Difference Between Drug Use and Drug Abuse

Studies have shown that issues like highway crash fatalities and cirrhosis deaths decline with increased alcohol prices. Even minor tax increases on alcohol can lead to a decrease in consumption, highlighting a direct correlation between pricing strategies and public health NCBI Bookshelf. Someone might stop using cocaine, for example, but carry on with (or start drinking more) alcohol because they don’t see alcohol as a problem. People who are addicted to substances like cocaine, heroin, or methadone are more likely to be judged, shamed, or even criminalised.

Alcohol Addiction: Is Alcohol a Drug?

• However, for a more open discussion this issue is preferable using “misuse”.
• If you’re concerned that someone in your life may be slipping down the path to addiction, be willing to approach them with honest questions.
• Understanding the complexities of substance use disorders, particularly in the context of alcohol addiction, is crucial.

Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system, leading to impaired coordination, slurred speech, and decreased inhibitions. It can also cause liver damage and other health problems with long-term use. On the other hand, drugs can have a wide range of physical effects depending on the type of drug used. Stimulants like cocaine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, while opioids can cause respiratory depression and sedation.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

To learn more about alcohol treatment options and search for quality care near you, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. Even though drugs were a huge part of my past, alcohol is what brought me down. I had a successful 15 year career and for the most part a happy 11 year marriage. I always had a full bar at Sober living house home, bars and liquor stores around the corner and money in the bank. I couldn’t relate to needing to commit petty crime and going to insane lengths to score and get high. I started doing cocaine seriously at 17 and I quit because my life had become unmanageable by 22.

Substance Abuse

Alcohol, a widely accepted legal substance, and various drugs, which can be legal or illegal, are often used recreationally. Understanding these differences can help you make informed choices about use and its implications for your health. At Greater Boston Addiction Centers, we provide comprehensive treatment for both alcohol and drug addiction, tailoring our programs to meet the unique needs of each client.

Alcoholism vs Drug Addiction

Karlie says the best advice ever received is to not fall in love with potential. Courtney’s professional experience in substance use treatment began in a holistic residential treatment center. Since then, she has worked across various settings including outpatient, inpatient, and community corrections programs.

MAT is often used for opioid addiction but can also be used for alcohol addiction. Long-term inpatient treatment programs vary in length, but typically last between 3 to 18 months. This type of rehab is best suited to individuals with long-term chronic addictions, especially those who have co-occurring mental health issues. Depending on the severity of the addiction, long-term treatment may be a good option, especially as many programs address the underlying emotional causes of one’s drug abuse. Long-term treatment also provides an Sober living house opportunity for the individual to physically withdraw from whatever drug they were abusing while they focus on their mental and emotional rehabilitation.

• If you are concerned about the presence of alcohol in your system, make sure to discuss any potential issues with your healthcare provider or the testing facility.
• Awareness of these possible dangers is key to understanding the long-term implications of drug use on your mental well-being.
• In terms of drugs, prescribed drugs by the doctor are much safer than other over the counter drugs.
• You may know someone with a drinking problem and want to help, but are uncertain about how to do so.

Dependence can happen with many drugs, even when a person takes them as per their doctor’s instructions. According to a 2021 research article, healthcare professionals often misunderstand them, which can lead to misdiagnosis. “One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed between addicts and alcoholics (in a very generalised way) is in our pasts. Some alcoholics suggest there is, in the interests of “identification”. Being able to relate to people’s stories is, for many, what opens the door to recovery. In the US roughly 450,000 people are in prison for non-violent drug crimes.

Can both programs address co-occurring mental health issues?

While some may exhibit behavioral addiction and harmful patterns, others can stop before dependency takes hold. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, alcohol addiction is a form of drug addiction. However, ’drugs’ are an overarching term to describe the multiple types of substances that are extremely harmful and addictive, including alcohol. Although alcohol is considered a drug, recovery programs are tailored to meet the separate needs of alcohol and drug addicts.