Recognizing the Signs: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or Substance Dependence?

Published On: March 11, 2024

Determining if you have a substance use disorder (SUD) or substance dependence involves an understanding of your patterns of drug and alcohol use and the impact it has on your life. Understanding the key characteristics, signs, and symptoms of a drug addiction versus a dependence can help you decide on the type of treatment you need.

What is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

A substance use disorder (SUD), also known as a drug or alcohol addiction, is a mental health disorder that affects the individual’s brain and behavior. This neurological and behavioral impact leads to their inability to control their use of a substance, whether legal or illegal, despite the harmful consequences. Substance use disorders (SUDs) can range from mild to moderate to severe. Someone with an SUD may also struggle with multiple addictions at a time, such as opioid use disorder (OUD), cocaine or heroin addiction, or an alcohol use disorder (AUD). There are a range of substances that carry a risk for dependence or addiction, including:

Alcohol
Opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, and heroin)
Stimulants (Adderall, cocaine, and methamphetamine)
Cannabis
Synthetic drugs (K2, Spice, and bath salts)
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin)
Tobacco/Nicotine
Hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, MDMA)

While substance use may begin as an occasional or experimental act, it can become more frequent over time. Some individuals may start to rely on drugs or alcohol for pain relief, in social settings, mood improvements, or falling asleep at night. Depending on the drug, this substance dependence can quickly escalate and develop into an addiction or substance use disorder (SUD).

What is a Drug or Alcohol Dependence?

A drug or alcohol dependence is instead a physiological state that develops over time from regular substance use. The body begins to adapt to the drug’s effects, which manifests as tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when they’re not using. Drug tolerance is when someone starts to require more significant amounts of alcohol or a specific drug to achieve the same effects. Withdrawal symptoms are the physical and psychological symptoms that someone with a substance dependence experiences when reducing or stopping their substance use. These symptoms can include anxiety, nausea, vomiting, tremors, diarrhea, and insomnia. Symptoms may vary in type and severity according to the drug of dependence and the severity of dependence.

Substance Dependence vs. Substance Use Disorder (SUD): What’s the Difference?

When determining if you have a substance dependence or addiction, there are key differences to understand to take the proper approach to treatment. Substance use disorders (SUDs) or drug or alcohol addiction is a disease, but substance dependence is not. While a physical dependence on a drug is not a disease, it’s essential to understand that it can lead to an addiction.

Physiological Process vs. Behavioral Disorder

A drug or alcohol dependence takes a physiological focus as the body adapts to the substance. A substance use disorder (SUD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the compulsive urge to use substances despite the consequences. Someone with a SUD or addiction often abandons their priorities, such as family, relationships, work, and health, to use drugs. Dealing with a substance dependency can manifest from prescription medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol. While repeated behaviors define a drug or alcohol addiction, dependence can develop by taking a prescription for pain management.

Tolerance vs. Cravings

As someone continues to take a particular drug or consume alcohol, their tolerance to that substance starts to build. As someone’s drug or alcohol tolerance increases, they begin to require more of the substance to feel its intended effects. While tolerance can lead to an addiction, there is no specific relationship other than that tolerance and dependence are indicators of substance use. Addiction cravings are when someone with an SUD experiences a compulsive desire for a substance and a loss of control over their use. Someone with a substance dependence does not experience intense cravings or uncontrollable behaviors regarding drugs or alcohol.

Withdrawal Symptoms vs. Continued Use

Someone with a drug dependence may experience withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping their substance use, whether legal or illegal substances. People with substance use disorder (SUD) will continue to use drugs or alcohol even if it’s causing problems in their lives. Individuals dealing with an addiction might be struggling with their physical or mental health, relationship issues, or even poor performance at work. The neurological impact of addiction makes it incredibly challenging for someone with an SUD to stop using drugs or alcohol without professional treatment.

Can Develop with Prescription Medications vs. Changes in Brain Chemistry

Dependence can develop over time, whether it’s from taking a prescribed medication or regular alcohol consumption. While the effects of regularly drinking alcohol may differ from taking a prescription from a healthcare professional, the potential for developing a substance dependence remains. Drug dependence is not necessarily fostered by substance misuse or abuse, whereas a substance use disorder (SUD) is. Drugs can alter essential brain areas, such as the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex.

The basal ganglia play a role in the brain’s reward circuit, which, over time, drugs can make it difficult for someone to feel pleasure. When drugs stimulate the extended amygdala, this can elicit feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, and unease. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for our thought processes, decision-making, and problem-solving, which is jeopardized through recurring substance abuse. The alterations in these brain areas are what lead individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) to continue compulsively seeking out and using substances.

Strategies and Treatment for Substance Addiction and Dependence

While some cases of substance dependence may require medical treatment, the level of treatment may differ compared to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Substance dependence requires addressing the physiological aspects of drug or alcohol dependence, whereas SUD treatment addresses the behavioral patterns of addiction. Addressing a substance dependence or addiction in rehab treatment involves treatment strategies and programs tailored to the individual. The type of drug used, the individual’s physical and mental health needs, and the severity of their dependence or addiction are all considered when specializing a treatment plan.

If you’re unsure whether or not you need treatment for drug dependence or addiction, we are here to help! Palm Beach Gardens Recovery provides holistic drug and alcohol addiction treatment in South Florida.

Reach out today to get in touch with one of our addiction specialists!