What is the Difference Between Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

How do drug addiction and alcoholism compare to each other? If I have problems with one, does that mean I’m at increased risk for the other? How can I get treatment for either of them?

Many people have questions about drug and alcohol addiction and dependence. Luckily, there are clear answers to these particular questions. It turns out that alcohol and drug addiction are basically the same thing. Both produce physical changes in brain structure and make the brain chemistry dependent on the substance. In fact, the names are a bit misleading—alcohol is a kind of drug, and logically can be included in the forms of drug addiction.

So if both are the same in terms of what they do to the brain, what’s the best way to recover the normal structure of a healthy brain? For addictions and chemical dependences to street drugs, prescription drugs, designer drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, by far the best way to break the habit is detox and rehabilitation. If you or a loved one has a problem with any kind of drug (alcohol included), you should seek help before more damage is done, to the person’s brain, life, and relationships.

Thankfully, there is good help out there. Medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy have proven to be effective in treating drug dependence, especially at supportive rehabilitation environments. It’s very important to find the right treatment center, that’s why at Seabrook, we customize our treatment plans to individual patient’s needs, so you know the help you’re getting is right for you or a loved one. Seabrook has rehabilitation centers in New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and an outpatient center in New York (NY). Contact Seabrook today for any questions about drugs, alcohol, addiction, and treatment.