Denial is about fooling yourself into believing that everything is okay. It is like a blind-spot for the consequences of Substance Abuse and Addiction. Denial is not something that anyone sets out to do. It just happens.

Because Denial blinds people from the problems that arise from their use, they do not seek help. If you don’t see a problem, there is no reason to get help for it.

A Delusion is a fixed, false belief that is not consistent with true reality. Some people may develop Persecutory Delusions when they use or withdraw from stimulant drugs.

They may believe that others are watching them, trying to hurt or to harm them. Delusions are one type of psychotic symptom.

Dependence generally refers to a person whose well-being has come to rely upon the use of a drug for physical reasons, emotional reasons or both. One may also be 'dependent' on another person.

Depression is a word used by professional persons to refer to a persistent group of symptoms including low mood, low energy, lack of interest or enjoyment in life, sleep, appetite and other physical changes. It is a condition that may require specific treatment.

The word depression is now commonly used to refer to feelings of low mood or sadness. It does not always suggest a mood disorder.

The term Designer Drug refers to drug which is made in a home or ‘basement’ laboratory, usually by an amateur chemist. Often, another drug is altered chemically to change its intoxicating effect.

A designer drug may be impure and produce unexpected and/or dangerous complications.

The process of removing a drug from the body is called Detoxification.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur during this time. Depending on the drug of abuse, detoxification may last for a days or weeks and may or may not require medical supervision.

Dysthymic Disorder results in moderate symptoms of low mood, loss of interest or enjoyment and persists for two or more years.

The symptoms are less severe than Major Depression but may last for years or for most of a lifetime.