Difference Between Abuse and Misuse

Abuse vs Misuse
 

Difference between abuse and misuse can be understood easily, if you pay attention to the context in which each word is used properly. Misuse and abuse are two words that are often confused when it comes to their usage as they both generally carry the meaning of using something wrongly. If, somebody uses a drug without knowing its purpose, then it leads to drug misuse. However, when someone uses a drug intentionally too for a wrong purpose, it is still misuse. On the other hand, knowing pretty well about its purpose, if a person uses a medication as a habit, then it is called drug abuse. Here, to use the word abuse to refer to this action, the person should be misusing the drug until it becomes a dangerous habit. This is the main difference between abuse and misuse. Abuse is far more serious than misuse. It is interesting to note that both the words are often followed by the preposition ‘of’.

What does Misuse mean?

In other words, misuse sometimes results out of ignorance and lack of sufficient knowledge. Misuse of power is normally heard in the case of people who occupy powerful positions in the society. Here, you can see that misuse can be done intentionally as well as unintentionally. There are people who use their power wrongly knowing it is wrong and there are those who misuse power not knowing it is wrong. On the other hand, misuse is not an offence but it is criticized by the general public and the opposition as a whole. There is no addiction in the case of misuse but, on the other hand, misuse often ends in the losing of power and position in society. Misuse results in bribery and corruption when it is related to power.

What does Abuse mean?

On the other hand, abuse results from a habitual action. At the same time, abuse of drugs is often heard of in the society too. Drug abuse is a serious offence, and it is punishable too. On the other hand, drug abuse results in lack of health, hospitalization, and sometimes in death too. Abuse often results in addiction. Abuse refers also to using defamatory language in public or in the privacy. There is no such defamation in the case of misuse. When talking about people, you use the word abuse not misuse.

What is the difference between Abuse and Misuse?

• If, somebody uses a drug without knowing its purpose, then it leads to drug misuse. However, when someone uses a drug intentionally too for a wrong purpose, it is still misuse.

• On the other hand, knowing pretty well about its purpose if a person uses a medication as a habit, then it is called drug abuse. Here, the person should be misusing the drug until it becomes a dangerous habit, to use the word abuse to refer to this action.

• Abuse is far more serious that misuse.

• It is interesting to note that both the words are often followed by the preposition ‘of’.

• When talking about people you use the word abuse not misuse.

These are the differences between the two words, namely, abuse and misuse.