The terms “drug use” and “substance abuse” both have inherently negative connotations. And although you might have heard them used interchangeably, they have quite distinct meanings.
The significant difference between drug use and substance abuse isn’t just semantics. Understanding each term is crucial to recognizing the signs of potential problems so they can be addressed right away. Here’s what you should know.
Defining Drug Use
Drug use involves utilizing alcohol, illegal or legal drugs, prescription medications, cannabis, or nicotine. With the exception of illegal drugs, these substances may be safe if use is controlled and limited.
For example, taking prescription medication as prescribed should be OK. The purpose of such a drug is to treat a physical or mental health condition. There are protocols for dosage, frequency, and duration of a prescription designed to keep use safe and effective.
Defining Substance Abuse
Substance abuse involves a lack of control, risky, dangerous, and harmful use of substances. Substance misuse will negatively impact your mental and physical health and can lead to drug addiction or drug dependence.
The term “substance abuse” is no longer used in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.” That’s due to the stigma that often gets attached to the term. It’s now referred to as “substance abuse disorder,” which more accurately describes the condition.
Substance abuse disorder is both a mental health and a behavioral health issue. The former refers to your psychological and emotional well-being. The latter refers to mental health disorders that affect your behavior.
The good news is that substance abuse disorder is treatable. And the earlier you begin treatment, the better outcomes you can expect.
Treading a Fine Line
As you can imagine, there is a fine line between drug use and drug abuse. What begins as the use of a substance you can control can easily get out of control. The substance user may become psychologically or physically dependent on it.
Substance misuse is a compulsive behavior. Despite how it’s affecting your health and your ability to work and function normally, you continue to abuse the substance. If you wait too long to seek treatment for the disorder, you may find yourself spiraling out of control.
Perhaps you started taking opiates for pain as prescribed following an injury. But you find yourself dosing more frequently. Later, you may find yourself battling drug addiction in which you’re both physically and psychologically dependent.
Enjoying a beer when you knock off work or a drink or two when you go out for dinner is OK. However, when your alcohol consumption becomes more frequent and your intake increases, you begin to abuse it.
Note also that being able to forgo alcohol for a day or two doesn’t mean you don’t have substance abuse disorder. Binge drinking is also indicative of the condition.
You Can Suffer from More Than One Condition
It is not uncommon for those with substance abuse disorder to suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders. In fact, roughly one third do. Which disorder comes first depends on the individual.
There are four key mental health disorders that may lead to developing substance abuse disorder. Those are anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. People with these mental health disorders may abuse substances as a way to cope and self-medicate.
Moreover, violence is often a hallmark of some of these mental health disorders. A tendency toward violence can be exacerbated by substance abuse, furthering the aggression the person already exhibits. It can pose serious danger to both sufferers as well as those around them.
For some, the substance abuse disorder precedes a mental health disorder. The former can lead to developing mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. It’s not an uncommon consequence when the substance abuse disorder leads to a lack of control over someone’s life.
Treatment Is Critical
Patients who seek treatment at the first signs of substance abuse often achieve better outcomes. That treatment will address both a patient’s psychological issues as well as any physical substance dependence. You don’t have to wait until you “hit bottom” to recognize the problem and get help.
Some signs may include spending money you don’t have on the substance and keeping a supply readily available. You may engage in uncharacteristically risky or illegal behaviors. And you might refuse to stop using even when loved ones urge you to.
The type of treatment you will benefit from depends on your unique circumstances. If you’re battling substance abuse with a co-occurring mental health disorder, you may need more intense treatment in an inpatient setting. Chemical dependency will also usually require inpatient treatment to wean you off the substance while also addressing psychological dependency.
Choosing the right drug and alcohol rehabilitation provider will be critical to your success. The more inpatient and outpatient services a treatment center provides, the more likely you’ll get the support you need.
When the substance becomes a need in your life rather than a want, you have crossed that line between drug use and substance abuse. Recognize it and seek help. You don’t have to fight it alone. But you can get your life back.
