Jan 06 2010
Dependency to Drugs and Drug Abuse
When talking about drug abuse and addiction, many people think of them as being one and the same, but the truth is that there is a difference betwen dependency to drugs and the misuse of drugs. People become addicted to drugs by abusing them, but there is a lot more involved in the actual addiction than just misuse.
Basically what you have with drug misuse is a person who uses drugs repeatedly and frequently in an uncontrolled manner. You could also define it as misusing a chemical substance habitually. Using drugs for something other than their intended purpose is what this definition includes. In fact, drug misuse has a range of definitions, but all suggest disapproval at the use or overuse of a drug for non-therapeutic reasons.
An dependency to drugs on the other hand is something different in that a person goes through actual pain and trauma when they do not get their fix of the drug. They can experience things like uncontrollable shaking, nausea, and even insomnia to name a few. Drugs mess with the ability of the brain to function correctly and in so doing alter the brain to where it needs those drugs in order to function in its perceived normal way.
When a person is addicted to drugs, they continue to use the drug despite adverse health reactions and possible damage to their bodies. I don’t really care about how the drug affects their personal health as long as they are able to continue getting that feeling that they receive from their drug of choice. Stopping usage is just not a viable option for them. When a person reaches this point with their drug abuse, it becomes an addiction and must be dealt with accordingly.
Knowing the difference between drug abuse and addiction can help you to prevent somebody from escalating to a point. You know exactly what type of addiction you are dealing with, it makes it quite a lot easier to find options for treatment.
Whether it is you or a friend, or even a loved one that is abusing or addicted to drugs, seeking out a drug treatment program soon and getting them the help that they need will help to take away from the danger of the serious health implications that are involved with this behavior. Drug treatment can profoundly affect both the user and society. Setting addicts free from their addictions in the society that we live in enables these people to function more effectively in society and get along with people better which creates a better and more peaceful society in general.
In fact, drug abuse is the number one cause of preventable illness and death in the United States. No matter what drug you are talking about, be it heroin, meth, or any other narcotic drug, these things can cause irreparable damage to the human body. Drug use can be prevented, and getting people educated about it is the first step.
The problem of drug misuse and dependency are true blight on our society. These problems have been around for many many years, and are likely to be around for a while longer, but recognizing the differences between the two will allow you to pay attention to the different signs and signals which can alert you to the problem and help you to take steps towards healing.
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