Purchase Solution

Substance Disorders and Dependence

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

What is the difference among use, abuse, and dependence? Why is it important to understand this difference?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Regarding substance abuse, this solution discusses the difference among use, abuse, and dependence, and why it is important to understand this difference. DSM-IV-TR criteria are discussed. References are provided.

Solution Preview

Let's take a closer look.

RESPONSE:

1. What is the difference among use, abuse, and dependence? Why is it important to understand this difference?

The difference is importance in order to guide treatment interventions, which differ for use, abuse and dependence. Use is not aa disorder, so you would rule out abuse and dependence is they did not meet the criteria for either disorder, and it would be assumed the person used alcohol but did not abuse or was nto dependent on it.

It is also important to differential between drug abuse and dependence, because of latter involves withdrawal symptoms, which will need to be addressed, as well as detoxification from the alcohol under supervision of medical personnel. Hallucinations and DTs can cause seizures, so often the person is given medication when detoxifying from alcohol. Therefore, treatment is different.

Whereas drug abuse often has social and family problems, and perhaps legal issues pending related to drinking, such as DUIs, accidents, driving while disqualified, assaults, family disturbances, and others. These might also be present for the drug dependent person, but they are progressed in the disease of alcoholism and needs more intensive care, such as in-patient treatment, as opposed to most-often out-patient for the person who abuses alcohol.

Therefore diagnosing the individual by ruling out either disorder (then it is use) or ruling in either Substance Abuse or Dependence is important. One tool to do this is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV & DSM-IV-TR).

DSM-IV & DSM-IV-TR: ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Abnormal Psychology

This quiz will explore the faucets of abnormal psychology, from the question of what is abnormal, to the intricacies of DSM diagnosable disorders.

Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud

This quiz explores the personality theory of psychoanalysis, in particular reference to how Freud conceptualized of this theory.

Perspectives of Psychology

A review of main theoretical perspectives and those most closely associated with them

Controversies in Developmental Psychology

This quiz addresses controversies in developmental psychology.

Piaget's Theories on Development

Do you know all about Piaget's theories on development? Find out with this quiz!