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Drug abuse vs. drug dependenceDrug 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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