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What is the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I am witing something freelance and just wondering if anyone can give me an addequite difference between drug abuse and drug addiction.
The definition of an addict is: 1. To cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance
2. To occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively
Definition of drug abuse: he use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. The repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, to alleviate stress, or to alter or avoid reality (or all three).
The use of a drug for a purpose other than that for which it is normally prescribed or recommended.
the habitual misuse of a chemical substance
They are very similar definitions. Almost the same.
Why are people either classified as a drug abuser or a drug addict? Drug abusers don't usually get the intese care an addict does. Remember, the definition for addic includes psychological addiction... not just physical.
The definition of an addict is: 1. To cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance
2. To occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively
Definition of drug abuse: he use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. The repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, to alleviate stress, or to alter or avoid reality (or all three).
The use of a drug for a purpose other than that for which it is normally prescribed or recommended.
the habitual misuse of a chemical substance
They are very similar definitions. Almost the same.
Why are people either classified as a drug abuser or a drug addict? Drug abusers don't usually get the intese care an addict does. Remember, the definition for addic includes psychological addiction... not just physical.
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You can abuse drugs without being dependent on them
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/getting_help/addictions.html
Abuse - using drugs to a detrimental effect. ≠ use.
Drug Abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. Another definition of drug abuse is the repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, to alleviate stress, or to alter or avoid reality (or all three) while Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical consequences. In other words, you may have a psychological and emotional, plus a strong physical dependence on the drug. When an addict stops taking a drug, it can produce an unpleasant physical reaction.
That's complete crap though. The use of illegal drugs is not always drug Abuse
People have used psyhco plants since the dawn of time for many reasons ...now we call it abuse ...utter rubbish.
Whether the popular use of the term 'drug abuse' is in agreement with its real definition is not clear. In my opinion the term is often adopted over the less subjective alternative for its emotive tone. Users of the term 'drug abuse' can brand their targets both immoral and criminal in one go, thus reinforcing the agenda against drug users. The over-use of the term 'drug abuse' has successfully pigeon-holed all drug users in the eyes of many of the public, when in reality drug use does not have to be harmful or immoral.
I think if you compare the strict definitions of 'drug abuse' and addiction there are similarities - particularly in the implied negative impacts of both terms. However if the all-inclusive version of 'drug abuse' is compared to addiction, the two can have completely different meanings.
Yes and many people abuse alcohol intentionaly without being an alcoholic.
Good point ...same with nicotine chocalate coffee food etc etc.
Hugs Ruthie
The brains ability to function normally?
I think the idea behind drug taking is functioning normally isn't enough.
When Francis Crick was functioning normaly ...he was brilliant.
He was struggling to understand the workings of DNA but couldn't quite get his head round it.
Took some LSD and ...there it was ...in front of him ...in all it's glory.
It is and it's more akin to shamanism than abuse.
For years I took coke every weekend along with pills and weed. At the same time I set up my own business and basically lived a very normal life. Out with the kids every weekend, holidays every year, stable relationship and had a kid but eventually this question got the better of me. Am I an addict, a drug abuser or a drug user?
I feel that I had a sort of dependancy albeit a pyscological one in my mind, I just associated the weekend with buying an henry of coke. Didn't touch it in the week, ok that's a bit of a lie but only every now and again if I was out mid-week, not Monday mornings!
I think its a combination of a few things that made me stop. Poor quality these days, fear of addiction, constant runny nose and the knowledge that you act like a twat when you're on it.
I still have the occasional joint and the odd pill, which by the way are fantastic when you only have them every couple of months but really don't miss the beak at all, not least the 'burning a hole in your pocket' feeling when you have it on you!