Difference Between Drug Use And Drug Abuse

At a present time, drug addiction is the condition of being unable to stop taking illegal harmful

According to the Diagnostic Statistic Manual 5 (DSM-5) substance use disorder is when the individual has a dependency on alcohol or drug, followed by penetrating craving and antisocial behavior to acquire the substance. The terms substance abuse and substance dependence refer to substance use disorder, which has been separated into three classifications as follows

All around the world anyone can find people that are addicted to some form of drug. Drug addiction is a huge issue that has been occurring for about thirty years now and is occurring to this day for many reasons. Some of those reasons may be that something is going on back home and they have had enough, or because of stress, peer pressure, biological reasons and the list goes on. However, there has been law enforcement due to drugs since the mid 1980’s. People have many viewpoints to when it comes to drug use and addiction. There are three perspectives people have that view the use of drugs and drug addiction which are structural functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionist.

The history of addiction goes back centuries, and unfortunately, there is still a long way to go for people to realize the effects of chemical substances do more harm than good. The difference between drug use and abuse relies heavily on a person’s dependence on the substance. The line between the differences is often very fine. Depending on other factors involved, such as morals, values, environment, and genetic predisposition, the line will most likely be crossed without regard to the consequences until treatment and recovery are the only options left. This is essay compares two theoretical explanations

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the user consumes the

Outward signs of substance abuse grow in intensity and number, leading to full-blown addiction. For example, an Opioid use disorder escalates very quickly and signs are readily apparent: A strong desire, or need for opioids, the inability to reduce consumption, continued use even though it interferes with personal and social obligations, the use of increasing amounts in closer intervals, the development of tolerance, a great deal of time and effort goes in to obtaining and using opioids, and symptoms of withdrawal that occur when attempting to stop, or limit, use.

The definition provided above is accessible and easy to understand; however, it initiates false beliefs among individuals because it fails to acknowledge that drug addiction is a mental health problem. Moreover, when words such as, “dependence”, “control” and “craving” are used to define drug addiction, it leaves an impression to the reader that addicts are indeed “people who cannot control their impulses.” Consequently, when we fail to recognize that drug addiction is a mental health problem, our focus is diverted towards the physical aspect of drug addiction. This could cause the belief among individuals that drugs alone cause the addiction. It is essential to acknowledge that there are chemical hooks in drugs; however, individuals need to understand that drugs alone do not cause the addiction. We need to identify and distinguish the “root cause” of addiction and ask ourselves: what caused the individual to take the drug in the first place?

The disease model of addiction rests on three primary assumptions predisposition to use a drug, loss of control over use, and progression (Krivanek, 1988, p.202). These physiological alterations cause an undeniable desire to take more drugs (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). Addicts are viewed as individuals with an incurable disease with drug addiction as the symptom. The disease model argues users cannot be held accountable for their addictions (Kirvanek, 1988).

Clearly, it would be in the best interests of society to address the problem with substance use disorder. There are ten separate classes of drugs, which include alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens stimulants, and unknown substances (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In order to diagnose someone with substance use disorder the DSM 5 (2013) lists eleven separate criteria. The individual may require higher amounts or longer periods than was originally planned. Obtaining, using and recovering from the effects of the drug may take the majority of their time. The daily routine revolves around the drug. When the

Substance abuse is the harmful or dangerous use of any psychoactive substances including drugs, alcohol and even tobacco. The term ‘Substance Abuse’, as understood today was first used in 1987’s DSM-IIIR, before that social & cultural factors were not considered. Even with that change, many Americans still today consider drug and alcohol abuse to be moral weakness or character defect.

Substance abuse disorders is easily defined when an “individual continues to use the substance despite experiencing negative consequences from their use. These negative consequences can include health problems; difficulties in their family, work, and social life; and financial and legal problems. They are said to be dependent on the substance when,” in addition to theses negative consequences, they build tolerance and experience withdrawal if they stop using the drug” (Martin, 2007, p. 265). Substance abuse dates back to the early Americans colonies with beer that was brought over by the pilgrims and more popularly the ratification of the Constitution to prohibit the use of alcohol

-One of the two basic ways of looking at drugs is psychological and sociological effect which focus is on the study of substances that alter our feelings, thoughts, perception of the world, and behavior. Psychoactive drugs are illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, LSD, PCP, ketamine and GHB, that influence the functioning of the brain, behavior, and experiences .The other way to look at drugs is the social circumstances that lead to drug-taking behavior. First the use of psychoactive drugs modifies the functioning of the brain both at the time during which the drug is present in the body and later when the drug taking behavior stops. Second, drug dependence is a result of a complex interaction of the individual and his and her environment. All drugs, whether illegal or legal, can become dangerous substances when abused. Therefore, the legal classification of drugs means little in terms of how toxic or addictive a substance may be. Some of the most potent medications prescribed by doctors are as harmful if not more so as some of the drugs classified as controlled or banned substances.

Chapter 14 and the DSM IV defines substance abuse as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances” (Ashman, 4th edition 2013, pg. 442).

to govern much of the individual’s behavior. The most extreme case of drug use is the

Drug abuse is definable mainly in terms of societal disapproval. It may involve experimental and recreational use of drugs, which is usually illegal with risk of arrest; unsanctioned use of psychoactive drugs to relieve problems or symptoms; or use of drugs first for the previous two reasons but later because of dependence and