It’s relatively common to draw a line between the terms “addiction” and “abuse” when discussing substance use, but is there really a difference? To put it briefly, the answer is a definitive yes, but the line between the two can become easily blurred, particularly when discussing cocaine use and cocaine addiction treatment.
Cocaine doesn’t produce the sort of withdrawal symptoms you see in other substances (such as heroin, benzodiazepines, and alcohol), which are so often connected with the term “addiction.” Because of this, it can be less clear where the line between cocaine addiction and cocaine abuse lies unless you understand the explicit definitions of the terms. To help you better understand the difference between the two, we’ve detailed those definitions below.
If you or someone you love needs a cocaine addiction treatment center in California, contact Virtues Behavioral Health by calling 855.579.8599 to learn more about treatment options.
What Is Cocaine Abuse?
The idea of what constitutes drug “abuse” may vary widely between people. Some believe that it’s possible to use drugs in moderation and never cross the line to abuse, while others believe that the use of any illicit substance at all is in and of itself abuse. The truth, however, is that there is a more rigid definition of the term than either of those lays out.
The dictionary definition of cocaine abuse would read something like “the habitual and excessive use of cocaine which results in negative consequences.” While that is a rather clear and succinct way of putting it, there are greater details that can help you understand whether you or a loved one has crossed the line to abuse:
- Caused physical harm to you or someone else
- Led to legal issues for the user
- Impeded the fulfillment of regular responsibilities
- Resulted in isolation from friends and loved ones
If you’ve experienced any of the above, your use constitutes abuse, and you may want to look into a cocaine rehab center in Los Angeles. There’s no reason why anything you do recreationally should have lasting negative consequences on your life or the lives of others.
What Is Cocaine Addiction?
While cocaine addiction does not include the overt physical withdrawal symptoms connected to some other drugs, it is still a very real and very dangerous thing that comes with a rather stringent definition. Substance use disorder is actually defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as it is considered a clinical medical condition.
The definition of addiction includes the following criteria:
- Taking larger amounts of the substance
- Expressing a desire to cut back or quit but continuing to use anyway
- Retrieving, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance consumes more and more time
- Having urges and cravings to use the substance
- Failing to adhere to responsibilities at home, work, or school due to using the substance
- Other hobbies, interests, pursuits are no longer appealing
- Mental and physical withdrawal symptoms
If even a few of these describe your cocaine use habits, you should strongly consider seeking out a cocaine addiction treatment center in California.
The Difference Between Abuse and Addiction
As you can see, cocaine abuse and cocaine addiction are not dissimilar at all. That’s because abuse is the precursor to addiction; the more of the above criteria that you add to your list, the further you move down the path from abuse to addiction.
Regardless of where you are on either path, your best course of action is to seek help from a cocaine addiction treatment center. The negative mental and physical effects and the interpersonal and legal issues are most likely only to continue to worsen.
Find a Cocaine Rehab Center in Los Angeles at Virtues Behavioral Health
If you need the help of a cocaine addiction treatment center, we are here to help. When you’re ready to begin on your road to recovery, contact Virtues Behavioral Health online or call 855.579.8599 today.
Virtues Behavioral Health is a substance abuse treatment center in Los Angeles, California. We offer addiction and mental health treatment at our outpatient rehab center. Our substance abuse treatment programs help clients avoid relapse and rebuild their lives. Contact our Los Angeles addiction treatment center at 855.265.7710
