Substance Abuse Detox

The difference between substance abuse and addiction or dependency

In non-clinical settings, the terminologies substance abuse and substance addiction or dependency are oftentimes used interchangeably. Although all of them refer to specific problems involving the use of substances, there is a difference between abuse and addiction or dependency. Substance abuse is seen as a precursor to addiction or dependency while addiction or dependency is considered to be a more chronic condition. Abuse eventually leads to addiction or dependency which requires undergoing substance abuse detox.

Substance abuse and addiction or dependency are distinctly different types of substance abuse disorders. When the criteria that is necessary for diagnosing abuse or addiction are taken into consideration and compared to one another, the differences that arise create different classifications for these types of disorders. Both terminologies also involve consequences and symptoms that are different from one another. Regardless, both are extremely dangerous disorders and are viewed as serious public health threats.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV), substance abuse is defined as the “harmful use” of a particular substance despite the adverse affects it is having on the individual or any recurring consequences. This includes financial, legal, and social consequences. Interestingly enough, the signs of addiction or dependency include many of the signs involved with substance abuse, but there are warning signs that are unique to these and not substance abuse.

The primary consequences of substance abuse

The use of the terminology “harmful use” above is applied in order to indicate physical and psychological health damage that results from substance abuse. The following warning signs are patterns of one or more of the negative consequences that occur whenever substance abuse is present:

•  legal problems that are alcohol-related such as disorderly conduct in public, driving a vehicle under the influence, or public intoxication
•   role failures that are alcohol-related such as failing to meet your career or school and family responsibilities
•   using a substance in situations that could be potentially dangerous such as driving your vehicle or operating heavy duty equipment and machinery

When the use of a particular substance results in these consequences occurring over a 12 month period (or longer), the condition is called substance abuse. In order to be diagnosed with substance abuse, the individual must still be using that substance despite incurring the three problems listed above.

Professional help is as close as your telephone

Our addiction treatment and recovery center features some of the most effective rehab programs in the US, including substance abuse detox programs that have extremely high recovery success rates. Our 5-Phase Step Down Model and Strength to Change programs can help you overcome your substance abuse problems so that you can return home and live substance-free for life.

If you or a loved one is suffering with substance abuse or addiction problems and would like to know more about our substance abuse detox and recovery programs, please contact the Delray Recovery Center today at the toll-free phone number listed above.