Often, the terms drug abuse and substance abuse are used interchangeably. However, they do slightly differ in the following ways.
Substance abuse is a broad term that refers to the use of any substance—illegal drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or alcohol—in excessive amounts. Many of these addictive substances are fine in small amounts if they are used for preventing or treating health issues. Though, problems can occur when they are misused.
Drug abuse refers to the use of drugs only (not alcohol)—illegal drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs—in excessive amounts. However, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and World Health Organization (WHO) no longer use the term “drug abuse” as a medical diagnosis.
If the problem of substance abuse is not tackled early, it can lead to substance use disorder, which is a mental disorder characterized by an inability to control the urge to use addictive substances, leading to problems at school, work and home.
What are the types of substance abuse?
Alcohol is still the most common form of substance abuse in the United States due to its widespread legal and social approval.
Other types of substance abuse may include:
- Prescription medication or drug abuse includes:
- Opioids (usually prescribed to treat pain)
- Tranquilizers (used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders)
- Sedatives (used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders)
- Stimulants (generally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and narcolepsy)
- Over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse includes:
- Cough medicines (such as dextromethorphan)
- Cold medicines (such as pseudoephedrine)
- Motion sickness pills (such as dimenhydrinate)
- Illegal drug abuse (also called illicit and recreational drugs) includes:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroine
- Methamphetamines
- Anabolic steroids (athletic performance-enhancing drugs)
- Club drug abuse includes:
- Ecstasy (also called MDMA; E, X, E pills; adam and STP)
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB; also called liquid XTC, G and blue nitro)
- Rohypnol (also called roofies and roche)
- Ketamine (also called special K and K)
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD; popular names include acid and microdot)
- Phencyclidine (PCP; popularly referred to as angel dust, lovie, love boat and hog)
SLIDESHOW
Prescription Drug Abuse: Addiction, Health Risks, and Treatments See SlideshowWhat are the signs of substance abuse?
You do not get addicted to alcohol or any drug from one use. The effect builds gradually. Initially, you feel that you can control your urge towards substance use. Over time, you may not be able to do so, and you begin to need more of the substance to create the same effect or “high.”
These are the common signs that point towards substance abuse affecting your life:
- Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
- Sleeping or waking up at odd hours
- Losing interest in things that you used to enjoy earlier
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unusual laziness (you stop taking care of yourself)
- Avoiding meeting with friends and other social interactions
- Spending more time alone than usual
- Unusual decrease or increase in appetite
- Decreased performance at work
- Having problems with family
- Frequent, sudden shifts in mood
- Strong urge to use the substance
If you think you or someone close to you is experiencing the aforementioned problems, do not hesitate to get help. Visit a doctor, therapist or deaddiction center to find out the severity of the substance abuse and to get any treatment or therapy that can help you get out of it.
Can substance abuse be cured or prevented?
Generally, there is no cure for substance abuse and addiction. Recovering addicts tend to get the urge to relapse for the rest of their lives. However, some treatments and strategies can successfully help manage the condition.
Research conducted over the years has provided the medical fraternity with promising treatments for substance abuse. According to studies, a combination of medications along with behavioral therapy has the highest chance of working for most people. A doctor along with a therapist designs a customized plan for you based on your co-occurring medical, mental and social problems to ensure recovery.
Drug abuse and addiction can be prevented. Prevention programs that involve families, schools, communities and the media are effective in preventing or reducing drug use, abuse and addiction.
NCI Dictionaries: Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/drug-abuse
Misuse of Prescription Drugs Research Report: Overview. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overview
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction: Treatment and Recovery. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
Top Difference Between Drug and Substance Abuse Related Articles
Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It can cause myriad health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, birth defects, heart disease, stroke, psychological problems, and dementia. Counseling and a few medications can be effective for alcoholism treatment.
