Addiction and abuse and the need for rehabilitation and to what degree of rehabilitation is needed, have long been an involved and much discussed topic for many in the field of drug abuse and addiction treatment. Drug Abuse or substance abuse is often defined as the continued use of any substance like cocaine, heroin methamphetamine, and prescription drugs for non medical reasons or outside the directions given by the medical practitioner. Drug addiction or alcohol addiction is defined by many as the repetitive use of a substance after negative consequences have been experienced.

The use of any substance beyond the desired effect, illegally or for non medical reasons is considered abuse by many addiction counselors as underlying reasons driving the compulsion to altar the persons state of consciousness to that degree is of particular concern.

Normally irresponsible behavior precedes substance abuse which should be the cause of concern. Many teenagers make the uninformed decision to altar their state of consciousness by using drugs in first place and with drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine studies have shown nearly 100% of the people who use these drugs will do so again. That would imply addiction has set in and the need for addiction rehabilitation is eminent. Many would argue the level of addiction treatment required could be suspect however considering the underlying compulsion to use these any substance in this manner requires extensive rehabilitation or change in the person views on life. 

There is a fine almost invisible line that can be crossed over unnoticed from abuse and drug addiction. Many feel someone can abuse drugs without being addicted and the reverse is impossible. It is not possible to be addicted to drugs without abusing them. As stated earlier many addiction counselors feel the dependence on any substance constitutes a level of addiction and will increasingly move away from and continually lessen any chance of addiction recovery.  

Some experts troubled with this nearly impossible difference have outlined different levels in the addiction process.

Level one is the exploratory or recreational stage with the substance abuse often curtailed in a short period of time, level two is the abusive or substance abuse stage and often requires substance abuse treatment on an outpatient basis and level three is the dependent stage that we normally associate with the word addiction and often requires treatment of some length to overcome.  

Drug addiction implies a loss of any control and the need for the drug is paramount. Drug abuse implies the implementation of a choice to abuse a substance. This choice is born out of a desire to use the substance to help ease circumstances or situation. In this way it is one step further on the road to addiction because it is no longer being used for purely recreational reasons.

It is important to pay attention to drug abuse because it has within it the seeds of the compulsivity that leads to dependency and addiction. This is true in most cases though not in all. There are small percentages of people who can abuse drugs but are impervious to becoming dependent.

Drug addiction means that the drug abuse has become a compulsive need for which there is only one solution. At this point the addict feels that there is no choice and that the urge is beyond their control.

Substance abuse and addictions have several components that comprise the problem and are both physical and psychological. Often they occur simultaneously because the brain is directly connected to the psychological aspect of addiction and its functions are directly and immediately altered taking weeks to correct. The bodies’ biochemistry is altered to the degree it can take weeks to correct after one use often causing and enormous physical craving that can only be remedied with complete detoxification of the body and restoration of nutritional deficiencies created by drugs or alcohol. 

Someone suffering addiction has both a psychological and a physical dependency and will need professional help with both the physical and underlying mental emotional issues involved in the life of drug or alcohol addict. Those addicts will prove the most stubborn, profound will need help in handling and will more than likely need an Addiction Intervention. Many families wait for exorbitant periods of time after of series of legal problems, health problems and virtually a slew of irresponsible often life threatening behavior prior to enlisting the help of a professional.

Regardless the views on abuse and addiction, anytime the repeated use of any substances, alcohol, and prescription drugs and of course illicit drugs occurs the chances addiction treatment will be needed are greatly increased. If you have questions about drugs, drug or alcohol abuse, addiction and the need for substance abuse treatment or drug rehabilitation please call an addiction counselor at 866-989-4499, We are here to Help!