Drug Addiction Information

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Unknown to many individual, drug addiction is not the same as drug abuse or substance abuse. More to the point, while individuals who abuse drugs are not necessarily drug dependent, people who are addicted to drugs, to the contrary, are also drug abusers.

People can become addicted to a variety of different drugs or substances such as prescription drugs (like oxycontin or percocet), inhalants (examples include gasoline or household cleaning agents), illegal drugs (morphine or cocaine, for instance).

Dysfunctional Behavior and Actions

Whatever the substance or drug that is taken, drug abuse AND drug addiction are typified by the harmful ways in which the substance or drug takes over the person’s life, disrupting his or her daily functioning at work, home, or school, leading to recurring drug-related legal difficulties, damaging relationships, and negatively affecting his or her peace of mind.

Psychological and Physical Dependence

Drug addiction can be psychological, physical, or both. 

Psychological addiction, on the one hand, refers to the subjective feelings the addict requires to experience euphoria or intense pleasure. 

For instance, taking a drug to “chill” or to dull the pain of an unpleasant circumstance are examples of emotional or psychological dependence.

Physical addiction, on the other hand, refers to the physiological effects of drug and substance use and is typified by tolerance, defined as the need to take more and more of the drug in order to experience the initial “buzz” or “high” and withdrawal symptoms that take place when the addict suddenly quits taking the substance or drug.

Unfortunately, the individuals who are actively involved in drug abuse and/or drug addiction are commonly the last ones to “see” their own symptoms of addiction and abuse and their destructive behavior.

Differentiating Between Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction

To point out the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction, definitions of both terms will be discussed below. 

Drug abuse is defined as a pattern of taking drugs that results in one or more of the following circumstances:

• Failure to attend to important responsibilities at home, work, or school.
• Experiencing habitual alcohol-related legal difficulties. Examples include getting arrested for damaging another person’s property, for physically harming a person while drug impaired, or for driving "under the influence."
• Taking drugs in situations that can lead to physical injury. Examples include driving a vehicle or operating machinery.
• Continued use despite ongoing drug-related relationship problems.

• Tolerance: The need to take increasingly more drugs in order to feel a “buzz" or to get “high."
• Craving: A powerful and continuing compulsion or need to take drugs.
• Loss of control: The inability to limit one's drug use over time or on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms that take place when a person suddenly stops taking drugs. Examples include: sweating, nausea, and shaking.

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