Substance abuse usually refers to the abuse of alcohol or drugs, but not addiction or chemical dependency.  In many cases the substance abuser can return rather quickly to the use of substances without the problems or trouble caused when they abused them. 

When someone becomes chemically dependent or addicted they can rarely stop on their own.  They often need help/assistance to stop the progression of addiction.  “Progression” will be explained on a later blog.  They sometimes spend many years as a substance abuser before addiction or chemical dependency grabs them.  Stay tuned for “The Stages of Addiction”.