Drug abuse and drug addiction are interchangeably referred to as “substance abuse” and “substance addiction.” So, what is the difference between a drug and a substance? At the most fundamental level, all drugs are substances, but not all substances are drugs. At Spokane Falls Recovery, we offer drug addiction treatment for you or a loved one.
What Is a Drug?
A drug is any material – except food or water – that, when ingested, physically or psychologically alters the body’s functions.
Drugs can be legal or illegal. Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine are examples of legal drugs. Cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth are examples of illegal drugs. Prescription medications are legal as long as they are being taken only by the person to whom they were prescribed. Marijuana is legal in certain states and illegal in others.
How Do You Define “Substance”?
A substance is any matter that has uniform properties. When referring to abuse or addiction, the term “substance” can refer to legal or illegal drugs. However, because it is a larger category, it can also refer to materials that can be abused to alter the body. Some examples of non-drug substances are:
- Cleaning products
- Glues
- Spray paint
- Gasoline
- Nitrous oxide
If you or someone you know is abusing or is addicted to a drug or other substance – whether legal or illegal – the team at Spokane Falls Recovery Center can help. Reach out to us online today or call us at 844.962.2775 to speak to our highly-trained clinicians and learn about the substance abuse treatment programs we offer.
What Is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is different from addiction. Likewise, you can engage in substance use without it being considered abuse. Having the occasional cocktail or cigarette, for example, would fall within the category of normal substance use for most people. This said, use can readily lead to abuse, and abuse can easily lead to addiction.
Substance abuse can be defined as a pattern of using a substance in a harmful way or in a way it is not intended to be used. Some examples of substance abuse are inhaling household chemicals to create a mind-altering state or drinking alcohol to the point of losing consciousness. If your substance use results in any of the following, you may have a substance abuse issue:
- Missing school or work regularly
- Impaired judgment or self-control
- Heath issues
- Social impairments
- Loss of friends or family
- Engaging in high-risk behaviors
Many people engaged in a pattern of substance abuse can convince themselves that they do not need to seek addiction treatment programs. However, multiple studies show that consistent substance abuse nearly always leads to addiction.
Risk Factors for Addiction
Addiction can start with what seems like harmless substance use in social situations. The younger you are when your substance use starts, the more likely you are to progress to addiction. Certain drugs, like opioids, are higher-risk drugs that can lead to addiction more quickly than drugs like alcohol or marijuana. Other common factors can lead to an individual’s likelihood of developing a substance addiction, such as:
- Genetics
- Home environment
- Social pressures
- Stress
- Mental illnesses
- Age of use
- Gender
- Ease of drug availability
If you are worried that you or someone close to you needs help with a substance use issue, you must reach out for professional help at an addiction treatment center like Spokane Falls Recovery Center.
The Importance of Getting Help for a Substance Use Disorder
One of the most enduring myths about substance abuse is that it is a weakness of will or a moral failing rather than a chronic, relapsing medical condition that requires professional treatment to overcome.
While it has become more commonly accepted that addiction is a medical disease, there remains a social stigma that can contribute to not seeking help for addiction. Spokane Falls Recovery Center aims to eliminate that stigma and encourage anyone suffering from addiction to seek treatment today.
The many treatment programs we offer include:
- Assessment and intervention
- Court-ordered treatment and legal support
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment program (OP)
We also treat a broad range of substance use disorders, from alcohol and marijuana to opioids, prescription drugs to illicit substances like heroin, cocaine, and crack.
Contact Spokane Falls Recovery Center Today
If you suspect that you or someone you know needs help dealing with a substance use disorder, call Spokane Falls Recovery Center today at 844.962.2775 or reach out to us using our convenient online form. Let our individualized, holistic treatment help you to navigate your journey of recovery.
