Sometimes the phrases “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” are used interchangeably, but this is actually an error. Drug Abuse and drug addiction are two entirely different issues; however, they are connected: drug abuse can lead to drug addiction.

According to the most common definitions in use, drug abuse occurs when a person uses an illegal drug to get high or uses a legal drug in a different amount or manner than that which was prescribed. For example, a person with a legitimate prescription for painkillers is abusing the drug if they crush the pills and snort them, rather than taking the prescribed dose orally as directed.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines drug abuse as “excessive use of a drug” or “use of a drug without medical justification.”  The University of Maryland Medical Center characterizes drug abuse as the “use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for at least a year with negative consequences.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has dropped the terms “drug abuse” and “substance abuse” in favor of the phrase “harmful use”, focusing on the consequences rather than the action of use. This suggests that not all illegal drug use is abuse; some persons are able to use illegal drugs in a way that does not lead to negative life outcomes.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction, also called dependence, as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful effects”. Addiction is referred to as a brain disease because the chronic use of drugs alters the brain structure and functions.

NIDA notes the following as symptoms of addiction: drug taking in larger amounts than planned; inability to reduce drug use despite repeated efforts; a considerable amount of time spent in activities necessary to attain the drug; and repeated use despite knowledge of health or social problems caused by the drug.

Although there are many different definitions of drug abuse, the definition of drug addiction is consistent throughout the literature on the subject. If you’d like to find out more information about abuse, addiction or drug testing, please contact us.