Drug abuse is serious. Get help now before it turns into a full-blown addiction. If you or someone you love is abusing a drug, call Recovery Connection toll-free at 1-800-993-3869. We are standing by 24/7 and can put you in touch with drug abuse treatment centers throughout the United States. All calls are confidential.
Many people mistakenly believe that drug abuse and drug addiction are one in the same. This is not the case. While both drug abuse and addiction are dangerous and difficult to discontinue without help, they have different diagnosis criteria. Knowing the difference between drug abuse and addiction can be the key to getting the most effective help for one's particular problem.
The Difference Between Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction
Drug abuse is when someone tries an illegal drug or starts using a legal drug in a way in which it wasn't intended. Drug abuse is the first step towards addiction.
Drug addiction begins with the abuse of a drug and ends with the person having a compulsive, uncontrollable need to use the drug and cannot quit on their own. They have lost complete control.
The following lists the differences between drug abuse and addiction.
Drug abuse occurs when people:
- use drugs to help them change the way they feel about themselves and/or some aspect(s) of their lives.
- set limits on how much and how often they use after experiencing some problems associated with their drug use.
- seldom repeat any drug-related behaviors that have caused them problems in the past.
- accept complaints they receive about their using as expressions of concern for their well-being.
Drug addiction occurs when people:
- continue to use despite any negative consequences associated with using.
- set limits on how much or how often they use but unexpectedly exceed those limits.
- break promises to themselves and/or other people that they will use in moderation.
- feel guilty or remorseful about their using but still fail to permanently alter the way they use.
- resent, discount and/or disregard any comments or complaints they get about their using.
Drug Abuse Treatment
Understanding the difference between drug abuse and addiction is the first step towards getting the help you need. Recovery Connection has referred thousands to drug detox and drug abuse and addiction treatment centers throughout the country.
For immediate help locating a drug abuse treatment center in your area call 1-800-993-3869. Operators are standing by 24 hours a day to take your confidential call.
Drug Addiction Treatment Centers:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If your state doesn't appear on this list, please call Recovery Connection® at 1-800-99-DETOX and we will be happy to assist you.
