Yes, many individuals suffer from polysubstance abuse, meaning they are addicted to multiple substances simultaneously. This condition requires specialized treatment that addresses both dependencies at the same time. Whether its anxiety that’s numbed by alcohol after work, or pills masking deep despair, the overlap in addictions runs deep. Integrated treatment that addresses both conditions can be lifesaving. We understand the complexities surrounding co-occurring disorders and Beachside Rehab is here to guide you on the journey to success and recovery.
- PHP also involves counseling and group therapy, as well as specialized services that focus on skill-building, relapse prevention, and employment assistance.
- A caring professional is waiting for your call to be your guide to addiction-free living.
- Wanna learn more about their effects on physical and mental health?
What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone Who Is Addicted to Drugs?
Read ahead to learn more about the differences between substance use and substance abuse (the remainder of the article will use the term “substance use disorder” rather than “substance abuse”). For those with alcohol addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship with support, resources, and information. SMART Recovery is another organization that offers a scientific-based addiction recovery, supplying resources and support for those struggling with addiction. Act now and get the help you need to become healthy and live a fulfilling life without substance or alcohol abuse.
Short-Term Effects on Health
Both conditions are forms of substance use disorder and involve compulsive use despite negative consequences, but the specific signs may vary. When someone abuses alcohol and drugs together, the health risks of both substances blend together. The co-occurring disorders place the person at even greater risk than if they were abusing alcohol alone. Furthermore, some drugs react dangerously with alcohol or alcoholism vs drug addiction aggravate the negative side effects of alcohol.
Examples of dependence
In fact, it is possible for a person to abuse drugs or alcohol without becoming addicted. Regardless of whether or not abuse becomes addiction, both forms of substance use are incredibly dangerous and can have detrimental effects on a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Identifying the differences between the two can help you determine the next steps to take in acquiring help. Statistics indicate that over 60% of individuals treated for a substance use disorder relapse within the first year following treatment 4.
Support Groups
Addiction is a disorder that affects millions of people worldwide as well as their families and communities. Addiction to drugs and substances and alcohol addiction may share some similarities, but they also have their differences. Both conditions can lead to devastating consequences for the person and their family, making recognition of differences crucial. Understanding how to differentiate between alcoholism and drug addiction can empower individuals to seek the right kind of help. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we provide comprehensive, individualized treatment plans designed to address the unique challenges of both alcohol and drug dependencies.
Historical inequities in healthcare, cultural stigma, and location-based barriers drive these disparities, highlighting the importance of culturally informed treatment and policy. Racial and ethnic differences reveal disparate burdens of substance use, as well as uneven access to treatment services. Despite men’s higher overall usage, both genders require support structures that address specific risk factors, treatment adherence, and relapse triggers.
Drug Abuse Economic Burden
When someone you love is facing addiction, it’s hard to know where to turn. Some find the distinction between “alcoholics” and “addicts” important for identification. But for others, that distinction is food for defenses that help to minimise the extent of the problem and the scope of the changes necessary. Even though drugs were alcoholism a huge part of my past, alcohol is what brought me down.