Addiction vs substance abuse - addiction is a shorter term manifestation of dependence on a particular substance or class of substances, as in opioids or tobacco. Substance abuse is a condition whereby you abuse substances to escape from the world you live in. Substance abusers can be addicts, or might not be. Being addicted to a particular thing is not necessarily life ending - I was a smoker for many years, quit and I have been chewing nicotine gum for years. I'm probably not going to die from that, even if I never stop. But I am addicted to nicotine.

A certain family member has taken street drugs, oxycodone, steals tramadol from people, and drinks when those things are not available. This person is not addicted per se to any one - there is no detox. But they are a substance abuser of a high order. Drinking and taking pills until they are completely blotto and pass out. You find bottles all over the house, shoved in closets and under sinks to avoid detection. Hidden pill bottles.

The only success rate is when people are good and ready to quit and nothing short of that works. Having the patience to wait for that is really hard.