What Is Drug Abuse? Is Drug Abuse The Same As Drug Addiction?

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What is drug abuse? Good question, many answers.

Answering the question 'what is drug abuse' can be a little tricky. The answer could depend on who you are asking, the user, the spouse or parent or an addictions professional or doctor.

We will sort out the question of drug abuse so that hopefully, you will have a clearer concept of the problem. Bear in mind however there is no one, absolute correct answer to the question.

There is an old saying that if you think you may have a drug abuse problem, you probaly do. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. If you think the problem may be drug addiction, head on over to What is drug addiction?

Ready for some ideas and answers? Here we go.

 

A Social Drug User vs. A Drug Abuser 

Drug use vs. drug abuse

Let's talk about the difference between a social drug user and a substance or drug abuser. A social or drug user can take one drink or one hit and walk away from using more. It is a person who does not drink regularly, but may on the spur the moment decide to have a glass of wine with dinner. Or at a party somebody hands them a joint they take one puff and are done with it.

In A Social User:
  • Drug use does not regularly occupy their thoughts - such as worrying about where the next one is coming from.

  • There are no negative consequences for use - such has been arrested or getting into an accident.

  • There are no surprises regarding use - like waking up in a strange bed.

  • Their and no complaints from family and friends - there are no complaints because your behavior simply does not warrant it.

  • There is no loss of control - the issue of control does not even arise.

In A Drug Abuser:
  • There are negative consequences they occur but they are not repeated such as getting a DUI...once.

  • They are able to set limits and stick to them for example 'I will only have 2 drinks.'
  • Drug use starts to occupy thoughts more frequently, and use is more for a fact that sociability.

  • There are complaints by family and friends but they are heard and dealt with an example might be a warning from your boss, which you pay attention to.

What Is Drug Abuse?... Medically Speaking 

Medically speaking, when we talk of drug abuse they refer to it as substance abuse. The primary definition involves a pattern of substance use that has be, problematic the pattern of use is less severe than substance dependence or addiction.

To meet the criteria for substance abuse, one or more of the following needs to occur within one year:

  1. Recurring substance use results in a failure to fill major role obligations at work, school, or home. Examples might be missing work, not spending time with children, cheating on your spouse.

  2. Recurring substance use and which is physically hazardous. The classic example is driving under the influence; it can also mean playing sports or an activity where you need sharp reflexes

  3. Recurring substance related legal problems getting in trouble with the law.

  4. Continued substance use despite having persistent and recurring social or interpersonal problems that are caused by or made worse by the effects of the substance. Put in plain English, your relationships with people starts to stink.

These criteria are paraphrased from the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders known as the DSM IV PC

Free Addiction Recovery Help Guide 

Revealed: Drug Abuse Recovery Tips, Links and More

There is a gallery of sober living and life skill information available in the Free, 103 page Resource Guide. Lot's of '10 tips to...' and 'How to' articles. These are all solution oriented. We have been in the problem long enough.
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Drug and Alcohol Test 

An indicator some problems may exsist

Denial is one of the main components when speaking about drug addiction, and can be one of the most destructive aspects of any addiction.

Not being able to recognize if and when you have an addiction to drugs is one common reason why substance use spirals out of control. We have a built in blind spot to adiction. If you use drugs and/or alcohol on a regular basis you may wish to review the following list of questions (please be honest!):

1) These days, do you find that it takes more and more to get high/drunk than it used to (having developed a significant tolerance to a substance is one of the first signs of addiction)?

2) Do you keep a constant drug or alcohol supply handy (do you stock up in anticipation of running out i.e., the liquor store may be closed for an upcoming holiday - or contact the dealer ahead of time before your supply runs out this type of preoccupation is one of the signs of addiction)?

3) Do you ever drink or use more than you intended to (not being able to control how much you use is another sign of addiction)?

Click Here:
Alcohol + Drug Test To finish the test and get the answers.

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Addiction Recovery Authority Site 

Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction Resources

In Addiction Recovery
This is a giant resource site for those either entering into or wishing to grow in addiction recovery.
The Recovery Club
Are you stuck in recovery? The Recovery Club is designed to provide guidance in moving forward in recovery by tackling issues such as relationships, self-esteem, and relapse prevention.

Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction Info 

A Gallery of Drug Treatment Information

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Recovery Forums: Tell Your Story 

Drug Abuse Chat

Addiction Recovery Guide
The Addiction Recovery Guide: has over 300,000 posts has categories on most major drug groups, personal success stories, family advice, diaries, and recovery mile stones. 5 *****
Sober Recovery Forum
Usually 200-300 people online, almost all discussion and stories. They are grouped in categories such as women in recovery, bikers in recovery etc. There is family support and some disease info. 5 *****
Cyber Recovery Message Board Index
Cyber Recovery Message Board Index This is a great index of about 60 Forums and boards. If you are into surfing titles, this may be for you. No Rating

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Drug And Alcohol Treatment Program
Information on selecting and entering a Drug and alcohol treatment program drug and alcohol treatment programs
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Programs
Another site dealing with drug and alcohol treatment programs
Alcohol Treatment Program
A site to learn what an alcohol treament program can do to help with alcoholism, and alcohol abuse problems.
Alcohol And Drug Addiction Treatment
This site answers many questions concerning alcohol and drug addiction treatment.
Addiction Treatment Challenges
We aim to untangle the many addiction treatment challenges facing one who is entering a treatment program and facing recovery.

by billurell

Hello. I'm Bill Urell,an addictions therapist at a leading residential treatment center. I teach healthy life styles and life skills. I have 15 y...

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