My AS and i talked with his counselor about this a while back. Some people can try drugs (occassional recreational use) or abuse drugs (use too much or regularly) but dont actually become addicted - they can walk away from it and never look back. someone who is addicted either physically or mentally cannot just walk away from the drugs and they will use to the point of loosing everything if they dont work at it. It came up because in my earlier days i partied - so my son cant understand why if i have used drugs that i'm not an addict today and why it doesnt have any affect on me now - she explained that i abused them but i wasnt an addict. but the thing is someone who tries or abuses drugs can become an addict - its just playing with fire.