Many people start using substances of various kinds throughout their lives. You might have someone who experiments with a legal drug, like alcohol. They might try recreational marijuana, which is legal now in several states. You may also have a case where an individual tries an illegal substance, like cocaine or methamphetamine.
When does substance abuse cross over from experimentation into a disorder, though? We will discuss that in the following article. Remember that you can always find a Los Angeles outpatient program if you live in the area and feel you’ve crossed the line from experimentation or regular drug use into the realm of disorder or addiction.
What Does the Term “Substance Abuse Disorder” Mean?
Most doctors or mental health professionals classify substance use disorder as the condition when someone is no longer in control of their substance use. In other words, someone who uses a drug occasionally and selectively probably does not qualify.
When someone uses a drug every day, they may have crossed over into substance abuse disorder, but not necessarily. For instance, someone who drinks a single beer every night with dinner can probably be designated as a habitual drinker, but still not someone with a substance abuse disorder.
Someone who uses drugs every day and starts exhibiting withdrawal symptoms if they stop using them can be considered to have a substance abuse disorder. Most medical professionals agree that physical dependency is a hallmark of this condition.
Is a Heavy User Someone With Substance Abuse Disorder?
You might see a situation where someone uses a drug every day, and they might use it excessively sometimes as well. For example, maybe you have someone who drinks a single beer every weeknight, but then they drink several beers every Friday and Saturday night. Do they have a substance abuse disorder?
In such scenarios, you might have doctors or other medical professionals who do not necessarily agree on whether such a person could be deemed an addict or to have substance abuse disorder. If they still have control over their actions, and they don’t go into physical withdrawal if they go without their drug of choice for a few days, they may be a heavy user, but they still might not meet the clinical definition of having substance abuse disorder.
Someone Who’s Not in Control Should Seek Help
Once you start talking about someone using a drug every day, and heavily on some days, choosing whether to classify them as having substance abuse disorder is splitting hairs. The terminology doesn’t matter so much at that point.
What matters more is whether this person feels they are in control of their actions anymore and whether they think they want to make a change in their life. Such a person should also factor in how their family members and friends feel about their drug use.
If they feel like they’re losing control and if their family members or friends are worried about them, that’s when they should probably make some changes.