Substance dependence and substance abuse are two terms that are often used interchangeably. However, these two terms have significant differences whist between them.
Substance dependence is a medical condition in which the body becomes dependent on a specific drug or substance. If a person who has depended on a particular substance abruptly discontinues use, he or she may experience withdrawal symptoms. Prednisone, for example, is a synthetic glucocorticoid medication used to treat illnesses such as arthritis, a blood ailment, breathing problems, and so on. Prednisone belongs to the corticosteroid class of medicines. If a patient uses Prednisone for several weeks and then discontinues it without contacting his doctor, he may have withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, and so on. This reliance develops because the body has grown accustomed to the steroid prednisone. Dependence develops as the body adapts to a particular drug.
Substance dependence is a medical phrase that depicts drug or alcohol addiction that continues even after severe issues have arisen because of the use. The following are some indications of substance dependence:
• Tolerance of the medicine or the need to increase the dosage to achieve an effect. • Withdrawal symptoms that occur when you reduce your medication intake and cease taking the drug.
• Investing a significant amount of time in obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of drugs.
• Continuing to use drugs while being aware of the physical, psychological, and other issues associated with drug use.
Substance abuse is a psychological condition in which we pursue or use a specific drug or substance obsessively. When not using the substance, the user experiences physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms. The person cannot resist the desire to use the drug or substance, although continued usage may have negative repercussions. Addiction alters brain structure and, as a result, brain function. It results in an inability to exercise control over the use of legal or illegal drugs or substances. Drug abuse or addiction is a chronic disorder that must be treated appropriately and as untreated conditions can be lethal. Drug abuse comprises both mental and physical dependence on a specific substance.
We have rarely seen somebody who is not harmed because of substance abuse, yet there are situations when it does not. For example, consider a woman who relies on drugs to get through her menstrual cycle. One pill will probably have little effect on someone’s daily life, but is it advisable to be substance dependent?
Substance abuse and addiction are common among teenagers, and they frequently do so to distract themselves, relieve discomfort, or conform to peer pressure. Depending on the level of concern for drugs being abused, if a chemical has no aftereffect on the person consuming it, it isn’t a cause for concern.
Most parents want to ease their children’s misery and suffering, which is why many of them can’t help but allow their children to engage in substance misuse. Most parents will not seek treatment from a therapist or psychologist if this substance has no effect on their child’s daily life. The harmful impact of substance abuse on people causes those around them to seek medical attention.
Many people believe that the goal outweighs the means. As a result, if they do not misuse a drug, it has no effect. It is the abuse of drugs that frequently results in agonizing repercussions, whereas a person who requires an appeal to get through her period is not an addict but a drug-dependent person. They can address medically substance abuse, and we do not recommend that patients withdraw from any drug on which they rely without first visiting their physician, since this might lead to withdrawal symptoms and influence them in the long run. As a result, a physician’s consultation is required to cease substance abuse, which may take some time but is manageable.
Substance abuse is frequent among teenagers and young adults. Although substance use, including experimental usage, puts people at risk of short-term issues such as accidents, fights, inappropriate sexual activities, and so on. Substance abuse also affects adolescent brain development. This group of persons is more prone to the effects of substance abuse and is more likely to gain long-term consequences such as mental health issues, academic underachievement, and so on.
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