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Physical signs of substance misuse often include changes in appearance and health status. Individuals may experience noticeable weight changes, bloodshot eyes, poor coordination, or unusual sleep patterns. They might also show signs specific to their substance of use, such as slurred speech, dilated pupils, or frequent illness and hangovers. These may include declining performance at work or school, financial problems, secretive behavior, or changes in social circles 3. You may want to reach out to a friend or loved one for support as you start your treatment journey. Their encouragement could be the motivation you need to talk to a healthcare provider. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death. People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried. The fact that this critical part of a teen’s brain is still a work in progress puts them at increased risk for trying drugs or continuing to take them. No matter where you are, know that this condition is treatable and help is available when you’re ready. The most common hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP). While naloxone has been on the market for years, a nasal spray (Narcan, Kloxxado) and an injectable form are now available, though they can be very expensive. Science Updates The platform provides reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its purpose is to educate, support, and empower people in their pursuit of well-being. Integrated treatment approaches are essential for addressing co-occurring disorders effectively. This means treating both conditions simultaneously rather than addressing them separately. Research shows that integrated treatment leads to better outcomes than treating each condition in isolation 6. Additionally, cognitive function often suffers during active addiction. Introducing drugs during this period of development may cause brain changes that have profound and long-lasting consequences. Consider how a social drinker can become intoxicated, get behind the wheel of a car, and quickly turn a pleasurable activity into a tragedy that affects many lives. Occasional drug use, such as misusing an opioid to get high, can have similarly disastrous effects, including impaired driving and overdose. Use these free education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health and related topics. Recognizing the signs of addiction can be challenging, as the condition often develops gradually, and individuals may hide their symptoms. How are these co-occurring disorders diagnosed and treated? Substance use can trigger or worsen symptoms of mental health conditions, particularly anxiety and depression. Similarly, mental health challenges may lead to substance use as a form of self-medication, which continues the cycle. It may help to get an independent perspective from someone you trust and who knows you well. You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary care provider. Or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. Changes in the brain The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others. But with continued use, a person’s ability to exert self-control can become drug addiction substance use disorder symptoms and causes seriously impaired. If left untreated, they can last a lifetime and may lead to death. The latest information and resources on mental disorders shared on X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn about NIMH priority areas for research and funding that have the potential to improve mental health care over the short, medium, and long term. Use these free digital, outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction. Protective factors, on the other hand, reduce a person’s risk. Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological. Updates about mental health topics, including NIMH news, upcoming events, mental disorders, funding opportunities, and research. Further Reading NIMH offers expert-reviewed information on mental disorders and a range of topics. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). MentalHealth.com is a health technology company guiding people towards self-understanding and connection. Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. SUD medications If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. More In Conditions A-Z Group therapy supports people with SUD in maintaining abstinence and restraint. Their encouragement could be the motivation you need to talk to a healthcare provider. Follow-up care can include periodic appointments with your counselor, continuing in a self-help program or attending a regular group session. Many find success through support groups (like Narcotics Anonymous) and ongoing therapy. Two groups of synthetic

However, they may not engage in compulsive, drug-seeking behaviors or use cheaper, illicit drugs to feel good. They can get past the withdrawal symptoms without feeling like they must find a way to use opioids again. Many risk factors contribute to a person becoming addicted to alcohol or other substances, including genetics, biology, environment, and life experiences. Today, the APA classifies substance use disorders as mild, moderate, or severe. Misdiagnosis of addictive disorders can lead to a cascade of negative outcomes, including stigma, discontinuation of needed medications, undue scrutiny of both patients and physicians, and even criminal consequences. Studies have shown that addiction can form in individuals through acombination of genetic makeup and poor social skills. Some jurisdictions are moving towards treating addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one, but progress is slow and uneven. Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or ADHD can increase the risk of substance abuse. Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers So, what exactly is addiction, and why does it happen to some people but not others? What these strategies are depends on the substance or behavior a person wants to stop. Unlike addiction, dependence does not necessarily involve difficulty controlling behavior. What’s the difference between physical and psychological addiction? Addiction typically involves changes in brain chemistry that affect judgment, motivation and memory. Addiction and dependence are distinct but interconnected concepts that emerge at different stages of substance use. It’s a complex interplay of physical and psychological dependence combined with a compulsive drive to seek out the substance or behavior, even when it causes harm to yourself and those around you. To reiterate, the DSM-5 dropped the categories of “substance dependence” and “substance abuse,” and so the claim that substance abuse disorder is the preferred term for drug addiction is inaccurate. It includes the psychological drive to continue using substances despite their harmful effects. Tolerance develops due to various physiological mechanisms, including changes in receptor sensitivity and neurotransmitter levels in the brain. For this reason, it’s important that individuals with dependence on a substance seek help before they develop an addiction. On the other hand, dependence occurs when the body adapts to the presence of the substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the substance is reduced or stopped. What are the first signs that someone is developing a substance dependence? At Deluxe Addiction Treatment Center, we believe financial barriers should never prevent you from receiving the care you deserve. Many major insurance providers can cover a significant portion—or even all—of your treatment costs. We proudly accept most PPO and POS insurance plans with out-of-network benefits. If you’re unsure where you fall on addiction vs dependence, we’ll help you get clarity and a plan. If you notice these or other changes in someone you care about, it may be time to have a conversation about addiction. Copyright © 2025, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. As it worsens and becomes more frequent, the odds of developing a substance use disorder increase dramatically. Could someone who is dependent on alcohol or drugs be diagnosed as having an addiction? The terms “addiction” and “dependence” are often used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two. Although someone with a drug addiction can end their physical dependence on the drug through detox, the mental component of the addiction remains, and maintaining sobriety can be an ongoing struggle. Let’s examine Alcohol Use Disorder how the world views addiction versus dependence in relation to substance abuse disorders. Remember, seeking help and support is not a sign of weakness, but rather an act of self-care and empowerment. We know that the difference between addiction and dependence is often challenging to understand. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can also play a crucial role in addiction treatment. Someone who is physically dependent may not be psychologically addicted—they may not crave the substance or engage in compulsive behaviors—but their body still reacts to its absence. A person with an addiction has difficulty not using substances or doing rewarding activities, even if it is harming them. Understanding this overlap helps explain why withdrawal management alone isn’t sufficient treatment for addiction. According to the National Center on Drug Abuse (NIDA), therapy and substance use counseling can be one of these helpful components. If a mental health condition like depression contributed to an individual starting to misuse a substance, a trained therapist can help them identify the condition and propose strategies for managing symptoms. Addiction refers to a chronic disease characterized by addictive behavior that is caused by fundamental changes in brain circuitry as a result of physical dependence over time. Addiction can cause distorted thoughts, uncontrollable behavior, and impulsive choices stemming from a person’s chemical drive to keep a addiction vs dependence substance in their system. Addiction and substance use disorder are the preferred terms for this process, as substance abuse is no longer used in the scientific community.