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Essay On Substance Interdependency

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Substance dependence and substance abuse are two drug-taking behaviors that influence an individual’s ability to function. According to Levinthal (2012), substance dependence is defined as an individual physically depending on a controlled substance. Individual’s portrays various signs indicating a dependency problem. The DSM-IV measures dependency based on criteria within a twelve month time frame (Levinthal, 2012). Substance dependence can be rather disturbing to an individual when dealing with the side effects. Tolerance, withdrawal, and unintentional overuse are three of the seven criteria which have to meet the DSM-IV for substance dependency (Levinthal, 2012). According to Deas, Grindlinger, and Roberts (2005), “An individual with a substance dependence diagnosis may also endorse abuse symptoms; however, the individual will only qualify for the substance-dependence diagnosis” (p. 11).
The first dependency concern is substance tolerance. Substance tolerance is due to an individual having to take larger doses to get the effect of a drug …show more content…

There are four principles which DSM-IV measure of an individual with substance abuse (Levinthal, 2012). The first principle is repeated substance use. This poses as a problem due to the individual’s inability to perform well at work. For example, the individual can lose one’s train of thought or have trouble staying awake. The second principle is repeated drug use in dangerous circumstances (Levinthal, 2012). An example of this would be operating an automobile. The substance abuse impairs the individual to focus. The third principle is due to repeated substances, legal issues happen. An example of legal issues may be stealing due to the reoccurring substance use. Finally, continued use of substances without further acknowledgement of the problems, for example fighting with a spouse (Levinthal,

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