Many people do not realize that there is a difference between substance abuse and addiction.Substance abuse and addiction are related concepts, but they have distinct meanings. Both involve the use of substances like drugs or alcohol, but they refer to different patterns of behavior and levels of severity.

Substance Abuse:

• Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. It involves behaviors that lead to negative consequences but may not necessarily indicate a physical or psychological dependence.
• Examples of substance abuse include using drugs or alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous (e.g., driving under the influence), experiencing recurrent legal problems due to substance use, or continued use despite persistent social or interpersonal problems.

Addiction:

• Addiction, also known as substance dependence or substance use disorder, is a more severe and complex condition. It goes beyond substance abuse and involves a physical or psychological dependence on a substance.
• Key features of addiction include tolerance (needing increasing amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect), withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance, loss of control over use, unsuccessful attempts to cut down or quit, and significant time and energy spent obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance.