Substance Abuse and Dependence
- Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others.
- Drug dependence is an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration, and which results in withdrawal upon cessation of drug use.
- Drug addiction, a distinct concept from substance dependence, is defined as compulsive, out-of-control drug use, despite negative consequences.
