The simple drug abuse definition is a condition in which a person has a compulsive need to use and abuse drugs. The drug abuse definition usually includes either alcohol or any other addictive substance that causes dependence and changes brain chemistry. Mental health and medical experts consider drug addiction to be a mental disease because of how drugs cause long-lasting and harmful changes to the brain.
Studying the Drug Abuse Definition
The drug abuse definition tends to be misunderstood as a simple problem of willpower or weakness wherein the addicted person can choose to stop abusing drugs at any time. However, if this were truly the case, substance abuse would not be so chronic and widespread. Addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and nicotine have led to huge health care costs of over 700 billion dollars a year, plus increases in crime and decreases in productivity. Not only that, but addiction has also been linked to over 90,000 American deaths per year. Tobacco use and abuse contribute to over 480,000 deaths per year.
People who meet the drug abuse definition typically have a wide range of personal situations that led them to drug abuse. However, the one constant is that once a person abuses drugs and has their brain rewired, it is very difficult to get out of it without help. Because of how drug abuse causes certain parts of the brain to be suppressed, the desire to continue taking the drug is typically very strong. When stopping use, patients experience very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as well as strong cravings. This helps explain why addicted persons will eventually prioritize drug seeking and using anything else in their lives.
Categories of Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse uses the term addiction for behaviors involving compulsive drug seeking and using. The term substance abuse disorder is used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. There are four major symptom groups under the drug abuse definition, including:
- Impaired control (i.e. patient attempts to control use, but fails)
- Social impairment (use begins to affect patient’s daily life and activities)
- Risky use (i.e. using despite a hazardous situation)
- Tolerance and withdrawal (i.e. dependence).
A pattern of use typically emerges with intoxicating substances that may include all or several of the following steps:
1. Patient ends up taking more of the substance than intended or prescribed, or for a longer duration.
2. Patient feels the need to stop or reduce use, but can’t do it.
3. Patient spends significant time trying to get more of the substance, use it, or recover from using it.
4. Patient experiences strong cravings to use the substance.
5. Patient continues to use the substance despite social or relationship problems.
6. Continued use results in the patient failing to fulfill obligations in daily life.
7. Patient begins to give up other activities of interest in order to use the substance.
8. Situations arise wherein the patient uses the substance despite risks.
9. Patient keeps using the substance despite health problems caused or made worse by the substance.
10. Patient experiences tolerance to the substance, requiring more for the desired effect.
11. Patient experiences withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing or reducing the use of the substance.
Addiction and Drug Abuse Definition
NIDA uses the term addiction while the DSM uses the term substance abuse disorder, but both fit the drug abuse definition. People start using different substances for various reasons and it’s not always immediately harmful. It begins to fit the drug abuse definition when the person uses legal substances harmfully or begins using highly harmful illegal drugs. Reasons for use can include pleasure seeking, stress alleviation, or attempting to avoid or alter reality. Drug use may also start when the person has an underlying psychological disorder that they wish to self-medicate. Drug use reasons are individual and varied.
A person can be physically dependent on a substance without being addicted. Physical dependence is one criterion for addiction, but not the sole criteria. Another question that people may have is whether drug abuse is voluntary and represents a lack of willpower. Using a substance for the first time is generally voluntary, however, once the substance begins to change brain chemistry, the patient’s ability to control it becomes seriously impaired. People who fit the drug abuse definition will actually show physical changes in their brains, specifically in areas that control judgment, impulse control, and memory.
Treating addictions is possible, despite it being a chronic disease wherein relapses are not just possible, but likely in many cases. Medication and behavioral therapy are the strongest approaches to treating addiction, but at the same time, any treatment model should be highly tailored to each patient. Every patient’s drug use patterns are different, as are the reasons they started using in the first place. Successful treatment depends on a personalized approach.
Why a Personalized Approach to Addiction Treatment Works
Healing Springs Ranch in Tioga, Texas combines a caring community treatment center with a unique, whole person treatment plan. Many addiction treatment centers claim to have personalized treatment programs, but Healing Springs Ranch has a truly individualized program from the very beginning. Upon admission, every patient will have an assessment, which asks the question of why addiction exists in the patient. The ensuing treatment plan will attempt to fully answer this question.
Healing Springs Ranch focuses on finding underlying trauma and issues that patients may not even realize they have. Getting to the core of addictive behavior is the best way to begin comprehensive treatment and prevent relapse. Healing Springs Ranch counselors work to get to know patients and build treatment programs based on their history of use, unique needs, and motivations. The key to treating addiction is to recognize that it is a truly personal disease and no two cases are exactly the same.
Even though Healing Springs Ranch uses a range of holistic and medical therapies, the true distinction of the facility is a comprehensive intake process that seeks to understand patients and their addiction.
Residents at Healing Springs Ranch will have access to a variety of amenities and treatments, including:
- Nine hole par three golf course.
- Workout facility
- Lifestyle training
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beautiful private lake with fishing and kayaking available
- Organic nutrition
- Sand volleyball court
Addiction is a disease that varies widely by individual, so it makes sense that treatment must be personalized in order to be successful. Take back your life from the clutches of addiction through individualized treatment programs at Healing Springs Ranch. To find out more about the drug abuse definition and inpatient drug rehab, call Healing Springs Ranch at 866-656-8384 today and get started on the road to recovery.