chemical dependency and substance abuse

Chemical dependency and substance abuse are closely related terms that refer to an individual’s addiction to drugs or alcohol. Chemical dependency is often used to describe a more severe form of substance abuse that includes physical and psychological dependence on a substance. Substance abuse, on the other hand, may refer to a less severe form of drug or alcohol use that may not lead to dependence. However, the terms are often used interchangeably and may have different meanings depending on the context. Ultimately, both terms refer to the harmful use of drugs or alcohol and require intervention and treatment to overcome.