Drug Misuse vs. Drug Addiction

When describing substance use, many terms are used interchangeably, such as misuse and addiction. Because they often have overlapping symptoms and causes, making the distinction between the two diagnoses can be challenging. However, for those ready to recover and seek treatment, knowing the difference between drug misuse and drug addiction will help you understand your next crucial steps.

Learn About Outpatient Treatment

What Is Drug Misuse?

Drug misuse is the use of illegal or legal substances in ways that differ from their intended purpose or in amounts considered excessive. For example, a person may exceed the amount of their prescription dosage or use someone else's prescription. Misused substances can also include alcohol and illicit drugs like heroin and methamphetamine.

In many cases, people misuse substances for experimental and recreational reasons. They try alcohol and other drugs (AOD) due to curiosity, continuing their use as they enjoy being under the influence. Sometimes, substance misuse is linked to specific challenges or situations. People might turn to AOD to ease negative symptoms of medical conditions, relieve stress, avoid reality or even seek creative inspiration. Certain religious rituals also involve drug use.

Not everyone who uses AOD becomes addicted, but regular misuse often leads to addiction. Ultimately, everyone's bodies and brains react differently — some may use a substance for a short period and become addicted quickly, while others may continue to misuse the substance without ever experiencing an addiction.

Even if someone is not addicted, any substance misuse has serious risks. Through decades of research and imaging scans, repeated drug misuse has been proven to cause physical changes to the brain in areas that affect judgment, decision-making, memory and behavioral control. There are also social and legal consequences, such as: 

  • Recurring legal and financial difficulties.
  • Relationship problems.
  • Problems at work, school or home.
  • Endangering one's safety or the safety of others.

Signs of Drug Misuse

If you are concerned that you or a loved one is misusing a substance, recognizing these signs early can be a crucial step in seeking treatment: 

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Change in appetite
  • Red, watery eyes
  • A runny nose
  • Trembling hands or sweaty palms
  • Poor hygiene
  • Hyperactivity or irregular heartbeat 
  • Twisting jaw and twitching nose

Explore More Detox Resources

What Is Drug Addiction? 

Drug addiction is a complex, chronic disease that can lead to intense cravings, causing people to compulsively seek and use AOD. This condition is recognized as a brain disorder because it involves how the brain functions, specifically in the areas that regulate reward, stress and self-control. 

Addiction is by no means a moral failing or a lack of willpower, and reducing the associated stigma is vital for encouraging treatment. Because seeking drugs is caused by habit rather than conscious and rational decisions, those experiencing addiction may continue using even though they are aware of the adverse effects. Some of the other characteristics of drug addiction include:

  • Feeling powerless to stop, even if one wants to.
  • Inability to function in a productive way.
  • Frequent relapse.

As addiction progresses, individuals may develop a tolerance, meaning that their brain or body becomes less responsive to the substance over time. As a result, they seek larger or more frequent doses. Drug tolerances can speed up the negative effects of substance use, such as increasing the likelihood of dependence. Using larger doses also makes one's risk of accidental overdose much higher.

Signs of Drug Addiction

Here are some signs that you or your loved one may be experiencing addiction

  • Changes in appetites, weight gain or weight loss
  • Sleep disruptions
  • Lethargy and fatigue
  • Red eyes or pinpoint pupils
  • Tremors
  • Lack of personal hygiene
  • Poor physical coordination

Learn About Outpatient Treatment

Drug Misuse vs. Addiction: What Is the Difference?

Drug Misuse vs. Dependence vs. Addiction

Besides the physical signs, misuse and addiction can cause individuals to be irritable, feel paranoid, act secretively and continuously exhibit dishonesty. They may change their friends, become oversensitive and disengage from family activities.

Though they share similarities, drug misuse and drug addiction are considered two different diagnoses. Substance misuse is a pattern of harmful use, whereas addiction is a disease that causes changes in the brain that lead to cravings and compulsive behavior. Drug misuse is generally considered a milder form of harmful drug use, whereas addiction is more severe. As mentioned, one can misuse a substance without developing an addiction, but chronic drug misuse often leads to addiction. 

