When it comes to addiction, people have a lot of terms to learn. One of them is drug dependence. What is drug dependency, and what should you do about it? Learn more about this topic and how to go about getting help.
What Is Drug Dependence?
There’s no major difference between drug dependency and addiction. In both cases, people feel like they need drugs to function normally. However, there’s a difference between dependence and abuse.
The American Psychiatric Association refers to abuse as the early stages of inappropriate substance use. What people need to know, however, is that drug abuse usually leads to drug dependency and addiction.
The modern Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders doesn’t use drug dependency or abuse anymore. The term “substance use disorder” replaces both. The goal of combining the two terms is to decrease confusion about them.
With that said, some rehab centers still use drug dependence because it’s easy for people to understand. As the term suggests, it refers to depending on drugs to feel normal.
What to Do About Drug Dependency
Once people develop a drug or alcohol dependence, their only option is to get professional help at a rehab center. It gives them the best chance of overcoming addiction safely and without relapse. However, the best way to avoid dependency is not to use drugs in the first place.
It’s also important to keep in mind that certain people are more at risk of developing drug dependency. For instance, some people can take prescription painkillers with no problem, while others cannot. Some factors that increase the risk include:
- A history of addiction in the family
- Social anxiety problems or loner behaviors
- History of other mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.
- Lives in an environment with easy access to illegal drugs
- Uses drugs for recreational purposes
Also, certain drugs are more likely to cause dependency than others. Heroin, for example, is more likely to cause dependency quicker than alcohol.
We Can Help You Get Your Life Back on Track
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston, we focus on providing drug dependency support for people just like you. We believe that all addiction treatment needs to start with an alcohol or drug detox. Without proper detox, you can’t get the most out of your rehab program. Some of the different services that we provide include:
- Gender-specific detox
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Residential detox program
- Customized detox plans
Don’t let drug addiction keep you from living the life that you want. Reach out for help today. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866.516.8356 to take your first step toward a drug-free life.
