Substance misuse

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Substance misuse

Substance misuse (pronounced: /ˈsʌbstəns mɪsˈjuːz/), also known as substance abuse or drug abuse, refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Etymology

The term "substance misuse" is a combination of the words "substance" and "misuse". "Substance" originates from the Latin word "substantia", meaning "essence, material". "Misuse" comes from the Old French "mesuser", meaning "to use improperly".

Definition

Substance misuse is defined as the use of a substance for purposes not consistent with legal or medical guidelines. It has potentially harmful psychological, physical and social consequences.

Related Terms

  • Addiction: A psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.
  • Dependence: A state in which there is a compulsive or chronic need, beyond voluntary control, to use a substance.
  • Withdrawal: The combination of physical and mental effects that a person experiences after they stop using or reduce their intake of a substance such as alcohol and prescription or recreational drugs.
  • Rehabilitation: The process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency on substances such as alcohol and 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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