Let's take a closer look at the differences between drug misuse and addiction: 

  • Level of control: Those engaging in drug misuse often still have a certain level of control over their lives. Addiction is characterized by a lack of control — individuals cannot stop using a substance despite wanting to.
  • Consequences of use: People experiencing addiction tend to fail to meet their everyday obligations at work, school and home. Such negative consequences can be severe and persistent, but individuals cannot stop or reduce their use. Substance misuse typically also results in recurring negative implications for individuals. However, they may not experience as many major disruptions and may be able to limit or abstain from using AOD.
  • Reasons for use: In the context of drug misuse, substance use is driven by experimentation or situational factors. For those experiencing addiction, the brain's reward system is disrupted, causing the compulsive use of substances to trigger these reward circuits.
  • Appropriate treatment: While counseling or support groups may be enough for those in the early stages of substance misuse, more severe addictions typically require inpatient substance use treatment.

Drug Misuse vs. Dependence vs. Addiction 

While “addiction” is often used interchangeably with "substance dependence," these are also two separate concepts. Dependence is when an individual's body starts to rely on AOD, and it can happen with many drugs, including prescription medication taken as per a doctor's instructions. Someone with a dependence would experience severe withdrawal symptoms if drug use stops abruptly.

Unlike addiction, dependence isn't a disease that involves difficulty controlling one's behavior. Another difference is that if one is dependent on a substance, gradually cutting it out can help them stop using it. However, this approach wouldn't work in the context of addiction. An individual can also be physically dependent on a drug without experiencing addiction, and vice versa. Someone experiencing both addiction and dependence will usually require medically assisted detox as part of the treatment.

Mental dependence is another possibility. This refers to when someone relies on AOD to help them deal with emotional distress. For example, someone may turn to a substance when they are stressed but feel no compulsion to use it otherwise. This person would be engaging in drug misuse but may not experience addiction. With addiction, the individual would feel compelled to use most of the time rather than only in certain situations. 

The Future of Diagnosing Drug Addiction

Many mental health professionals and addiction specialists no longer distinguish between misuse and addiction. In the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), both drug misuse and addiction are referred to as substance use disorder (SUD). SUDs are defined as complex conditions where individuals repeatedly and compulsively use substances despite adverse consequences. They include:

  • Alcohol use disorder.
  • Illegal drug use disorder.
  • Prescription drug use disorder.

Today, addiction is defined based on different levels of severity that are characterized by a person's relationship with drugs — an SUD can be mild, moderate or severe. More than 20 million Americans over 12 are affected by SUDs to varying degrees. While differentiating between terms like “misuse” and “addiction” is outdated, making the correct diagnosis is still critical for finding the right treatment plan to help individuals find success.

Addiction is both a mental illness and a disease, and it often co-occurs with other conditions like anxiety, depression, mood disorders and trauma. Moving forward, you can expect to see addiction professionals incorporating more neurology, biology and mental health care into the diagnosis process. Understanding the complexities of addiction better allows medical professionals to address a broader range of diagnoses for the most effective treatments.

Additionally, health care reform and evolving policies regarding addiction treatment are making it easier for clients to find the care they need. With greater access to health care services, more people are finding accurate diagnoses for both addiction and co-occurring conditions and getting individualized treatment plans that help them succeed.

Learn About Outpatient Treatment

Why Trust Us With SUD Treatment?

At Diamond House Detox, we understand that addiction is a chronic condition that affects everyone differently. That's why our specialists provide individualized treatment for varying degrees of SUDs, ensuring you or your loved one gets the necessary help. Once we understand our clients and their situation, we explore the various options available, including residential treatment, a sober living home and outpatient care

Our dual diagnosis treatments take a holistic approach — we're committed to addressing the whole person to support lasting recovery. Our care includes addressing our guests' substance use, mental health, and medical, psychological and spiritual needs. In addition to providing guidance and a nurturing but structured environment, we offer individual therapy, group counseling, medically assisted detox and incidental medical services

Get the Treatment You Need With Diamond House Detox

The effects of SUDs can have lasting impacts on many areas of a person's life, regardless of the extent of their condition. However, determining the severity of your or your loved one's drug use makes it easier to find a successful treatment. Our expertise allows us to assess your individual needs so we can give you the best possible care.

To learn more about our Northern California facility, contact us today.

Get the Treatment You Need With Diamond House Detox

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Diamond House Detox
Vicky is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career in healthcare by working in the intensive care unit, and then an inpatient psychiatric hospital. After realizing the mental health needs of both the patients and the families she served, she became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her experience working with clients, she has developed a passion for those with dual diagnoses and specializes in helping individuals recognize the issues driving their substance use. This recognition has been crucial to the individual’s success in treatment. Vicky opened Diamond House Detox so that she can address these issues early on in a therapeutic environment to allow clients to transition to the next level in their recovery.
Vicky Magobet