Difference between Substance Abuse and Substance DependenceSubstance Abuse and Substance Dependence, these two terms are used interchangeably, but they refer to different situations and have a different meaning as described below: Substance Abuse:Substance abuse refers to the use of a substance or drug in amounts or with methods neither approved nor supervised by authorized medical professionals. It is the misuse of a drug beyond its intended purpose and prescription, including the use of illegal drugs. So, if a person is taking drugs without consulting a doctor or against the guidelines and policies related to the use of the drug, it is called substance abuse. The most common reason for this abuse is the desire to get a certain feeling or sensation. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the following signs may indicate that a person is abusing drugs:
Substance Dependence:It refers to a condition when the body or brain?s neurons of a person adapt to repeated drug exposure and only function normally under the influence of that drug. In this situation, a person experiences a strong physical or psychological need for a substance to the extent that he experiences withdrawal symptoms when stops using the drug. The body or mind of such people largely depends on the drug, which they are using, to function in a normal manner. It is natural that substance abuse may lead to substance dependence, but the two conditions are not identical. The people suffering from substance dependence may:
Thus, based on the above information the key differences between substance abuse and substance dependence may include the following points:
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