Drug use

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Drug use

Drug use (/drʌɡ juːs/) refers to the consumption of substances that alter one's physical or mental state. In most cases, these substances are classified as psychoactive drugs and can be legal (such as alcohol or nicotine), or illegal (such as cannabis or cocaine).

Etymology

The term "drug" originates from the Old French word "drogue", possibly derived from the Middle Dutch word "droge-vate" (dry barrels), referring to medicinal plants stored in them. The term "use" comes from the Old French word "user", meaning "to use, employ, exploit".

Types of Drug Use

Drug use can be categorized into several types:

  • Recreational drug use: This is the use of drugs primarily for recreational purposes, and not for medical or therapeutic reasons.
  • Medicinal drug use: This refers to the use of drugs prescribed by a medical professional to treat or prevent illness.
  • Substance abuse: This is the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Related Terms

  • Drug addiction: A chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.
  • Drug tolerance: A state of progressively decreased responsiveness to a drug as a result of which a larger dose of the drug is needed to achieve the effect originally produced by a smaller dose.
  • Drug withdrawal: Symptoms that occur upon the abrupt discontinuation or decrease in intake of medications or recreational drugs.
  • Overdose: The ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced.

See Also

External links

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