Bath Salts
Ingredients of the drug bath salts include mephedrone, methylone, MDPV, or MDPK. Feeling high and sexually stimulated are symptoms of bath salt abuse. The primary goals for the treatment of addiction symptoms are abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.
Can You Become Schizophrenic From Drugs?
Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental condition that interferes with a person's ability to distinguish their thoughts from reality. Drug use may lead to the development of schizophrenia.
Cocaine and Crack Addiction
Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that is smoked, snorted, and injected. Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that is heated to form vapors, which are then smoked. Cocaine has various effects on the body, including dilating pupils, constricting blood vessels, increasing body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
What Is the Difference Between Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence?
Substance abuse is the use of drugs or alcohol to the point where it causes problems in your life. Substance dependence (addiction) is when you are unable to quit using drugs or alcohol.
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Drug abuse and addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
Important information about your drugs should be reviewed prior to taking any prescription drug. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precauctions, dosage, what the drug is used for, what to do if you miss a dose, how the drug is to be stored, and generic vs. brand names.
How Do I Confront My Teen About Drugs?
Rules surrounding drug use should be clear and consistent to encourage your teen to follow them.
Marijuana Addiction and Abuse
Cannabis use disorder is when you're addicted to marijuana. Learn more about this condition and how to treat it.
Mental Health: Substance Abuse in Older Adults
Abuse of alcohol and drugs among older people has been called the invisible epidemic. Learn what to look out for to protect yourself or a loved one.methadone hydrochloride
Methadone hydrochloride is a synthetic opioid analgesic medication used for opioid detoxification and management of severe pain that does not respond to alternate treatment and requires long-term opioid treatment. Methadone is also used to treat chronic and severe cancer pain or pain from nerve damage (neuropathy). The most common side effects of methadone hydrochloride include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and injection site reactions. Methadone hydrochloride has a high potential for addiction, abuse, and misuse and can lead to overdose.
Munchausen Syndrome
Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder and attention-seeking syndrome in which an individual pretends to have physical or psychological symptoms in order to gain attention. Symptoms and signs vary from heart symptoms, chest pain, and fainting to ear problems and hallucinations. Sufferers tend to seek help from multiple care providers, seem overly pleased at being subjected to tests and procedures, and have vague symptoms that are inconsistent with test results. There is no particular treatment approach that is consistently effective in treating Munchausen syndrome.naltrexone
Naltrexone is a medication used to treat opioid use and alcohol use disorders in adults, as part of a comprehensive management program. Naltrexone may cause depression and suicidal thoughts. Common side effects of naltrexone include injection site reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, changes in appetite, loss of appetite (anorexia), headache, dizziness, fainting (syncope), insomnia, drowsiness (somnolence), and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.nicotine lozenge
Nicotine lozenges are used as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help give up smoking tobacco. Common side effects of nicotine lozenge include palpitations, irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), rapid heart rate (tachycardia), dizziness, increase in blood pressure, oral irritation, increased salivation, sore throat, hiccups, heartburn, indigestion (dyspepsia), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), sleep disturbance, abnormal dreams, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to Quit Smoking: 13 Tips to End Addiction
Quitting smoking is a great way to improve your health. Learn tips and techniques to quit smoking and kick the cigarette habit for good. Learn about smoking cessation products, benefits, medications and other tools.
Sugar Addiction
Learn about sugar addiction to see why we often crave sweets and binge on carbs. Learn how sugar affects the brain and get tips to combat your sweet tooth so you can lose weight.
Teen Drug Abuse
Drugs commonly abused by teens include tobacco products, marijuana, cold medications, inhalants, depressants, stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, PCP, ketamine, Ecstasy, and anabolic steroids. Some of the symptoms and warning signs of teen drug abuse include reddened whites of eyes, paranoia, sleepiness, excessive happiness, seizures, memory loss, increased appetite, discolored fingertips, lips or teeth, and irritability. Treatment of drug addiction may involve a combination of medication, individual, and familial interventions.What Is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is defined as excessive use of any substance that has the potential for addiction.