can require specialized treatment and continuous care over a sustained period of time to promote abstinence. With proper treatment, individuals can learn addiction vs dependence to manage the possible side effects of repeated use and disruption to the brain, and minimize instances of relapse for a healthy recovery. When someone is taking meth, they are alert and energized, and can stay awake for long periods of time. When meth wears off, however, a significant “crash” generally occurs, leaving individuals feeling fatigued, lethargic, hungry, depressed, and anxious.

• Methamphetamine can cause long-term damage to the brain, which can require specialized treatment and continuous care over a sustained period of time to promote abstinence.
• Accurately identifying persons with addiction is critically important for effectively targeting treatment and harm reduction interventions.
• A detox center will place you in comfortable surroundings where you can be assured of help in case of emergencies.
• Many symptoms can be managed at home, but moderate to severe withdrawal should be supervised by a healthcare professional and may require inpatient treatment.
• Things changed with the 2013 publication of the manual’s fifth edition, the DSM-5, which combines substance abuse and substance dependence into a single category called substance use disorder, which has levels ranging from mild to severe.

Mental vs. physical dependence

• APA Services advocates for policies, programs, and funding to improve the prevention and treatment of opioid and other substance use disorders, including nonpharmacological interventions for pain management.
• This included people who engaged in excessive drinking and binge drinking.
• If you can’t function properly in the morning without your cup of coffee, it could be that you are caffeine-dependent.
• These centers also vary in terms of their provision of amenities, which range from basic to luxury options.

Drug Addiction vs. Drug Dependence

Effects of Meth Addiction and Long-Term Use