Drug abuse vs. drug dependence is two different aspects of the
problem. Drug abuse is the over use of a chemical that
affects the body in negative ways and that has negative emotional and
psychological affects on the individual.
Drug dependence is a physical need of the body on that
chemical. It is an overwhelming desire to acquire more and
more of a chemical with complete focus on that desire. This
is known as addiction. When the chemical is removed the
addict will most likely suffer symptoms that are typical withdrawal or
the bodyís ìletdownî when it
doesnít receive the drug.
Whether it is drug abuse or drug dependence the problem
isnít limited to the addict but rather affects everyone who
the addict loves or comes in contact with. It affects people
in all walks of life from successful businessmen to housewives and
teens.
There are some who are able to control their habit and usage,
especially when that dependence is on nicotine or caffeine.
But when people use other addictive drugs such as heroin or cocaine
that ability to control the habit or keep the negative effects from the
rest of their lives, is severely compromised.
People who are victims of drug abuse donít often recognize
the problem in themselves. They live in denial and do not get
the help they need to stop their destructive behavior. In
order to get help they must first recognize they need help.
Others canít recognize the problem and force a person to
seek assistance.
Usually the drug abuse behavior starts off innocently enough when the
addict tried the drug of choice to see what the effects might be or
because their friends were using. It isnít long
before they become dependent upon the effects in their life and want
those effects to continue.
Those who are dependent upon caffeine actually need the drug to stay
awake and alert during the day or need it to wake up in the
morning. This is an actual physical need that the body
requires to jump start hormonal excretion to help the mind become more
focused and alert.
A person can recognize a drug dependence in their body when the stop
using the drug and develop withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours of using
the drug for the last time. These symptoms vary from drug to
drug but often include nausea, vomiting, irritability, mood swings,
loss of appetite, tension, depression, anger, frustration, and anxiety.
Depending upon the drug the period of withdrawal can last from 3 to 30
days. This time period is dependent upon the half-life of the
drug and the degree to which the body was dependent upon the drug to
function.
Treatment of drug abuse vs. drug dependence starts with
detoxification. This process is best done under the care of a
physician who can help the symptoms be more tolerable for the addict as
well as monitor bodily systems so they arenít compromised to
the point of danger to the life the recovering addict. Most
rehabilitation programs also include counseling and support groups to
help the recovering addict integrate successfully back into their
social group without relapsing.
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