What is the difference between drug abuse and drug dependence?

Answer 1

Drug abuse refers to using a drug for something other than what they're supposed to be prescribed for, e.g. using prescription pain medicine to get a high. It can also refer to intentionally taking more of a medication than what is prescribed, which can happen with almost anything.

Addiction is defined by tolerance, which causes the body to need more and more of the drug in order to obtain the same effect, and withdrawal, which causes cravings and unpleasant symptoms when the drug has not been consumed in some time.

Answer2: By the very term abuse means a person is already addicted in some way. A person can take drugs, legal or illegal and not become an addict. But once a person takes drugs to the point where the brain and body craves, needs, and depends on the drugs, that's the crossover to being an addict. I read an article that said, they used to be separately called drug abuse and drug addiction, but now the term is drug use disorder also called substance use or chemical use disorder. It's characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems or distress.

Answer 2

drug abuse is when you overuse or misuse a drug such as prescription drugs for purposes other than what it was meant to be used for. drug addiction is when you experience withdrawal symptoms after discontinued use of a drug.

Answer2: By the very term abuse means a person is already addicted in some way. A person can take drugs, legal or illegal and not become an addict. But once a person takes drugs to the point where the brain and body craves, needs, and depends on the drugs, that's the crossover to being an addict. I read an article that said, they used to be separately called drug abuse and drug addiction, but now the term is drug use disorder also called substance use or chemical use disorder. It's characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems or distress.

Answer 3

There is no difference, they're just different terms. There is a difference between compulsive behavior and true addiction, though. Unfortunately, little distinction is made between these two very different problems, and "addiction" is used a blanket term for both.

True addiction, as in opiate addiction, involves physical withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

Drugs such as cocaine or speed do not produce withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. But for some people, it becomes a compulsive behavior. For them, and compulsive gamblers for instance, it's about dopamine.

If interested, you might try a search for the terms: dopamine compulsive behavior

Answer 4

Drug dependent is someone who can not live off the drug they shake and vomit when they do not have it. Drug addiction is someone when on it does not want to stop doing it.

Answer 5

Drug abuse is when you spend all your money on heroin and dont pay rent, or really do anything else. Drug misuse is when you inject it into your shoe.