What is the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction?

Published May 14, 2010

I am witing something freelance and just wondering if anyone can give me an addequite difference between drug abuse and drug addiction.

The definition of an addict is: 1. To cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance
2. To occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively

Definition of drug abuse: he use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. The repeated use of drugs to produce pleasure, to alleviate stress, or to alter or avoid reality (or all three).

The use of a drug for a purpose other than that for which it is normally prescribed or recommended.

the habitual misuse of a chemical substance

They are very similar definitions. Almost the same.

Why are people either classified as a drug abuser or a drug addict? Drug abusers don’t usually get the intese care an addict does. Remember, the definition for addic includes psychological addiction… not just physical.

What is the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction?

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