Understanding the Difference between Drug Abuse and Chemical Dependence You must have seen the words ‘abuse’ and ‘dependence’ being used interchangeably when describing a person’s destructive relationship with alcohol or drugs. But, in medical terms there is a difference between abusing a chemical substance or drug, and being dependent on it. In this blog, we intend to highlight the essential differences between drug abuse and chemical dependence so that you can develop a better understanding of the behavioral disorder faced by you or a loved one. Decoding the Signs of Drug Abuse Drug abuse can be defined as the inability to stop using a drug even after knowing its adverse effects on the mind and body. Drug abusers continues to use substances even after facing adverse social and financial consequences like failure to complete office work, meet family obligations and incurring monetary losses. Sometimes, drug abuse also leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. The initial symptoms for drug abuse includeinterpersonal problems, risk taking behavior, losing interest in everyday activities and involvement in illegal activities. Drug abuse if not treated in time can lead to severe health and even legal consequences. What is Chemical Dependence? Chemical Dependence means that a person has extreme physical or psychological need for a particular substance, to an extent that stopping its usage may lead to withdrawal symptoms. In simpler terms, we can say that chemical dependence is a condition in which a person’s mind or body depends on the substance to function in a “normal” fashion. A situation of physical dependence is created when the body of a person develops tolerance for the drug and more & more quantity of the drug is required to achieve the desired effect. Some of the signs of chemical dependence include:
Physical indications like vomiting, sweating, nausea, chills and tremors — within a few hours of not taking the drug Psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety and irritable behavior Repeated attempts to quit the drug are unsuccessful
If you or anybody near you experiences the above mentioned symptoms then it is time to consult a specialist to understand if it is a case of drug abuse or chemical dependence. In fact, some behavioral health centers like Quapaw House, Inc. can help in providing effective
treatment for both scenarios with http://quapawhouseinc.org/ to know more.
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Summary- Chemical dependence or drug abuse can have adverse effects on a person’s health, mental state and social life. To avoid facing legal and financial consequences, it is best to take special medical care at a licensed health care center.