Substance abuse vs. addiction is a severe crisis because it affects millions of people in the US. According to a national survey, an estimated 20.8 million people aged 12 years and above abuse substances. Furthermore, approximately 2.1 million adults have symptoms similar to those of opioid use. The Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) reported more than 5,000 deaths in the US related to drug and alcohol use in 2016.

Substance Abuse vs. Addiction

Drug abuse involves using illegal and legal substances in ways not prescribed. It could be taking another person’s prescription or consuming more pills than the right dose. People abuse drugs for several reasons, including avoiding reality, easing stress, and feeling good.

Addiction sets in when an individual finds it difficult to stop using substances, even when financial, emotional, and health problems are imminent. Whether you want to quit or not, the urge to use particular drugs can occupy all hours of your day, thus lowering productivity.

When you find it challenging to perform your activities without using drugs, this could signal an addiction, and it’s critical to seek immediate treatment at a Northern Illinois rehab center.
For substance use and addiction treatment, you can get various rehab services, including:

• Medication-assisted treatment
• Dual-diagnosis treatment
• Group therapy program
• Holistic treatment approach
• Sober living homes
• DUI rehab program

How Addiction Affects Your Brain

The brain is made in a way that if an experience feels good, you would want to repeat it, leading to the motivation to make it a habit. Addictive drugs can affect your reward system in the brain by filling it with dopamine. The chemical triggers pleasure feelings, and you can find yourself in a state of wanting to chase the same.

Continued substance abuse vs. addiction can make the brain used to the additional dopamine. This is why you’ll need more drugs to experience the same high. As a result, the things that you used to enjoy before (like going out with family members and eating delicious meals) become less appealing.

Long-term use of drugs and substances can alter your brain’s chemical combination and impact your decision-making process, memory, and learning ability. These changes can lead you to seek the drugs to function normally.

Who Is at Risk of Addiction?

While addiction can affect anyone, regardless of religion, race, or background, everyone’s brains and bodies are unique. Also, reactions to drugs may be different. Some people love the experience after trying drugs for their first time while others don’t like it.

Although addiction may not get everyone using drugs, it can affect anyone. Several factors may increase an individual’s chances of becoming an addict, including:

• Troubled relationships
• Mental disorders
• Using drugs at an early age
• Environment
• Family history

Consequences of Substance Abuse and Addiction

Substance abuse can be a painful experience for the victim. Apart from many physical consequences, it can lead to organ damage, infectious diseases, and premature death. These effects may not only apply to long-term use because binge drinking for one day only can get you in dangerous situations, and the results can be tragic.

Those struggling with addiction may lose jobs, drop out of school, and break their relationships.

One may finally become homeless after losing everything, including home or property.

Although these losses are severe to the addicts, they’ll continue to use until they receive the right treatment.

Get Help at Northern Illinois Recovery Center

Substance abuse vs. addiction can be one of your worst life experiences. However, don’t let drugs and substances ruin your life when you can get assistance from our mental health experts. Contact us today at 855.786.1978 to get started.